Tim Cass

Tim Cass Courtesy: New Mexico Athletics  
Release:   11/25/2014

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Tim Cass

Tim Cass has played many roles at the University of New Mexico but one thing throughout his tenure remains consistent; he is a leader and has the accomplishments to show for it.  Cass first came to UNM in 1982 and quickly made his mark in the UNM tennis program.  A three-time All-Western Athletic Conference honoree, WAC doubles champion, and three-time NCAA qualifier, he was named the captain of the tennis team his senior year.  One of his biggest achievements, Cass earned All-America status his senior year as he and double’s partner, Steve Bickham, advanced to the quarterfinal of double’s play at the 1986 NCAA Championships in Athens, Georgia.  After graduating from UNM with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1986, he went on to play the European and U.S. professional tennis circuits but it didn’t take long for him to return to New Mexico.

 At the age of 23, Cass became the youngest head coach in UNM history in 1987 as he returned to the Lobo Men’s Tennis program.   As the new coach of the Lobos he helped guide the team from a sixth place WAC finish in his first year to winning five consecutive WAC Conference Titles starting his third season as head coach.  During his tenure as head coach, the men’s tennis team marked the programs first ever trip to the NCAA Championships and garnered national attention in the rankings.  The 1995 team climbed all the way up to a No. 6 national ranking. 

The national recognition caught the attention of then Big 12 school, Texas A&M, who hired Cass in 1997.  He was one of the most respected Division I head coaches in the nation and helped guide both Lobo and Aggie programs to unprecedented success.  His great leadership led his teams to 16 consecutive NCAA appearances-six with UNM and 10 with Texas A&M.  Cass was named conference Coach of the Year eight times and a finalist for National Coach of the Year four times in his 18 years of coaching. Because of his skill and influence on the game, he was asked to coach the United States Collegiate National Team in 1999-2000.

The level of respect that Cass still has in the world of tennis is obvious.  University of Texas head coach Michael Center refers to Cass as a, “pioneer in our (tennis) sport,” stating that he was creative in promoting and advancing the sport of tennis, an ambassador of the game.   Former Stanford University head coach and current Stanford Director of Tennis Dick Gould was quoted saying, “He’s the best. He’s done a good job everywhere he’s been. He’s energetic and has a wonderful, out-reaching, engaging personality”.  All of these characteristics are the same qualities that he has brought back to UNM as the Deputy Athletic Director.

Named UNM Senior Associate Athletic Director in 2006, Cass has successfully assisted in raising money for UNM Athletics, helped in the hiring of numerous head coaches, and led the effort on “The Pit” renovation. A proud member of the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association Board of Directors and other boards and committees, he has always found time to give back to his sport and community throughout his career. 

 No stranger to accomplishment, Cass graduated over 95% of student athletes as a coach, was named US Tennis Industry Magazine’s One of Forty Most Influential Persons Under Forty (July 2000), and was named Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame 1991 Coach of the Year. In May of 2011, he was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Tennis Hall of Fame for his work as a collegiate tennis coach and administrator. He has also authored the current NCAA Tennis Championship format.  No matter where he goes or what he does, Cass seems to always find the opportunity to stand out with his leadership ability and his execution of bringing success to those around him.  Fortunately for the Lobos, his passion and vision is directly serving the UNM Athletic Department.