SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Shippensburg University head women's tennis coach Walter Manderson has announced his retirement effective August 1. The Athletics Department is conducting a search to find a successor.

“I want to thank Walt for his work with our women's tennis program and the athletics department during his time at Shippensburg,” said Jeff Michaels, director of athletics. “He has been an important member of our staff and his presence will be missed.”

Manderson coached the women's tennis program for eight seasons after arriving in the spring of 2003 from Smithsburg High School in Maryland. He previously served as the assistant tennis coach at Penn State-Mont Alto for five seasons from 1998 to 2002.

One of the biggest highlights of his coaching tenure came in 2005-06. Manderson guided the women's tennis program to a 6-7 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in the spring. During that season, Shippensburg's top two singles competitors totaled 21 individual victories and posted the most team victories in three years.

During his tenure as the Lady Raider head coach, Manderson instructed skillful recruit Lena Pavilionyte '06, a four-time All-PSAC selection who finished her singles career with a 45-15 record. Overall, Manderson has been involved in tennis for more than 30 years and has been a loyal and dedicated member of the SU athletics department during his tenure with the Raiders.

Manderson is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served from March 1963 until his retirement in July 1984. He held various positions and billets of increasing responsibility in the field of Army Logistical Planning and Support in Germany, Vietnam and the United States. He served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Manderson earned his bachelor of science in business and management from the University of Maryland in 1984.