WINTER PARK, Fla. (October 14, 2020) - The collegiate tennis community suffered a tremendous loss over the weekend as legendary coach Nathan "Norm" Copeland passed away at the age of 95.
The impact that Copeland had on not only Rollins, but college tennis as a whole, cannot be understated. A native of Daytona Beach, FL, Copeland joined the tennis program as a freshman in 1946, and helped the Tars to back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1948 and 1949. Following his graduation in 1950, Copeland tried his hand on the professional tour, climbing as high as #19 in the rankings. He returned to Winter Park to take over as head coach of the Rollins program in 1955. No one knew at the time, but this would be the beginning of a dynasty.
Over the course of 38 years at the helm of Tars tennis, Copeland accumulated 732 dual-match victories, the most in NCAA Division II, and the third most at any level of collegiate tennis. Rollins earned three national championship trophies under his guidance in 1966, 1972, and 1991. The Tars also finished Top-5 nationally eleven additional times. He oversaw two individual national champions, Brian Talgo in 1985 and Pat Emmett in 1987, as well as three doubles national champions: John Lowman/Ron Lague (1971), John Lowman/Mike Strickland (1972), and Barry Pelts/Robert Green (1988). In addition, more than 30 student-athletes earned All-American recognition while Copeland was in charge of the program.
Rollins tennis dominated the Sunshine State Conference during Copeland's run, at one point winning 14 straight conference titles between 1980-1993. His teams earned national Top-10 rankings for 28 consecutive seasons, and also made 28 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 1966-1993.
Copeland earned a spot in the Rollins Hall of Fame in the middle of his coaching tenure, as he was inducted in 1978. The Sunshine State Conference followed suit during his final season, naming him to the SSC Hall in 1992.
In an email to Rollins faculty and staff, Rollins President Grant Cornwell had this to say about Copeland:
"Coach Copeland was truly legendary on and off the court. He had a personality that was larger than life, and his humor and commitment to the students and student-athletes will be remembered by all who had the opportunity to know him. On behalf of the Rollins community, I share my condolences with the Copeland family."
Share Your Story
How did Norm make a difference in your life? Share your favorite memory of Norm or pass along your favorite lesson learned from the national championship coach by
filling out this form. We'll collect your stories and build a lasting
tribute to Norm for the entire Rollins community to enjoy.
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Make a Gift
Those wishing to make a gift in Norm's honor can give to the newly named Norm and Bucky Copeland Memorial Fund, which was originally established upon the death of Norm's son in 1981 as a way to support student-athletes participating in tennis. Visit
rollins.edu/give and select "other" to write in the name of the fund.
