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**Release courtesy of UW-Whitewater Sports Information

WHITEWATER, Wis.–The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is proud to announce the hiring of Byron Balkin as the new head coach of the Warhawk men’s and women’s tennis programs.

A 2014 UW-Whitewater graduate, Balkin returns to his alma mater with a strong record of leadership and competitive success. He most recently served as the head tennis coach at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia from 2018-25, where he led the program to the second-highest win total in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference over that span.

Prior to his time at HSC, Balkin spent eight years in Whitewater. From 2014-18, Balkin served as the assistant under longtime head coach Frank Barnes. Balkin was also a member of the Warhawk tennis team from 2010-14. 

“I am excited for Byron to become the next head coach at UW-Whitewater,” said Athletic Director Ryan Callahan. “As a former player and assistant coach here at UWW, Byron understands what it takes to continue the legacy that Ron Wangerin built and Frank Barnes continued to elevate for the past 23 years.”

As an assistant for the Warhawk tennis program, Balkin helped guide UW-Whitewater to eight NCAA Division III tournament appearances and four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. He was named the Wilson/ITA Women’s Tennis National Assistant Coach of the Year and the Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year (men’s and women’s) in 2016. That year, the UWW men’s and women’s teams advanced to the NCAA’s Round of 16 while three singles players and a women’s doubles team qualified for the NCAA Individual Championship. 

“The hiring of Byron Balkin will go down as a great move for Warhawk Tennis,” added former Coach Frank Barnes.  “Coach Balkin understands the culture here at UWW and knows what it takes to win here. He bleeds purple and it was only a matter of time before he returned back home to his roots. A phenomenal athlete and coach while here, he went on to elevate the program at HSC to its first national ranking when given the opportunity to run his own program. He has all the tools necessary to bring the athletes here to their full potential.”

Balkin was a standout on the court for the Warhawks. A three-time All-American, Balkin compiled over 170 singles and doubles victories during his phenomenal four-year career. He played a role in four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances including a Round of 16 finish in 2011. 

Balkin earned a bachelor’s degree in integrated business and science and a Master’s in higher education with an emphasis in athletic administration — both from UW-Whitewater. 

“I am honored and excited to accept the position as the next head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis programs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater,” said Balkin. “I would like to thank Chancellor Corey A. King, Athletic Director Ryan Callahan, and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity and for their confidence in me. UW-Whitewater has a storied tradition of athletic and academic excellence, and I look forward to building on that foundation with our outstanding student-athletes.”

“I also want to extend my sincere congratulations to Coach Frank Barnes on an exceptional career,” Balkin continued. “His contributions to Warhawk Tennis have been remarkable and it’s a true privilege to follow in his footsteps. I’m eager to get started and proud to be a part of the Warhawk family. Go Warhawks!”

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