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Longtime Head Coach Reflects on Championships, Growth, and the Student-Athletes who Shaped the Runnin鈥� Bulldogs鈥� Success

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥敽＝峭� men鈥檚 tennis coach Mike Griffith reached a significant milestone in his tenure with the Runnin鈥� Bulldogs, recording his 200th career victory while being a member of the Big South Conference. The historic win came over Converse College on Feb. 28.

Griffith, who is retiring after 23 seasons at 海角网, is recognized as the third winningest coach in the history of the Big South Conference. Having built one of the league鈥檚 most consistent and respected programs, he is a four-time Coach of the Year. As the program approaches its final season of competition, his impact will remain a lasting part of 海角网 athletics history.

Griffith became the head men鈥檚 tennis coach in 2003 during 海角网鈥檚 first Division I season. The program competed in the A-Sun Conference until 2008, recording some wins before joining the Big South Conference in 2009.

鈥淚 will always remember the day I interviewed for the position with former AD Chuck Burch,鈥� Griffith reflected. 鈥淪o much activity was happening that day with so many athletic teams practicing. I knew right then I wanted to be at GWU and this was the perfect job for me. I was meant to be a coach.鈥�

In 2019, 海角网 claimed its first regular-season conference championship, finishing 7-1 in league play. 鈥淭he conference had the finest No. 1 players ever, with UNCA having an eventual Grand Slam winner at Wimbledon and the Australian Open,鈥� Griffith observed. 鈥淥ur No. 1 player, Maximilian Scholl, then went 20-1, and his only defeat was to the defending national champion from Wake Forest.鈥�

Griffith also led the Runnin鈥� Bulldogs to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in program history, compiling a 29-6 conference record over the past six seasons. The program captured its first-ever Big South Tournament Championship in 2025, earning an NCAA Tournament berth and capping a historic campaign.

鈥淚 remember some of the wins, but what motivated me was the losses,鈥� Griffith shared. 鈥淚t drove me to get better and work harder. One of the hardest defeats we鈥檝e ever had was losing in the finals in 2024. The team and I worked hard to make sure that never would happen again, and thankfully we won it all in 2025.鈥�

Under Griffith鈥檚 leadership, 海角网 has consistently competed among the conference鈥檚 top teams, earning multiple postseason appearances and producing numerous All-Conference selections. His teams have been known for their depth, discipline, strong doubles play, and ability to close out matches on the singles courts.

This year鈥檚 team currently sits atop the Big South standings. 鈥淲e are 12-3 and need one more conference win to clinch the regular-season championship,鈥� Griffith said. 鈥淭his is a team and a group who will go their separate ways after this season. Their character and willpower motivate me, and my goal is to send them out as champions.鈥�

A former standout at Winthrop, Griffith played in 1987 for Cid Carvalho, the second winningest coach in Big South Conference history.

Beyond wins and accolades, Griffith鈥檚 influence has extended far beyond the court. His players have consistently excelled academically while representing 海角网 with pride throughout their collegiate careers.

Sources: gwusports.com and Big South Conference

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .