INDIANAPOLIS - Kristopher Looney, a standout in the Indianapolis tennis community, has been named the head coach of the Marian College men's tennis program, Marian College Director of Athletics Joe Haklin announced on Monday.

"We are excited to bring Kris into Marian College athletics," said Haklin. "With his extensive tennis background and strong reputation both in the local community and in the tennis community, Kris is going to be a great addition. He brings great tennis credentials and a high enthusiasm for recruiting student-athletes and maintaining the tradition of Marian College men's tennis."

Looney comes to Marian College from the Indianapolis Racquet Club where he has spent the last year as a tennis instructor. He brings more than 12 years of experience as a tennis instructor in the Indianapolis area to Marian College men's tennis.

"I am really excited for this opportunity," said Looney. "I believe this is a good opportunity for me to put my stamp on a program and really build on the tradition that is already there. It is a nice chance for me to establish a program how I envision and put Marian College on the map. I am looking forward to being able to recruit and utilize my experience in the tennis community to really get Marian College to the top. I am truly excited."

He replaces Steve Baldwin who spent one season as head coach of the men's tennis team and had to resign due to career commitments.

"Steve spent a short time with us, but did a great job," said Haklin. "He maintained the tradition of Marian College men's tennis, but we understand his decision to focus on his career."

During his stint at the IRC where he is a tennis professional, Looney has also served as the assistant coach for the Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School boy's varsity tennis team as well as the assistant coach for the Fishers High School girl's varsity team. He has served as assistant coach at Brebeuf for more than six years and has assisted in the coaching of varsity, junior varsity, and freshman tennis teams. He assisted with a team that was ranked as high as No. 5 in the state of Indiana in both 2002 and 2003. He also helped guide the junior varsity and freshman teams to conference championships in 2002 and 2003.

Prior to IRC, Looney was a tennis instructor at the Five Seasons Sport and Country Club in Indianapolis for six years. He established relationships with private clientele and quickly became one of the top tennis professionals at one of Indianapolis' top country clubs. He coached multiple winter league teams, United States Tennis Association summer teams, as well as some of Indiana's top juniors in the player's academy.

Additionally, Looney is affiliated with every tennis club in Indianapolis, has affiliations with many local top-level high school coaches, and is a Professional Tennis Registry-certified tennis instructor. He is also a National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association-certified personal trainer.

As a player, Looney was a national qualifier for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 1995 and was named conference player of the week in 1996. He served as team captain during his tenure at IUPUI in 1999, his senior season. He is currently an active top-level local singles and doubles player. He was ranked as high as No. 3 in the Midwest singles rankings (Open division), and he was ranked as high as No. 1 in the Midwest doubles rankings (Open division) in 2005.

Looney is a graduate of IUPUI where he earned a bachelor of science degree in social work in 1999. He currently resides in Indianapolis.