(Sports) Editor's Note

Farewell to Yoshi

Posted by: Jim Rossow

Friday, April 25, 2008 9:35 AM

One of our favorite coaches at the UI, Yoshi Hayasaki, will retire after next season. He's one of only three coaches still living who delivered an NCAA team title at Illinois (Craig Tiley, Maxwell Garret).
"It's hard to step down, particularly when we have a tremendous group coming in, but you have to do it some time," Hayasaki said Thursday. "I've been thinking a lot about it. As it stands right now, next season will be my last."
Hayasaki succeeded the late Charlie Pond in 1973-74, following an innovative coach who once captured 11 straight Big Ten titles and four NCAA crowns, and has remained at the helm of the men's program except for three years in the mid-90s. Hayasaki's Illini won the NCAA championship in 1989, the only UI team title between 1958 and the tennis triumph in 2003. After his return in 1996-97, the Illini became more consistent than ever. They took third in 1998 and have now finished among the nation's top five in six consecutive years.

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