Hall of Fame
A dominant performer on the WVIAC men’s tennis stage during the 1970s, Dan Warner continued to excel as a teacher, player and coach for decades after leaving the hilltop. The Vienna, W.Va. native was the first man to be named WVIAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons. A three-time NAIA National Tournament qualifier, Warner lost only two singles matches in three years and led the Hilltoppers to wins over West Virginia, Pitt, Ohio University, Kent State and Marshall.
Warner teamed with his brother, Don, to win the 1978 West Virginia Doubles title and was the state’s 35-over singles champion in 1994 and 1995. He was ranked in the Top 10 nationally in 40-over singles during the 1990s and teamed with his daughter, Danielle, to win the 2001 Florida Father/Daughter championship.
Warner was head coach at the University of Charleston from 1977-82. The three-time WVIAC Coach of the Year led UC’s men and women to WVIAC titles in 1981 and 1982. The 1982 women’s team was ranked No. 7 nationally. He left Charleston to coach at East Tennessee State from 1982-87, setting a school record with a 29-win season.
He coached tennis at Martin County (Fla.) High School from 1990-95 and was the 1994 Florida High School Coach of the Year. At the time of his induction, Warner had been teaching and coaching at the high school level for nearly a quarter-century.
