University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Men's Tennis Program Adds Derek Porter
May 18, 2002 | Men's Tennis
May 18, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Derek Porter, a native of Coral Springs, Fla., has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of North Carolina and play men's tennis, UNC head men's tennis coach Sam Paul announced Saturday.
In 2002, Porter is a returning Top 30 in the USA in the boys 18's rankings and in the Top 15 in doubles. Porter is the son of former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ron Porter, a 10-year National Football League veteran who played in two Super Bowls.
Coached by Pierre Arnold and Mitch Evron, Porter had an outstanding 2001. He reached the round of 16 in singles at the U.S. Tennis Association National Copper Bowl, took fifth place in the National Open-Tampa in February, captured the championship of the National Open-El Paso in April, advanced to the round of 16 in singles and was a quarterfinalist in doubles at the USTA Super Nationals in Phoenix, and took and round of 16 finish in singles at the International Eddie Herr Championships, defeating Matt Emery, the #2 national player in the boys 18's.
Porter was the 2000 and 2001 Florida State High School Champion, going undefeated in singles. His team went 50-0 those two years and was ranked the #1 high school team in the USA. A gifted athlete, Porter is also an outstanding soccer player. He was the four-year leading scorer on his high school soccer team, captaining the squad as a junior and senior. He was named first-team All-State and All-County in soccer and was nominated for the 2002 Gatorade Athlete of the Year Award.
