Jackson, TN—Sandra Williams, women’s tennis coach, received the International Tennis Association (ITA) NAIA National Coach of the Year, and Andy Rushing, head baseball coach for the Bulldogs, receive the ABCA Region XI Coach of the Year award.

Sandra Williams led the Lady Bulldog Tennis program to a #8 final ranking in the NAIA poll and the Union doubles team to a # 9 final NAIA ranking. She had two players ranked in the top 40 in the country (#13 and #36). Sandra Williams has been a member of the coaching staff at Union since 1983. Coach Williams graduated from Union University in 1965 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree, and from University of Tennessee in 1966 with a Master's of Science Degree. Coach Williams also received a Master's in Religious Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1971.  Over the past 14 seasons, Coach Williams has a record of 219 - 92 (70%). Coach Williams has two players ranked in the top 25 ITA NAIA preseason poll.

Andy Rushing, a 1976 graduate of Union University, is coming off his best season ever at Union with a 42-15 record. Last season saw Rushing lead the Bulldogs to a regular season TranSouth Conference Championship along with a trip to the Region XI Tournament hosted at Union's new facility. Rushing's Bulldogs finished the 2000 season ranked #8 in the NAIA poll. With his second 40 win season in three years, Rushing hopes the success will continue into the 2001 season. Rushing has compiled a 15-year coaching record of 491 wins and 348 losses (59%) earning his 400th career win against Lipscomb University on April 10, 1998. His 12-year Union record is 407-250 (62%). The Bulldogs hope to once again participate in the regional tournament and aspire to qualify for the NAIA World Series, the national tournament event which is qualifies the fewest participants in the NAIA. Rushing’s Bulldogs are preseason ranked # 25 in the NAIA polls.