After one year as an assistant coach, Beth Anne Clayton has been elevated to be the head coach of both the Lion and Lady Lion tennis teams.
Clayton, an FHU alumna, helped the Lady Lions win the TranSouth Conference tournament in the 1998 and 2000 seasons. The 2000 iteration saw Clayton and the Lady Lions reach the NAIA national tournament in Boca Raton, Florida.
“I have a deep love for Freed-Hardeman University,” said Clayton. “I am excited to be a part of providing a tennis program for students that seeks excellence on and off the court and helps guide them as they grow into adults.”
As the assistant coach during the 2022-23 season, Clayton helped lead the men’s tennis team to their first postseason win since joining the Mid-South Conference in 2021.
Clayton looks to build on that success, saying, “My vision for FHU tennis is not only to be competitive in our conference but also to build a team of players who love the game, want to work hard, have fun doing it and who are known for their character of excellence on and off the court.”
Athletic Director Jonathan Estes said, “We are thrilled with Coach Clayton’s decision to join our tennis program and contribute to its future success. As a student-athlete, she exemplified what we want our Lions and Lady Lions to be. She was part of some really good teams as a player and now wants to help our program display the success, on and off the court, that made FHU tennis a household name. I am excited that our athletes get an opportunity to be led by Coach Clayton.”
Clayton graduated from FHU in 2000 with a bachelor’s in marketing before obtaining her master’s degree in education. Clayton is married to Jarred and has one daughter, Anna Jewell, and one son, Grady.
In addition to her work as the tennis coach, Clayton serves as a financial aid counselor for FHU.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees.