DURHAM, N.C. – David Nass, who has served as tennis head coach at North Carolina Central University for the past 17 years, will retire effective Dec. 31 so he can “be more available to my family,” the NCCU Department of Athletics announced Wednesday.

“I have been given unprecedented support over the years at NCCU, and will be forever grateful, as it has enabled us to produce a strong tennis program,” Nass said.

Nass was named head coach for both men’s and women’s tennis programs at NCCU in 1997. He took over an established men’s team, but was charged with building a women’s tennis program, starting as a club sport.

One year into his tenure, Nass was selected as the 1998 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tennis Coach of the Year, after guiding the men's tennis team to its first conference championship in 24 years. The Eagles finished the 1998 season with 11 consecutive wins to end with a 15-1 conference record and 16-6 overall mark.

He continued to lead both men’s and women’s tennis teams until 2006, when NCCU was transitioning to NCAA Division I competition. At that time, Nass turned his focus squarely on the women’s tennis program as its head coach.

At the 2010 HBCU National Tournament, the NCCU women finished as the national runner-up.

In 2013, Nass was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year, after leading the Lady Eagles to a program record 14 match victories and a 5-1 mark in conference play.

“NCCU Department of Athletics has been honored to work with Coach David Nass for the past 17 years,” said Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, NCCU Director of Athletics.  “He is a genuine and caring individual, and has contributed significantly to the success of our tennis programs.  David has been dedicated and loyal to the University’s commitment since day one, and his energy and passion will certainly be missed.  I wish him well in his future endeavors and thank him sincerely for his contribution to NCCU.”

During Nass’s coaching career, his student-athletes were not only successful on the court, but in the classroom, as well. His teams have earned multiple NCCU awards for having the highest grade point average in the department, along with several national academic citations.

“When he took the helm in the mid-90s, the women’s program was still in the conceptual phase,” said NCCU’s director of tennis and men’s tennis head coach D. Curtis Lawson. “Fast forward to 2014 and our Lady Eagles have achieved a number of major milestones that firmly define the legacy of Coach David Nass. He has been a tireless champion for both the men’s and women’s programs and he is a respected colleague whose unique sense of humor I will miss.”

Although retiring from coaching, Nass will continue to teach in the NCCU Department of Physical Education.

“NCCU's tennis history is marvelous,” Nass said.  “Now, I am history; but the future for NCCU tennis looks bright.

“I am stepping away from coaching as a thankful and happy man.”