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MAY 24, 2008EYDLER INDUCTED INTO LUZERNE COUNTY HALL OF FAME
WILKES-BARRE -- On Sunday, May 18, long-time King's College tennis coach Bill Eydler was inducted into the 2008 Class of the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame held at the Genetti Hotel and Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre.
Eydler recently completed his 29th season at King's, having led the Monarchs to a fine 361-257 record in his career. Eydler came to King's with an outstanding background in tennis. Over the last 33 years, he has been the Tennis Director of the City of Wilkes-Barre. Eydler is also a well-known tennis official, tournament director and a USTA/NTRP Verifier. Eydler also owns and operates Eydler Sports a tennis court construction and tennis supply business. He is also a certified racket stringer.
He began his coaching career at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa. and led his team to the Northeastern Pa. High School Tennis League title in 1972. After his tenure at Wyoming Seminary, he then returned to coach his alma-mater, Wilkes-Barre Meyers, for three years before coming to King's.
Enjoying a highly successful tenure at King's, Eydler has led the Monarchs to a number of MAC division and league titles over his career, including the 2000 MAC overall championship. Eydler also coached King's to the MAC Freedom and overall runner-up spot in 2001 and playoffs in 2002,2006 and 2007.
In 1992 Eydler's top two players, Bill Mendler and Mike Ungvarsky were honored with selection to the NCAA III national tournament at Emory University in Atlanta. In 1994 Eydler coached Maria Adonizio to the MAC Women's singles championship and Jim Zimmerman and Joe Brown to the Men's Doubles title. He also coached Vlad Handl to the 2000 MAC singles championship and was named MAC Freedom "Coach of the Year."
Under Eydler, Mike Portonova won the MAC singles titles as a freshman, sophomore and junior in 2005,2006 and 2007 while teaming with Nick Hojsack to win the 2006 and 2007 MAC doubles titles. Every year many members of both the Men's and women's tennis teams achieve top scholar athlete awards for the MAC Conference as well as the NCAA III.
"I was moved and humbled by the honor of being selected for my work in tennis both as a coach and in the community," Eydler stated. "It was wonderful to be honored by the local sports community. With over 300 people at the banquet it was a very rewarding experience and with 50 people from King's and the local tennis communities in attendance, it was a memorable evening. Having been a part of the area tennis scene for so long, the night brought back many memories as well as many people who have been a part of it all. I am proud to have been inducted into the 2008 class of the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame and am thankful for all the wonderful people I have come in contact with through tennis over the span all these years."
An accomplished player, Eydler has won many tournaments on the local level as well as in the Northeast. In 1981, he was named to the Advisory Board of Four Star Tennis Academy and has served as an officer in the Lehigh Valley Tennis Association, a division of the USTA, for several years.
In 1986, he was honored with the selection of State Tennis Director of the Keystone State Games, retiring from the position in 1989. For the second time in his tenure at King's, Eydler was honored by the LVTA as the 1990 Outstanding Coach of the Year, an award he had previously received in 1983.
Eydler received his BA degree from King's in 1970 and earned his Master's degree in Physical Education Administration from Columbia Pacific University in 1982. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Ansted University, British Virgin Islands of UK for meritorious contributions in coaching and athletic administration, 2004.
Eydler retired in June of 2006 as a Math Specialist in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Coach Eydler and his wife Diane reside in Wilkes-Barre.
King's College
133 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
1 (888) KINGS PA
Questions or comments to: Bob Ziadie, King's College Sports Information Director
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