Alcorn Tennis Announces Lola Oredugba as Head Coach

Men's Tennis | 11/2/2022 1:30:00 PM

LORMAN, Miss. – It was announced Wednesday, Nov. 2, that Lola Oredugba will be the new head coach for Alcorn Tennis for both the men's and women's programs. The announcement came from Raynoid Dedeaux, Alcorn Director of Athletics.
 
Lola Oredugba arrives to the Lorman-based campus of Alcorn State University after serving the previous four years at Tennessee State University in Nashville.
 
"I am pleased to have Coach Lola here in Lorman leading our Braves," said Dedeaux. "Her knowledge of the game of tennis; her enthusiasm; her spirit; and more importantly, her ability to guide young men and women on and off the court showed us she was certainly the right choice to be our next head coach."
 
While at TSU, Oredugba managed coaching the men's and women's programs for the Tigers. She helped serve "Big Blue" in several areas, including but not limited to recruiting, scheduling, electing ITA officials, budgets and financing, scholarships, compliance, academics and more.
 
"Athletics and Academics have been driving factors my entire life," expressed Oredugba. "The sport of tennis has allowed me to love and appreciate both.
 
"I'm so excited to join the Braves Family, and for the opportunity to lead the next group of student-athletes to become champions on and off the court. Always Alcorn!"
 
During the COVID-threatened 2019-20 season, Oredugba oversaw No. 1 women's singles player Aarishi Kakkar register a 6-4 overall record for the season, including a 4-2 mark at the number one singles spot. That proceeded the 2018-19 season in which Kakkar turned in a 9-7 record in singles, including a 7-6 mark at the top position for the Tigers.

Oredugba spent time in the pro circuits, competing on four of the world's continents and has used time across the previous decade to begin and grow her own wellness company, training, conditioning, and coaching tennis. She played professionally in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia from 2013-2016.
 
The Richmond Heights, Missouri native is the first African American female from the area to play professional tennis. Oredugba worked with the city mayor Jim Thomson, USTA, ATA and Tennis Legends to dedicate a park on the land where a young Arthur Ashe practiced becoming the legendary three-time grand slam title holder, and his coach Richard Hudlin.
 
Lola Oredugba is a graduate of Tennessee State, having played for "Big Blue" from 2002-06 as a student-athlete, earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2006. She also holds certifications in Human Resource Information System and Professional Tennis Registry.
 
Oredugba is set to begin her duties as head coach at once.
 
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