BABSON PARK, Fla. (June 11, 2020) – Over the next couple of weeks, Webber International University athletics will be remembering some of its greatest sports teams of all time. Next up is the 1999 and 2003 Webber men's tennis teams.

The Webber men's tennis program was arguably Webber's team of the 1990's, winning the Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship in 1991 followed by Florida Sun Conference Championships in 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Also during that time frame, Head Men's Tennis Coach Bill Heath was named conference Coach of the Year during the 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 seasons.

By the time he retired after 21 years as the head coach, Heath was a six-time conference coach of the year and helped guide his men's and women's tennis teams to a combined seven conference championships. Heath finished with an overall record of 383-152 with his men's teams, was 264-241 on the women's side, and was 647-393 overall between both men's and women's tennis.

1999 Webber Men's Tennis Team: Coming off of four straight conference championships and a stretch of six conference championships in eight seasons entering the 1999 campaign, the Webber men's tennis team finished off the decade with one of its best postseason runs in program history.

By the end of the season, which was the final year before the team format began in the NAIA, the Warriors placed fourth at the NAIA National Championship at the Patch Reef Tennis Center in Boca Raton, Florida (May 24-29).

Webber had four All-Americans in 1999: Wojtek Bratek, Joe Gruen, Steve Haupt and Lars Hosang. Gruen was now a three-time All-American after also collecting the honor following the 1997 and 1998 seasons while Bratek and Haupt were both two-time All-Americans after also winning the award in 1998.

2003 Webber Men's Tennis Team: In 2003, the Webber men's tennis team was ranked as high as No. 5 in the NAIA during the regular season and finished as the runners-up in both the Florida Sun Conference and in the Region XIV.

The Warriors went on to advance to their third straight and 11th appearance overall at the NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship, where they were seeded sixth and defeated Spring Hill 6-1 before falling to third-seeded Georgia Southwestern 5-0 in the quarterfinals.

"I was so proud as a coach that our team never gave up," said Heath. "Although the win was not meant to be, in my eyes, Webber and I won big that day - not on the courts and not on paper, but with the quality student-athletes they had grown into."

Webber had three All-Americans in 2003: Sebastian Lang, Patricio Misitrano and Attila Janosdeak. It would be the last time a Warrior was named an All-American in tennis all the way until Hugo Hasegawa during the 2018 season under current Head Coach Otis Cutshaw.

"Coach Heath used to say that the 2003 men's tennis team was his last chance to win a national championship," said Misitrano. "Being the captain of that team, I never felt that it was pressure. On the other hand, I took it as a sign of how much confidence he had in us. We managed to get to the top-five in the national rankings, including wins over the No. 2 and No. 4 ranked teams in the country. When the time to play at nationals arrived, we knew we had a chance to go far. We got to the quarters and everything was according to plan. However, that next morning, it rained and we ended up playing indoors and only half of the singles matches went on court. It just wasn't meant to be. The one thing that we did accomplish that season was playing as a team and trusting on our teammates. We had great coaches and a great group of players and teammates. We all pulled for each other, supported each other and rooted for each other. We were a real team."

Gildarbo Lobo, another member of the Warriors' class of 2003, has this to say, "Our 2003 squad was a very diverse team. We were from eight different countries, ages ranging from 21 to 26. However, equally diverse were our personalities. But there was a bond, a bond that kept us proud and looking forward to playing our next match. One of my biggest memories from my time playing for Webber was when playing against Lewis & Clark. It was a match that started later than usual and got delayed by rain after the doubles. It was also a slow start for us as we had already lost two of the doubles matches. But in the end, it was a long battle that went on past 9:30 p.m. since it was played only on two courts. We finally won 4-3 with Per Ekvall winning the last point at No. 6 singles."

Red Shoes for Everyone

Additionally, the 2003 Webber men's tennis team decided to stand out on the court not just by their game, but in dress as well as they made a special trip to Orlando to the outlets to purchase something to assist in doing just that. 

One of the team's most memorable moments was presenting Coach Heath with his Red shoes.

This was a team bonding moment. You had to earn the respect of the team before being allowed into the inner circle. 

The sign of the red shoes was that you were part of the family culture of the team. To be an extremely hard worker with the willingness to never give up.

Final Thoughts:

"Webber, Coach Heath and Stella had a great impact on my life," concluded Misitrano. "I remember crystal clear the day that I met Coach Heath, the day when he called me and asked me if I wanted to take over the team, the day when I arrived to Florida from Connecticut (right before Hurricane Charley). He and Stella let me stay in their house for days because I had no place to go... no food... nothing. I also remember the day that I came back with my wife to visit and he just took the entire day to chat with us. Webber is this special little place in the middle of orange groves and next to a beautiful lake... and Coach Heath and Stella were always the parents that took care of their ever growing family: us, the tennis teams."

"I want to thank Bill and the school for offering me the opportunity to get an education and meet many people that shaped my life and made me who I am now," said Lobo. "There is a quote that I learned from Bill during my time at Webber. One day I asked him, 'coach, how do you manage to understand all of us?' And he replied, 'this will not make sense for many people, but I do listen very hard and that is how I manage to understand you all.'  That quote still stays with me and I use that quote very often when I meet new people at work. I tell them to please listen very hard in all situations before rushing to respond, that way they will understand me in a much easier way."

At last but certainly not least, Heath concluded, "Stella and I have traveled the world on the shores of Crooked Lake in beautiful Babson Park. What an honor it has been and continues to be to be a part of the lives of hundreds of amazing students. We were so fortunate to meet from around the world. Our dream is the students, now adults living very successful lives. I will also remember what it took and meant to them and will continue to support the institution that gave each of us so much. Go Warriors."