Austin Peay State University Athletics

Men’s Tennis
Inducted 1993

Noel Phillips perhaps is not only Austin Peay’s greatest men’s tennis player in history but also the OVC's as well. The Sydney, Australia native led APSU to its greatest tennis successes. During his four-season (1971-74) career, he owned a 75-26 lifetime singles mark, including 20-3 as a junior at No. 1 singles and 25-6 as a senior. He was OVC Men’s Player of the Year both seasons. In 1973, he won the conference singles championships and teamed with Jorge Jimenez as the upset doubles champions, leading Austin Peay to a second-place finish. Not only did he capture the OVC singles championship in 1974, Phillips led the Govs to an 18-3 record and their only OVC team championship. The Governors also finished tied for 23rd in the 1974 NCAA tournament held at the University of Southern California. The versatile Phillips also played golf and participated in cross-country during his career. Following his senior season, Phillips was named the Joy Award recipient as the University’s most valuable senior athlete. Phillips continued his tennis career after leaving APSU in 1974. He turned professional and was once ranked in the world’s top 100 tennis players. Phillips also was ranked among Australia’s top 15 players at a time when Australians dominated the tennis game. Currently, Phillips serves as a club pro back home in Australia.