ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University Director of Athletics, Bill D'Andrea on Thursday announced that Joey Eskridge has been named Director of Tennis, while Danny Neal has been named Director of Golf at AU.
"This gives both Joey and Danny a broader role in their programs," said D'Andrea. "These titles more appropriately reflect their oversight of the programs."
The duo has a combined 21 years head coaching experience with the Trojans, as Neal began his tenure at the helm of the AU golf program in 2004, while Eskridge, a native of the Electric City, started coaching tennis at AU in 2008.
Within their oversight of the programs, both Eskridge and Neal will continue in their roles as head coaches, teaching and instructing their respective teams.
In eight seasons, Eskridge has guided the Trojan men's team to a pair of conference tournament titles and a regular season championship, while leading his team to the NCAA tournament three times. Under his tutelage, two Trojans have earned All-America status and two have been named Academic All-Americans.
Under Eskridge, the women's tennis team was ranked for the first time in school history at the NCAA level and won its first regular season South Atlantic Conference championship in program history in 2012. Individually, he has won two national titles at the 5.5 men's level as well as captained and played on a championship team in the Charleston, S.C. Pro League. Eskridge was the first person in SCTA history to receive both the John Newcomb Pro of the Year award in 2008 and in 2013 the Coach of the Year by USTA South Carolina.
Off the court, the women's program has won the Dr. Shirley Jacks Academic Excellence Award eight of the last 10 semesters.
"I am honored to be named Director of Tennis for Anderson University," said Eskridge. "Being a part of this historically strong tennis program and looking to further that tradition is an opportunity I look forward to each day I come to work at our new state-of-the-art tennis facility here. I look forward to also working with current students taking tennis classes, as well as working with the tennis community here in Anderson to promote tennis at all levels of the game."
Neal is in his is entering his 14th year at the helm of the Anderson University men's and women's golf teams and was named the 2008 Conference Carolinas Women's Coach of the Year. Under Neal's guidance, the Trojans swept the 2004 conference tournament titles, claiming both the Men's and Women's Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference titles at Foxfire Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C. Anderson's Kathryn Adkins, the 2004 CVAC Women's Player of the Year, won medalist honors in that inaugural tourney.
In his first eight seasons, Neal directed the men's team to four NCAA Regional bids and the men's program has produced eight All-Conference players. The Trojan men have achieved five tournament victories, including the 2016 Anderson University Invitational title, and has held a national ranking of as high as No. 17.
Neal has guided an impressive 14 women's golfers to all-conference accolades, while the women's squad 2006 Upstate Classic, hosted by Limestone and also claimed the 2008 Anderson University Invitational title, along with the Converse Spring Invitational last season.
"I would like to thank Bill D'Andrea and President Whitaker for their trust in me in leading both the men's and women's programs," said Neal. "This title reflects responsibilities and duties in overseeing two teams at the collegiate level. It helps validate the level of expertise and experience achieved as a golf professional, both in the PGA and as a college coach. It is especially important as the golf programs continue to move forward."
