Anastopoulo Announces Retirement
4/28/2026 12:13:00 PM | Women's Tennis
CHARLESTON, S.C. – After 35 years as the head coach of the College of Charleston women's tennis team and 24 years as The College's Director of Tennis, Angelo Anastopoulo has announced his retirement.
Anastopoulo began his 34th season and became the longest tenured coach at The College in the fall of 2024, passing legendary coach Ralph Lundy, who led the men's soccer program for 33 seasons.
"What I've learned over the course of my career is that it takes a village to run a successful program," said Anastopoulo. "I want to thank the many people and staff who helped our players physically and academically, the individual who strung all of our rackets, the staff at Patriots Point, the groundskeepers, the generous donors, the wonderful alumni, all the tennis officials and the many talented assistant coaches who helped coach our teams."
Over the course of his vaunted career, Anastopoulo has compiled an impressive overall coaching record of 793-353 (.692). His record with the women's team over the past 35 years is a remarkable 621-274 (.694). He ranks eighth all-time among NCAA Division I women's tennis head coaches in career victories (621) and is in the top-40 all-time in winning percentage (.692).
"The years of service Coach Anastopoulo has given not only to the College of Charleston, but the Charleston community and collegiate tennis as a whole is truly amazing," said Director of Athletics Matt Roberts. "He has positively impacted the lives of so many young people through tennis. We will be forever grateful for the lasting legacy he will leave behind."
On March 29, 2025, Anastopoulo earned his 600th career win with a 4-3 victory over UNCW, becoming just the ninth coach in NCAA Division I women's tennis history to reach this mark.
On March 5, 2023, Anastopoulo passed former CofC men's basketball coach John Kresse for the most wins (561) with one program at the College of Charleston. He has since increased that number to 621 victories.
On April 20th, 2018, Anastopoulo claimed his 500th career women's tennis coaching victory, putting him in a class all by himself as the only NCAA Division I women's tennis coach in the state of South Carolina to reach the 500-win milestone.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Coach for his three decades of service to the College of Charleston," said Senior Associate Director of Athletics Jerry Baker. "With over 600 wins, he is an icon of college tennis. He has been an unbelievable leader and touched so many lives"
Anastopoulo has won eight conference Coach of the Year awards in addition to being named the 2009 ITA Southeast Region Coach of the Year. He's also made six NCAA Tournament appearances and won seven conference titles.
He claims his success is not his alone, but a collaboration of all the people he has surrounded himself with over the years.
"My two biggest confidantes and friends at the College have been Volunteer Coach Billy Silcox and Men's Coach Jay Bruner," said Anastopoulo. "I have known Coach Silcox since I was a little boy playing tennis at The Peggy Bohne Tennis Center in West Ashley. Without his guidance and mentorship, I would never have succeeded at the College. He has always been the voice of reason and his experience is immeasurable. He's been like a father to me, and I will miss seeing him on a daily basis more than anything. I've been working with Coach Jay [Bruner] for twenty years - he has been a first class, loyal friend and a blessing to work with. We get along so well. We have always split the responsibilities of running a college tennis complex together, and he has made mundane, repetitive tasks bearable. We have had some very deep and meaningful conversations over the years. CofC is very blessed to have him, and I will miss him like a brother."
Present for some of the most prominent moments in Cougar tennis history, Anastopoulo helped design the College of Charleston Tennis Center, which originally opened in 2004, helping bring top talent to Charleston. On September 9, 2024, the program officially opened the renovated tennis center, renaming the building to the Turner Tennis Center after a program-changing gift was made by the Turner family for the project.
"I'd like to thank the parents who entrusted me with their children," said Anastopoulo. "I hope the program taught them life lessons, not only about the game of tennis, but how to be compassionate and giving individuals. Winning is awesome, but academics and contributing back to the community is even better."
"To my players, I'd like to say thank you for keeping me young and on my toes over the years! I've tried to keep up with technology, fashion, tv shows, significant others, academic work, family matters and pets. Some of my most memorable moments are not of those on the court, but the ones dealing with the individual relationships I have nurtured over the years. It's been more than wins and losses and championships. It's been seeing these student athletes as my children. It's a great feeling to see that child grow and mature, get married and have their own children. These young men and women are my family and they have truly sustained me over my career."
Along with his tremendous efforts in the NCAA and at CofC, Anastopoulo has been a College of Charleston adjunct faculty member for the last 34 years. In this role, he teaches the beginners tennis activity classes and has taught over 3,000 students throughout his time.
