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American Men’s Tennis Honored By the Patriot League
Hamori Named Player of the Year, Blackman Coach of the Year

May 7, 2002

Patriot League Player of the Year Bence Hamori prepares to lead the Eagles in the NCAA Tournament where American faces Duke in the first round on May 11.

WASHINGTON — The American University men’s tennis team’s remarkable season was recognized today by the Patriot League as the post-season awards were announced. Senior Bence Hamori (Budapest, Hungary/Budapest U. of Physical Ed.) was named Player of the Year while classmate Josh Procacci (Naples, Fla./Community School of Naples) joined him on the All-League squad. Head coach Martin Blackman was named the league’s Coach of the Year.

Hamori became the program’s first-ever Player of the Year, playing first singles all season for the Eagles. He posted an overall record of 17-7, which included a nine-match winning streak. Hamori won the first singles at the Patriot League’s individual championship in the fall. He also has a 12-3 doubles record this season with classmate Procacci. This is Hamori’s second career league honor, as he was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Second Team last year.

Joining Hamori on the All-League squad is fellow senior Josh Procacci. Playing at second singles this year, Procacci posted an impressive 22-6 record, including a 13-4 mark in the spring. Procacci captured the Patriot League third singles crown in the fall and had an eight-match winning streak in the spring.

Coach Blackman wins his second consecutive Coach of the Year honor, having been named the CAA Coach of the Year in 2001. Blackman guided the Eagles to a school-record 19-1 mark this season, including a perfect 6-0 in Patriot League action. In only his third season as head coach, Blackman has guided the squad to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The team currently has won 16 straight matches.

The Eagles, who are currently ranked No. 75 by the ITA, take on Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. in Durham, N.C.

American University is concluding its inaugural year as a member of the Patriot League. The University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men.