Steve Sauers - Athletics

February 22, 2018

Gator All-Star, Steve Sauers was an early pioneer of sports at Green River College. He founded the tennis programs in 1970 and turned those teams in to the most successful programs in the history of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC). They went on to capture 19 conference men’s titles and 16 women’s titles during his tenure. In his coaching career, he led them to an overall total of 35 NWAACC titles.

NWAACC states* that, “No one, in any sport, coached in NWAACC longer or won more championships than Sauers.”  His teams had an overall record of 920-173 and took 14 runner-up finishes. During that time, Gator players captured the NWAACC number-one singles title 18 times and the number one doubles title a stunning 23 times.

Sauers arrived at what was then known as “Green River Community College” in 1966 as a business education instructor before coaching tennis there. The 20-time winner of the NWAACC Tennis Coach of the Year passed away in December 2004, leaving a lasting legacy at GRC that forever helped to define “Gator Spirit”. In ((Date here)), the College recognized Sauers’ impact by dedicating the popular, outdoor student gathering location by Salish Hall as “Sauers Court”.

Photo credit: Northwest Athletic Conference