Nike Tennis Camp at University of Illinois

"I am extremely grateful to Josh Whitman and the search committee chair Ryan Squire for allowing me this opportunity and trusting me to lead the Fighting Illini women's tennis program moving forward," Clark said. "We will continue to work hard to develop our student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and in all aspects of their lives. We all understand that Illinois is a very special place and I am excited to build a program here of which everyone can be proud. I look forward to taking the progress that was made last year and building the program into a national contender annually."

Under Clark, Illinois has emerged as one of the premier programs in the Big Ten, having finished third, fourth and tied for fourth in the conference in the last three years, respectively. The 2017-18 season was one for the record books for the Illini, as the team tied for the most wins in a single season in program history (22) and earned its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2012.

Other accolades included the highest ITA Team Ranking (No. 5) in program history, as well as 12 weeks in the top 25, 11 of those 12 in the top 15 and four weeks in the top 10. The Illini also got off to the best start in school history, accumulating a record of 19-3, earned five wins of top-25 opponents, earned a title at the Blue Gray Inviational and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.

In addition to team success, junior Jaclyn Switkes earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors, while Clark was named ITA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year, as well as Big Ten Coach of the Year, just the second such award for an Illinois coach in program history and first since 1987.

Following the 2017-18 campaign, Clark and Illinois agreed to a five-year contract extension, as announced by Whitman.

"Evan has exceeded all expectations during his first years leading our program," Whitman said. "He has attracted some of the nation's top tennis talent to our campus, and he has developed them into exceptional players. Most importantly, he has created a positive culture within the program that has the team competing hard, supporting each other, and striving for excellence in all facets of their Illinois experience. We are grateful to Evan for his loyalty to our program and are excited to keep him leading the Orange and Blue for many years to come. We look forward to supporting him and his student-athletes as they continue to push Illinois women's tennis to the forefront."

Illinois posted a 14-13 mark during the 2016-17 season, including a 7-4 record in Big Ten play. Louise Kwong garnered All-Big Ten honors, and was one of five Fighting Illini to be named Academic All-Big Ten.

During the 2015-16 campaign, Clark oversaw the Fighting Illini turn in their most productive season since 2012. The team posted a 15-9 overall record that included an 8-3 mark in Big Ten action for fourth place and advancement to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Illinois turned in a collective 41-8 record on the doubles courts across the dual season under the interim guidance of Clark.

In the first three seasons with Clark leading the Illini program, the teams have compiled an overall dual record of 51-28, including a 24-10 mark in Big Ten action. With Clark on the staff, the Illini also have held a perfect APR score and perfect graduation rate.

Prior to Illinois, Clark served as the head coach of the UNC Wilmington women's team for two seasons and helped the Seahawks to the program's first Colonial Athletic Association conference championship. Clark was named the CAA's Coach of the Year and had players named both the CAA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Under the direction of Clark, UNCW compiled a record of 31-11.

The University of Missouri - Kansas City graduate has also spent time with the Maryland men's team, Penn State women's team and UMKC women's team after earning his degree in 2006.

With a perfect 31-0 record, Clark took home the 2002 Missouri High School 4A State Singles Championship and was voted the Kansas City Star Tennis Male Athlete of the Year. He went on to be named First-Team All-Mid-Continent Conference following his collegiate debut season. Clark served as captain of the UMKC's men's tennis team from 2002-04. During the 2004-05 season, Clark wrapped up his collegiate career as a member of the Arkansas men's tennis program before returning to UMKC to earn his degree in psychology.

Accompanying Clark off the courts is his wife, Katelynn, as well as their son, Tripp and daughter, Harper.

Dancer was named the ITA Midwest Coach of Year last season after the Illini won their third Big Ten Tournament title under the head coach. Illinois has consistently been in the top three of the Big Ten while frequently being ranked nationally under Dancer’s tenure. The Illini have won Big Ten Tournament titles in 2012 and 2015 and a regular season conference championship in 2015 and have advanced to the NCAA tournament in each of Dancer's first 14 seasons. Illinois reached the finals of the 2007 NCAA Championships, finishing as runner-up for the second-highest finish in program history. That year, defending NCAA doubles champions Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe finished runner-up., becoming the first doubles team in almost 40 years to make championship finals with the same partner in back-to-back seasons. In all, Dancer has led the Illini to two quarterfinals (2007, 2015) and 10 Sweet Sixteen appearances.

At Illinois, many of Dancer’s student-athletes have found individual success on the collegiate circuit, as he has coached 17 All-Americans, 36 All-Big Ten honorees, three Big Ten Athletes of the Year, two Big Ten Freshmen of the Year, and a Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship honoree (Bruno Abdelnour, 2012-13). On the ITA circuit, the Illini have had four ITA Regional champions, four ITA Regional Senior Players of the Year, three ITA Regional Player to Watch, and three ITA Regional Arthur Ashe Award winners. Also, Kevin Anderson earned the ITA National Player to Watch in 2007, while Dennis Nevolo won the 2009 ITA Regional Rookie of the Year.

Dancer also garnered his own honors by being selected as the ITA Regional Coach of the Year during the 2014-15 season. In the record books, Dancer ranks as the all-time winningest coach, entering his 16th season with 301 victories, while also ranked second behind Illini legend Craig Tiley in Big Ten victories and career winning percentage.