Russell Sterns took over the coaching duties for the St. Edward’s men’s tennis program in 1987 and assumed the duties for the women’s program in 1989. Sterns has been named men’s tennis conference coach of the year five times and women’s tennis conference coach of the year four times. From 1987 to 1999, while the St. Edward’s men’s tennis program was part of the Heart of Texas Conference, Sterns obtained a record of 62–7 and led the men’s program to five conference titles.
Under his leadership, the men’s team advanced to the national tournament eight times between 2000 and 2007. In 2000, men’s tennis finished 20th in the nation with a 10–7 record. In 2006, the team reached the Elite Eight, and in 2007, the Sweet 16.
The women’s team has also achieved continued success, qualifying for the national tournament each year from 2001 through 2007.
Sterns came to St. Edward’s to play for the Hilltoppers in 1984 after transferring from Temple Junior College. During both his junior and senior years, his team qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tournament, after winning the conference championship. Individually, Sterns was a conference finalist his junior year and the conference singles champion his senior year. In 1996, he was the #2 ranked tennis player in the state of Texas in the United States Tennis Association’s 35th division.
Sterns earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration in 1985 and a master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in sports management in 1999, both from St. Edward’s University. He has spent most of his life involved with tennis and has worked with numerous state and nationally ranked juniors outside of his college programs. Sterns became a U.S. Professional Tennis Association–certified tennis professional in 1988 and spent several years as the club professional at Quail Creek Country Club in San Marcos.