Robert “Bobby”
BAYLISS
Class of 2025
Biography
Bobby Bayliss is widely recognized as one of the top collegiate tennis coaches of all time. As a student-athlete at Richmond, and while a graduate student, he began his coaching career at his HS alma mater, Thomas Jefferson, and won the Virginia State Championship in 1968. At age 24, he began a 15-year stint (1970-84) as men’s tennis coach at the U.S. Naval Academy; he became the only Navy men’s tennis coach never to lose to Army and was named the Mid-Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year in three consecutive seasons. In addition to his tennis duties at Navy, Bayliss was an assistant professor of English and an associate professor of physical education. Bobby continued his stellar coaching career at MIT and then at Notre Dame (26 years) where his team was NCAA runner-up in 1992. Over his 44 years as a coach, few others turned out so many exceptional players, had such great team success and earned as many honors. He finished his career fifth on the all-time career wins list for Division I men’s tennis with a record of 765-339-1 (.692).
Along with his success at Navy, Bobby’s special legacy lies in his passionate community engagement at a critical phase of tennis in Anne Arundel County. He embraced the Navy Tennis Boosters Club, and the local community supported Navy teams and players. With his support, the Academy gave the Booster access to the 24 hard courts on Bronson Road and for regular play and for the Anne Arundel County Open tennis tournament. Cookouts, parties, clinics and social play produced friendships that still endure.
In retirement Bobby has served as the volunteer assistant coach of St. Joseph High School in South Bend, IN. His book, “Cross Court Reflections” (2019) relates “one actual year in the life of a college tennis coach.” At age 81, he wants to be called “Bobby.”
External Links
- Cross Court Reflections (Amazon.com)
- “Bob Bayliss Honored By U.S. Naval Academy” (Dec. 9, 2005)
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