July 17, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; July 17, 2007 -- Buffy Baker, women's tennis coach at Penn State for the last eight seasons, has resigned due to personal reasons.
"I am forever grateful to Penn State for providing me with the opportunity to learn, dream, educate and grow," Baker said. "I leave Penn State with many wonderful memories and experiences that were made possible through the generous support and trust of this athletics family. However, at this time, I am choosing to focus more time on my family. My husband, Eric, has recently completed his doctorate and has accepted a job in Nashville, which will allow me to move closer to my family. It is just an opportunity that we could not pass up."
"Buffy contributed greatly to the skill and personal development of our women's tennis players over the last eight years," Associate Athletics Director Sue Delaney-Scheetz said. "We will miss the enthusiasm, optimism and work ethic that she brought to the program. We wish Buffy and her family all the best in the years ahead and thank her for all of her contributions to Penn State."
Baker posted a 70-104 record in eight seasons in Happy Valley. During her tenure, the Nittany Lions made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and posted their best Big Ten regular-season finish in school history.
In just her second year at the helm (2000-01), Baker led Penn State into unprecedented territory as the Nittany Lions went 5-5 in Big Ten regular season play, its best-ever finish in conference play. The team also went 2-1 in the Big Ten Tournament, advancing to the semifinals for the first time in school history. With a 15-9 record in the regular season, Penn State earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The Blue and White finished the campaign with a 15-10 mark and had two first team All-Big Ten selections for the first time in school history.
An outstanding player in her own right, Baker has a long and prestigious list of accolades. She was inducted into the Florida State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. She won FSU's women's tennis Most Valuable Player Award four straight years. A Seminole fixture at No. 1 singles and doubles, Baker achieved a national singles ranking of No. 37 and a doubles ranking of No. 17. An excellent example of the collegiate athlete, Baker also won the Southeast Region Sportsmanship Award as a senior.
Delaney-Scheetz said a national search for Baker's replacement will begin immediately.