George Acker, 82, legendary coach of Kalamazoo College's Men's Tennis teams, died at Bronson Hospital on Wednesday after suffering a stroke on July 12. Acker coached the Kalamazoo College Hornets men's tennis team from 1958 to 1993, compiling a 537-231 overall record which included a 209-1 record in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In his 35 years at Kalamazoo College, the Hornets won 35 consecutive MIAA tennis titles and seven NCAA Division III National championships under Acker's guidance. Acker was a recipient of the Florence J. Lucasse Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1985 and was inducted into the Kalamazoo College Hall of Fame in 1998. Coach Acker was actively involved in the Boys' 18 & 16 National Tennis Championships from 1959 until his death. He served in many capacities through the years, most notably as a Nationals Official, and received a Green Jacket in 1983. In 1993 he was named as the Honorary Referee for that year's tournament. Coach Acker is survived by his wife Nancy and four daughters. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Source: Julie Gibson