Elmhurst University Athletics

A former standout tennis player at Elmhurst, Anthony McPherson is entering his ninth season of work with the Elmhurst women's tennis team.

After serving as the team's head coach from 2008-13, McPherson moved to the role of tennis administrator and assistant coach for the women's program prior to the start of the 2014 season. He also serves as the head men's tennis coach at Elmhurst.

In six seasons under McPherson, the Bluejays have compiled a 28-59 overall record. In 2013, Cassie Kovach earned first-team all-conference honors while Annie Duggan earned second-team accolades. In 2011, Duggan earned first-team all-conference honors and was named the CCIW's Newcomer of the Year. In 2010, Virginia Dallman became the first Bluejay to post back-to-back all-conference honors since the CCIW established an all-conference squad in 2003.,

McPherson has great success as the head coach of the men's tennis team. 

In 2014, McPherson guided the Bluejays to their second straight CCIW Championship and the team's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championships. The squad finished the season with a 16-5 overall record and an unbeaten 6-0 mark in the CCIW. McPherson was named the CCIW's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and the third time in his career.,

In 2013, McPherson led the Bluejays to their first CCIW Championship in 59 years, earning Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career. The Bluejays finished the season with a 14-9 overall record, including a perfect 5-0 mark against CCIW competition.

In 2012, McPherson directed the squad to a 15-9 overall record and a runner-up finish at the CCIW Championship. In 2011, he led Elmhurst to a,12-11 overall record and a third-place finish at the CCIW Championship, earning him CCIW Coach of the Year honors in the process.

McPherson has coached 17 student-athletes to all-conference honors. Last season, Chris Harrison and Quinn Jennings earned first-team all-conference honors. It was the second consecutive first-team selection for Harrison and the second-straight all-conference honor for Jennings after he earned second-team honors in 2014. Alex Harbert earned first-team accolades in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 while Will Jung earned first-team all-conference honors in 2013 and 2014 after scoring second team honors and Co-MVP accolades at the CCIW Championship in both 2011 and 2012. Vincent McPherson and Luke Tanaka both earned second-team all-CCIW honors in 2013 with McPherson earning MVP honors from the CCIW Championship. Tanaka earned second-team all-conference accolades and co-MVP honors of the CCIW Tournament (along with Harbert) during the 2014 season. Dave Douglass earned second-team honors in 2008 and David Devaney was a second-team selection in 2010.

McPherson closed out his,collegiate career as one of Elmhurst's most decorated players. McPherson earned three all-conference honors, including first-team recognition during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He finished his four-year career ranked fifth in school history in both singles (61) and doubles (61) victories. His pairing with Dan Faretta in doubles matches led to 41 career victories, the second-highest total in school history. He also holds the single-season record for most wins at No. 2 singles with 18 during the 2006 season.,

McPherson earned his bachelor's degree from Elmhurst in 2007.