University of Minnesota Athletics
MTN: David Wheaton Named Interim Men's Tennis Coach
3/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
"We are extremely happy to gain the services of David Wheaton during this time of uncertainty in the Golden Gopher men's tennis program," Maturi said. "With David's wealth of experience in tennis and beyond, the Minnesota men's tennis team will certainly be in good hands."
Wheaton is currently an author, radio talk show host, and inspirational speaker. His first book, University of Destruction - Your Game Plan for Spiritual Victory on Campus, is due out in April 2005 by Bethany House. He is also the host of the weekly radio program, The David Wheaton Show, on KKMS AM 980.
As a tennis player, Wheaton played his first tournament as an eight-year-old, and won the Minnesota State High School tennis title in 1984 as a ninth grader. In 1987, he finished his junior tennis and academic career with the No. 1 junior ranking in the U.S., winning the U.S. Open Junior Championships.Wheaton later helped Stanford garner the NCAA team title in 1988, and received the Block S award as the most outstanding freshman athlete at Stanford. He turned professional on Independence Day in 1988.
As a professional, Wheaton played thirteen years on the Tour and achieved a career high world ranking of number 12 in 1991.He won the largest prize money event in tennis--the Grand Slam Cup--in Munich in 1991. Wheaton had his best career results in the Grand Slam events, reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1991 and the quarterfinals of both the 1990 U.S. and Australian Opens.He also represented the U.S. in Davis Cup competition. In all, Wheaton won three singles and three doubles tournaments on Tour and earned more than $5 million in prize money.
Wheaton currently plays professionally part-time, serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Tennis Association and is a contributing writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Wheaton was born in Minneapolis on June 2, 1969, and currently lives in Tonka Bay, Minn.
