Mark Milner is in his fifth season in 2012-13 as an assistant coach under Beck Meares at Metro State, helping with both the men's and women's teams.
During his fourth season as head coach in 2011-12, he helped lead the men's
team back to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th time in school history and the second time during his tenure. The team posted a 16-11 record overall and finished third at the RMAC Tournament. Senior Lucio Cangiano, who won the ITA Central Region singles championship in the fall for the second straight year, was named first team All-RMAC for singles and broke the school's single season singles wins record, going 22-11.
The women's team went 12-14 overall and finished fourth at the RMAC Tournament in 2011-12. Junior Alicia Holm was a first team all-conference selection for singles.
Four women's players and two men's players were named Academic All-RMAC in 2011-12. Additionally, three men's and three women's players were named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (3.5 GPA or higher) during the fall semester, and three women's and two men's players earned that distinction during the spring.
Milner helped the women's team to an 11-9 season in 2011, including 4-2 in the RMAC. The women finished third at the RMAC Tournament, led by three underclassmen who earned all-conference honors, including junior Nadia Khamis, sophomore Sam Schall and freshman Nikki Amos. The team won four of its final five matches of the season to set the tone for the upcoming 2012 season.
The men's team battled a lack of depth for the second straight season with just six players on the spring roster. Despite finishing 10-11 overall and 3-3 in the RMAC, the Roadrunners were strong at the top of the lineup with No. 1 singles player Cangiano, who won the fall ITA Central Region singles championship. Cangiano carried that success into the spring, earning all-conference honors, along with freshman Adrien Delvaux and senior Ross Gelina.
Metro State's teams were strong in the classroom as well as men's player Ryan Joyce and women's player Sam Schall were both named first team Academic All-RMAC in 2011.
In his second season in 2010, Milner helped guide an injury-plagued men's team to a 6-10 mark, including 2-4 in the RMAC. The Roadrunners lost their No. 1 singles player to a season-ending injury in February after he reached the quarterfinals of the ITA Central Region Tournament in the fall. Meares' team spent the rest of the season trying to fill those shoes as each player had to move up a spot in the lineup.
Despite the injury, Georgie Perez, who took over at No. 1 singles, earned first team All-RMAC honors for singles and teamed with Ross Gelina for first team honors in doubles as well. Gelina was a second team singles selection.
The women's team posted a 7-12 record and was 2-4 in the RMAC after losing three of its top four singles players from 2009. No. 1 singles player Yerica Pessoa was named first team All-RMAC in 2010 and she teamed with April Hirad for first team honors in doubles. Hirad was a first team Academic All-RMAC selection as well.
In his first season in 2009, both squads reached the NCAA Tournament and the men finished the season with a perfect 8-0 conference mark and 17-5 overall, reaching the round of 16 at the NCAA Tournament. The women posted their best record since 2003-04, going 14-15 overall.
Milner joined the staff after finishing his playing career in 2007 at Metro State. After playing two years at Johnson County Community College, where he was named NJCAA All-America, he transferred to the Roadrunners and became one of the best doubles players in school history. He was named first team All-RMAC at No. 4 singles in 2006 and 2007 and second team All-RMAC at No. 2 doubles both years. He finished his two-year career second in Metro State history in doubles winning percentage and ninth in career doubles wins, going 40-10 (.800) in his two years. He also had a career singles record of 34-14 (.708). Also an excellent student, Milner was a two-time Academic All-RMAC honoree.
Milner is a USPTA member and has been coaching tennis for six years. He has taught many kids and adults with sectional and national rankings at places such as the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas, and Overland Park Racquet Club in Overland Park, Kan.
He graduated from Metro State with a bachelor's degree in human performance and sport.
