BABSON PARK, Fla. – The Webber International University men's tennis team opens their 2012 season on Friday, February 3^rd, with a match against Polk County rival, Florida Southern College. The match will be played on the WIU Campus Courts, in Babson Park, and will begin at 2:00 p.m.

There is a strong family tie involved in this annual Polk County showdown. Bill Heath coaches the Warriors and his oldest son, Trey Heath, coaches the Mocs. To add more family drama, Tyler Heath plays for his Dad at Webber International, and he will have the opportunity to play against his big brother's team.

Florida Southern has won the past three years against Webber, so Trey is 3-0 against his Dad. “I would really like to beat Florida Southern as it would be a great victory for our program. But, I would not get any joy out of giving Trey a loss, as I do not really want to hurt his coaching record,” stated the elder Heath.

Trey Heath is not only Bill Heath's son, but he is a former player for his father at Webber. Trey played for the Warriors for three years (1992, 1993, 1994) after transferring from Lees-McCrae College (NC), where he played his freshman year. Trey is an alumni of Webber, graduate with his B.S. degree in Finance in 2004. Trey graduated from Webber in 2008 with his MBA in Sports Management. Trey is also a former Head Coach of Webber Tennis, leading the men's team to two consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.

Tyler Heath did get to play doubles only in his first match with Southern during his freshman year. He missed last years match due to season ending shoulder surgery, but he is ready to play this year. “I really want to play and I'm excited to play in this years match,” stated Tyler, “but it is not about beating my “big bubba,” it's about winning my match and helping our team win.”

Trey Heath Head Coach of the Mocs. stated, “Coaching against my Dad, at Webber, is an honor. I was raised at Webber, watched my Dad hone his craft there, had my own battles while being coached by him, and began my own coaching career under him.” “There is definitely an influence by him on my current coaching style. His desire to win, no matter how difficult it may be has rubbed off on me. This is a blessing and a curse,” added Trey Heath.

“I have known Bill Heath a long time, but I never knew the passion that he has for his teams, his players, the tennis program, and our University,” stated WIU Assistant Coach, Robert Hollis. “I totally understand the mixed emotions he is going through in and his desire to win every match that our team plays,” added Hollis.

Trey Heath finished up by saying, “The other interesting aspect is coaching against my Dad while my brother is playing for him. The match itself is great, but I really try to distance myself from my brother's court. I'll let those matches play themselves out.”

Coach Bill Heath is beginning his 21^st season as head men's and women's tennis coach at Webber. His record with the men's team is 368-145 and his women's team record is 250-231. He has a total of 618 wins as Webber's tennis coach. With the other sports that Heath has Coached during his 26 total years at Webber, he has 747 total wins. He has been head coach in an amazing 1,264 varsity contest during his career. This number does not count the number of contest that he coached as an assistant coach, nor does it count the JV matches as a head coach.