Norfolk, Va. – The Norfolk State Athletics Department announced today that Peter Banas has been named the head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs.

Banas comes to NSU after spending over four years with Fordham University's women's tennis program, where he served as an assistant coach from 2017-19 and the associate head coach from 2019-21. He was also a part of the Sacred Heart University coaching staff for one year in 2016. 

"Becoming the head coach for the men's and women's tennis teams at Norfolk State University is a dream come true for which I have worked for 30 years," Banas said. "I believe that through discipline, education, and commitment, anything is possible."

Within a span of five years, Banas played a pivotal role in the Fordham women's tennis team's transformation from unranked in NCAA D1 National Team Ranking to one of the top 75 programs in the nation. Banas developed players by overseeing practices, managing the team budget, and organizing fundraiser pro-am tournaments.

While at Fordham, Banas handled important recruiting duties to bring prospective student athletes to the program, including scouting national and international tournaments. In 2019, he helped the Rams bring in two four-star recruits according to TennisRecruiting.net, the highest-ranked class in the Atlantic 10.

"We are delighted to welcome Peter to the Spartan family to serve as the head coach for our men's and women's programs," said NSU Athletics Director Melody Webb. "He brings a terrific blend of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels of tennis, and I am confident he will successfully maximize our student-athletes' abilities on the court and in the classroom."

As an assistant coach for Sacred Heart, Banas ran women's and men's team practices and performed major recruiting duties. He prepared the schedules for the fall and spring seasons and organized pro-am tennis tournaments in Fairfield County.

Before joining the staff at Sacred Heart, Banas served as head tennis professional at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy from 2015 to 2017. During his time with the academy, Banas coached and advised Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska (career-high No. 2 in WTA rankings), French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko (No. 5), Japan Open champion Christina McHale (No. 24), and Junior Wimbledon Champion Noah Rubin. He was also McEnroe's hitting partner during the latter's stint on the ATP Senior Tour.

Prior to entering the coaching realm, Banas enjoyed a decorated playing career at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Banas ranked among the top 25 of Division I players, earning All-America honors and eventually gaining points on the ATP singles and doubles tour. Banas graduated from UL Lafayette with a bachelor's degree in sports management in 2010 and completed his MBA in 2015.