John Hunter Named Tennis Coach

MARS HILL, N.C. - John Hunter has been named the new Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Mars Hill College, Athletic Director David Riggins announced today. Hunter replaces Jared Camerota who served in the position since 2009. Camerota is taking a position teaching tennis.

Riggins stated, "We are fortunate to have Coach Hunter available to immediately fill the shoes as our head tennis coach. His tennis resume is noteworthy and when you combine it with his passion for working with young people, you have a quality coach. The fact that he has been affiliated with Lion tennis since 2012 makes the transition seamless."

Hunter was the assistant men's and women's tennis coach at Mars Hill since the fall of 2010. In 2011 Coach Camerota and Coach Hunter helped guide the women's team to the SAC conference finals and coached two-time conference player of the year Erica Pinate. A native of Texarkana, Texas, John played tennis at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. Coach Hunter graduated from the University of Arkansas Little Rock with a double major in psychology and professional and technical writing. He later received an additional bachelor's degree in Nutrition at the University of Central Arkansas.

Hunter stated, "I would like to thank David Riggins for giving me the opportunity to lead the Mars Hill tennis teams. In the three seasons I've been assistant coach I've become very close to the team and can't wait to get to work. These young men and women compete hard and I'm eager to get into the SAC fight with them. There are many players, staff members and Mars Hill devotees who recommended me for this job and to them I am forever grateful. Coach Camerota did a great job leading this team and made school history by guiding the ladies squad to the conference finals in 2011. I hope to lead with the same passion and dedication. My wife Lori and I are proud to wear the blue and gold of the hungry Lions."

John and his wife Lori moved to Asheville in 2010 where he was the Head Pro at the Hendersonville Sports Club until the summer of 2012. John and Lori run the Potential Tennis Academy in Asheville and sit on the board of the Asheville Tennis Association.

John coached at Jesseville High School, in Jesseville, Ark., for three seasons leading them to two State Championships in 1998 and 2000. John was Head Tennis Pro at the Coronado Tennis Center in Hot Springs Village, Ark., for four years and ran one of the most successful junior programs in the state, coaching several state and sectionally ranked players and junior Davis Cup competitors. Many of his students went on to play college tennis throughout the South. While in Hot Springs Village, John was also the Tournament Director for the Senior Olympics' National Tournament.

Coach Hunter moved to Destin, Florida in 2001 and became Tennis Director at the Destin Athletic Center until it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. John then became the Tennis Director at the Pensacola Athletic Center soon after and coached his USTA 2.5 ladies team to the National finals in 2008.

John and his wife Lori currently live in Asheville, N.C. Lori is also a certified tennis professional.