Raiders Mourn Foster's Passing

Sept. 21, 2004

The Wright State University athletics department regrets to announce the passing of men's and women's tennis coach Herb Foster. Foster, 57, passed away this weekend at his home in Huber Heights, OH. An exact time or cause of death has not been released but Foster has battled various ailments in recent years.

Foster had accompanied the WSU women's team to a season-opening tournament in Akron in which he saw his daughter, Tiffani, play her first collegiate match.

Foster took over the WSU men's tennis program in 1996 and added the women's squad in 1999. The 2000-01 men's squad upset Butler to win the Midwestern Collegiate Conference title after placing second the previous two seasons. On the women's side, the Raiders finished third four consecutive years in the league tournament.

"Herb took our program to a new level," WSU athletics director Mike Cusack said. "We now play an extremely tough schedule and complete each year in the Horizon League. But most of all, Herb was a good man who truly cared about the players and was driven to help make them better. He will be sorely missed."

In all, 19 Raiders received all-conference or First Team All-League honors under Foster's tenure, with Chad Camper being named the MCC Co-Player of the Year in 2000-01 and Quincy Jones receiving the Co-Newcomer of the Year award the same season. Foster has also been recognized as the league Coach of the Year three times--in 1998-99 and 2000-01 with the men and in 1999-2000 with the women.

Prior to coming to WSU, Foster was the head coach at Sinclair Community College in Dayton as well as the head pro at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Tennis Club. He is also a member of the Dayton Area Tennis Hall of Fame.

Foster is survived by his daughter, Tiffani, and son, Marq. More information will be announced as it is available.