AVILA HIRES DEREK HOWARD TO LEAD TENNIS PROGRAMS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila University has hired Derek Howard as the next head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis programs, the school announced today.

“Derek brings a wealth of coaching experience and will fit in perfectly in our office and on campus,” said Shawn Summe, Avila’s Vice President of Athletics and Student Affairs/Chief Mission Integration Officer. “He will create a program where student-athletes will have fun competing while learning to produce at a high level. Derek has coached some of our current student-athletes in high school and those students spoke very highly of Derek during this process.”

Howard has spent the last 11 years as the head tennis coach at Raymore-Peculiar (Mo.) High School.

“I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to coach at Avila University,” said Howard. “I want to thank Dr. Jett and Shawn Summe for this opportunity. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, making the tennis program an experience that our student-athletes will take pride in and never forget.”

The Ray-Pec tennis program has seen great success on and off the court under Howard, who led the girl’s program to two district titles and the first conference championship in school history in 2022. Howard has produced eight total Missouri state qualifiers and was instrumental in the construction of the RPHS Tennis Complex prior to the 2022 season.

A lifelong educator and coach, Howard has also spent 10 seasons as a men’s collegiate basketball assistant coach, including at Johnson County Community College from 2012-20.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Howard is a graduate of McMaster University – where he was a member of the men’s basketball program – and received his Master’s from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2006. Howard has two children, Morgan and Madison and currently resides in Raymore.

Entering its third year as a growing program, Howard will hit the ground running with the Eagles.