"I've taught beginning tennis classes at the College for 34 years, which means I've taught over 3,000 students," said Anastopoulo. "My students keep me humble and remind me about the love of the game and why I keep teaching for all the right reasons."
One of Coach Anastopoulo's most significant accomplishments at The College occurred in 1996 when his women's team captured the Trans America Athletic Conference championship title for the first time in school history. It marked the first NCAA Division I conference title for a women's team at CofC as he was tabbed 1996 TAAC Coach of the Year.
Academically, Anastopoulo's squads have been consistently strong in the classroom with a plethora of CofC Honors College student-athletes who have helped the Cougars earn ITA All-Academic Team honors, the highest team grade-point average of all varsity sports teams at CofC and recognition by the NCAA in its annual 2013 Public Recognition Awards for schools ranking in the top 10 percent of all Division I teams in their respective sport. For six straight years under Anastopoulo's watch, CofC has earned the NCAA Public Recognition Award, which recognizes teams with an NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate in the top 10% among all squads in their respective sports. During that period, the Cougars have earned ITA All-Academic honors in 29 of the last 30 seasons, including 70 individual academic honors.
Anastopoulo, a Charleston native, was a tennis standout at Middleton High School and The Citadel. He was a nine-time state champion at Middleton, and earned all-conference, all-state and All-American honors.
As The Citadel team captain in 1989, he led the Bulldogs to a school record 22-4 season and a second-place Southern Conference finish. For his efforts, he earned Most Valuable Player honors. While at the Citadel, he was also a national mixed doubles champion. Upon graduation, Anastopoulo played several professional tournaments including qualifying for the Lipton International Players Championship - now renamed the NASDAQ 100 - before becoming a tennis professional at the Charleston Tennis Center, where he coached several South Carolina State Champions.
Hailing from a tennis-oriented family in the Charleston community, his brothers, Arthur and Akim, played at the University of South Carolina and the University of Louisville respectively. Akim is a former tennis head coach at The Citadel. Meanwhile, Anastopoulo's sister, Patti, played on the first College of Charleston women's tennis team from 1974-78. Anastopoulo resides in Charleston with his wife, the former Paula Vallas, and their two sons, Ted and Stratas. Ted earned a Master's Degree in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University and is now at Princeton and pursuing his PHD. Stratas is a recent graduate of Newberry College and is the Lead Tennis Professional at Seabrook Island Club.
"My number one recruit has always been my wonderful and supportive wife, Paula," said Anastopoulo. "She's been with me for all the ups and downs and for the entirety of our marriage, I have been a coach at the College. I've had to travel a lot, especially when I was coaching both the men's and women's teams at the same time. I had to leave town only one day after our youngest son was born to go play a match. Through it all, she's held down the fort. She helps me with everything, whether it be the parent party, alumni matches, cookouts for the players, team Christmas parties, senior day, hosting recruits, she does it all. To my two great sons, Ted and Stratas, thank you for being patient with me. I've enjoyed watching you two grow up on the CofC courts, and I'm sorry I had to miss so many events when you were in school. I hope to attend every big event in your lives from now on.
I have the most supportive family. We are Greek and yes it's true we are entwined in each other's lives, but in a good way. They have always been there for me, and it a great day when I can look up in the stands and see them all there cheering on the team. My ninety-one-year-old mother has been to countless matches, She's developed special relationships with the girls over the years. The players even call her YiaYia. She's one-of-a-kind and my biggest promoter. She was at the last home match I coached, and I got really emotional about it. My brothers Arthur and Akim have been great sources of inspiration, as they were both college tennis players themselves. Akim was also a college coach, so he's given me a lot of useful advice over the years and he's always there for me.
In 1991 when I was first hired, my sister Patti, who played on the first CofC women's tennis team, told me, 'Angelo, don't mess this up!' From my first day stepping on the courts on Burns Lane from 1991-2003 and then racing up the steps to the beautiful Turner Tennis Center at Patriots Point, I would say to myself, 'Don't mess this up!' That's been my goal for the last 35 years. Don't mess this up..."
ANASTOPOULO CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
For complete coverage of Charleston women's tennis, follow us on X (CofCTennis) and Instagram (CofCWomensTennis).
