Roanoke College Director of Athletics Scott Allison is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Wilkes to lead the Maroon's tennis program. Wilkes will take over the helm of the men's and women's tennis teams starting December 1st.
Wilkes has worked in education and coaching for over two decades and comes to Roanoke from Salem High School. During his eight-year tenure with the Spartans, Chris served as a teacher, administrator, and coach, leading the Salem tennis team before becoming an Assistant Principal.
"I am honored to serve as the new tennis coach at Roanoke College. The facilities are amazing and the people I have met have been wonderful." Wilkes continues, "I am eager to meet the student-athletes and get to work. I am proud to be a part of the Roanoke College team."
Wilkes grew up playing tennis in Franklin County, competing for the Eagles in the Roanoke Valley District prior to graduating in 1991. Before to coming to Salem, Chris spent time teaching and coaching in Bedford County. Coach Wilkes taught and coached at Staunton River, Middle and High School, for five years before moving to Salem to work at Andrew Lewis Middle School.
"We're pleased to have Chris join our staff. His tennis acumen is thorough. His experience coaching and mentoring young adults is exemplary. From our conversations, he recognizes the importance of recruiting the "right" kind of student-athlete to Roanoke College." More from Allison, "his aspirations for the Roanoke College Men's and Women's Tennis Teams is for them to finish at or near the top of the ODAC on an annual basis. For me, that checks all the boxes."
Wilkes received his Bachelor of Music from James Madison University in 2005 and then went on to earn his Master of Education from the University of Virginia. Chris lives in Salem with his wife Kristen, son Andrew, daughter Jenna, and their basset hound Buddy.