Anastopoulo began his 34th season and became the longest tenured coach at The College in the fall of 2024, passing legendary coach Ralph Lundy, who led the men's soccer program for 33 seasons.
"What I've learned over the course of my career is that it takes a village to run a successful program," said Anastopoulo. "I want to thank the many people and staff who helped our players physically and academically, the individual who strung all of our rackets, the staff at Patriots Point, the groundskeepers, the generous donors, the wonderful alumni, all the tennis officials and the many talented assistant coaches who helped coach our teams."
Over the course of his vaunted career, Anastopoulo has compiled an impressive overall coaching record of 793-353 (.692). His record with the women's team over the past 35 years is a remarkable 621-274 (.694). He ranks eighth all-time among NCAA Division I women's tennis head coaches in career victories (621) and is in the top-40 all-time in winning percentage (.692).
"The years of service Coach Anastopoulo has given not only to the College of Charleston, but the Charleston community and collegiate tennis as a whole is truly amazing," said Director of Athletics Matt Roberts. "He has positively impacted the lives of so many young people through tennis. We will be forever grateful for the lasting legacy he will leave behind."
On March 29, 2025, Anastopoulo earned his 600th career win with a 4-3 victory over UNCW, becoming just the ninth coach in NCAA Division I women's tennis history to reach this mark.
On March 5, 2023, Anastopoulo passed former CofC men's basketball coach John Kresse for the most wins (561) with one program at the College of Charleston. He has since increased that number to 621 victories.
On April 20th, 2018, Anastopoulo claimed his 500th career women's tennis coaching victory, putting him in a class all by himself as the only NCAA Division I women's tennis coach in the state of South Carolina to reach the 500-win milestone.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Coach for his three decades of service to the College of Charleston," said Senior Associate Director of Athletics Jerry Baker. "With over 600 wins, he is an icon of college tennis. He has been an unbelievable leader and touched so many lives"
Anastopoulo has won eight conference Coach of the Year awards in addition to being named the 2009 ITA Southeast Region Coach of the Year. He's also made six NCAA Tournament appearances and won seven conference titles.
He claims his success is not his alone, but a collaboration of all the people he has surrounded himself with over the years.
"My two biggest confidantes and friends at the College have been Volunteer Coach Billy Silcox and Men's Coach Jay Bruner," said Anastopoulo. "I have known Coach Silcox since I was a little boy playing tennis at The Peggy Bohne Tennis Center in West Ashley. Without his guidance and mentorship, I would never have succeeded at the College. He has always been the voice of reason and his experience is immeasurable. He's been like a father to me, and I will miss seeing him on a daily basis more than anything. I've been working with Coach Jay [Bruner] for twenty years - he has been a first class, loyal friend and a blessing to work with. We get along so well. We have always split the responsibilities of running a college tennis complex together, and he has made mundane, repetitive tasks bearable. We have had some very deep and meaningful conversations over the years. CofC is very blessed to have him, and I will miss him like a brother."
Present for some of the most prominent moments in Cougar tennis history, Anastopoulo helped design the College of Charleston Tennis Center, which originally opened in 2004, helping bring top talent to Charleston. On September 9, 2024, the program officially opened the renovated tennis center, renaming the building to the Turner Tennis Center after a program-changing gift was made by the Turner family for the project.
"I'd like to thank the parents who entrusted me with their children," said Anastopoulo. "I hope the program taught them life lessons, not only about the game of tennis, but how to be compassionate and giving individuals. Winning is awesome, but academics and contributing back to the community is even better."
"To my players, I'd like to say thank you for keeping me young and on my toes over the years! I've tried to keep up with technology, fashion, tv shows, significant others, academic work, family matters and pets. Some of my most memorable moments are not of those on the court, but the ones dealing with the individual relationships I have nurtured over the years. It's been more than wins and losses and championships. It's been seeing these student athletes as my children. It's a great feeling to see that child grow and mature, get married and have their own children. These young men and women are my family and they have truly sustained me over my career."
Along with his tremendous efforts in the NCAA and at CofC, Anastopoulo has been a College of Charleston adjunct faculty member for the last 34 years. In this role, he teaches the beginners tennis activity classes and has taught over 3,000 students throughout his time.
"I've taught beginning tennis classes at the College for 34 years, which means I've taught over 3,000 students," said Anastopoulo. "My students keep me humble and remind me about the love of the game and why I keep teaching for all the right reasons."
One of Coach Anastopoulo's most significant accomplishments at The College occurred in 1996 when his women's team captured the Trans America Athletic Conference championship title for the first time in school history. It marked the first NCAA Division I conference title for a women's team at CofC as he was tabbed 1996 TAAC Coach of the Year.
Academically, Anastopoulo's squads have been consistently strong in the classroom with a plethora of CofC Honors College student-athletes who have helped the Cougars earn ITA All-Academic Team honors, the highest team grade-point average of all varsity sports teams at CofC and recognition by the NCAA in its annual 2013 Public Recognition Awards for schools ranking in the top 10 percent of all Division I teams in their respective sport. For six straight years under Anastopoulo's watch, CofC has earned the NCAA Public Recognition Award, which recognizes teams with an NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate in the top 10% among all squads in their respective sports. During that period, the Cougars have earned ITA All-Academic honors in 29 of the last 30 seasons, including 70 individual academic honors.
Anastopoulo, a Charleston native, was a tennis standout at Middleton High School and The Citadel. He was a nine-time state champion at Middleton, and earned all-conference, all-state and All-American honors.
As The Citadel team captain in 1989, he led the Bulldogs to a school record 22-4 season and a second-place Southern Conference finish. For his efforts, he earned Most Valuable Player honors. While at the Citadel, he was also a national mixed doubles champion. Upon graduation, Anastopoulo played several professional tournaments including qualifying for the Lipton International Players Championship - now renamed the NASDAQ 100 - before becoming a tennis professional at the Charleston Tennis Center, where he coached several South Carolina State Champions.
Hailing from a tennis-oriented family in the Charleston community, his brothers, Arthur and Akim, played at the University of South Carolina and the University of Louisville respectively. Akim is a former tennis head coach at The Citadel. Meanwhile, Anastopoulo's sister, Patti, played on the first College of Charleston women's tennis team from 1974-78. Anastopoulo resides in Charleston with his wife, the former Paula Vallas, and their two sons, Ted and Stratas. Ted earned a Master's Degree in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University and is now at Princeton and pursuing his PHD. Stratas is a recent graduate of Newberry College and is the Lead Tennis Professional at Seabrook Island Club.
"My number one recruit has always been my wonderful and supportive wife, Paula," said Anastopoulo. "She's been with me for all the ups and downs and for the entirety of our marriage, I have been a coach at the College. I've had to travel a lot, especially when I was coaching both the men's and women's teams at the same time. I had to leave town only one day after our youngest son was born to go play a match. Through it all, she's held down the fort. She helps me with everything, whether it be the parent party, alumni matches, cookouts for the players, team Christmas parties, senior day, hosting recruits, she does it all. To my two great sons, Ted and Stratas, thank you for being patient with me. I've enjoyed watching you two grow up on the CofC courts, and I'm sorry I had to miss so many events when you were in school. I hope to attend every big event in your lives from now on.
I have the most supportive family. We are Greek and yes it's true we are entwined in each other's lives, but in a good way. They have always been there for me, and it a great day when I can look up in the stands and see them all there cheering on the team. My ninety-one-year-old mother has been to countless matches, She's developed special relationships with the girls over the years. The players even call her YiaYia. She's one-of-a-kind and my biggest promoter. She was at the last home match I coached, and I got really emotional about it. My brothers Arthur and Akim have been great sources of inspiration, as they were both college tennis players themselves. Akim was also a college coach, so he's given me a lot of useful advice over the years and he's always there for me.
In 1991 when I was first hired, my sister Patti, who played on the first CofC women's tennis team, told me, 'Angelo, don't mess this up!' From my first day stepping on the courts on Burns Lane from 1991-2003 and then racing up the steps to the beautiful Turner Tennis Center at Patriots Point, I would say to myself, 'Don't mess this up!' That's been my goal for the last 35 years. Don't mess this up..."
ANASTOPOULO CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2015 Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year
- Five-Time Southern Conference Coach of the Year (2001, 2003, (co) 2010, 2011 and 2013)
- 2009 ITA Southeast Region Coach of the Year
- 2009 USPTA Southern Coach of the Year
- 1996 Trans America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
- Sixth All-Time NCAA Tournament Appearances (2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013)
- 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Southern Conference Championships
- 1996 TAAC Championship
- USTPA P1 certified tennis pro
For complete coverage of Charleston women's tennis, follow us on X (CofCTennis) and Instagram (CofCWomensTennis).
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