Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is saddened by the news of the passing of former University of South Carolina men’s tennis coach Kent DeMars at the age of 82.
Spending 37 years as a collegiate head coach at both SIU Edwardsville (1978-84) and South Carolina (1984-2010), DeMars was a leading voice within college tennis and left a lasting legacy both on and off the court.
“I first met Kent in New Orleans at the annual meeting of the NCAA Tennis Committee in the summer of 1976. This marked the beginning of a very productive partnership, and most importantly, a wonderful friendship,” said ITA Chairman Emeritus David A Benjamin. “Over the next four decades, we worked closely together on a wide range of important projects and programs as the ITA evolved into the governing body of college tennis. Soft-spoken and extremely modest, Kent eschewed the lime-light, and few of his fellow coaches, all of whom highly respected him, realized the extent of his contributions to the ITA and college tennis. Without Kent’s dynamic efforts and trusted advice, the ITA would never have achieved the recognition and respect of the tennis world at all levels. It was truly a privilege to team up with Kent and have him as a most special friend.”
Amassing over 400 career victories, DeMars coaching accomplishments have been recognized by numerous organizations as he has been inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men’s Collegiate Hall of Fame in 2010, the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Hall of Fame in 2006 and the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024.
Setting the record for career program victories at South Carolina, DeMars brought the Gamecocks into the national spotlight during his time at the helm, reaching the NCAA Tournament on 18 occasions, including 13-straight berths from 1994-2006.
A highly talented and successful college coach, his Edwardsville doubles team, Ken Flach and Rob Segusso, won two Wimbledon and two US Open Doubles titles, as well as men’s doubles gold medal in the 1988 Olympics, and in 1985 were ranked No. 1 in the world.
“Kent’s contributions to our sport went well beyond the programs that were fortunate enough to call him ‘coach,’” stated ITA COO Cory Brooks. “He felt strongly about his obligation to give back to the sport that had given him so much and, as a result, his fingerprints can be found on so many ITA success stories of the last 40 years. Even after his retirement in 2010, Kent stayed close to the ITA, serving as chair of the ITA Men’s National Team Indoor Championships and being a friend and invaluable resource to a young staff at the ITA. His passion and commitment to the health and vitality of our sport will be sorely missed.”
Just as impactful off the court, DeMars was a leading voice from the early days of the ITA, working with David A Benjamin, longtime ITA CEO and Executive Director, on countless items, many of which can still be seen today, such as the rankings program. In 1986, DeMars contributions to the ITA were recognized when he received the Rolex/ITA Meritorious Service Award for his dedication to collegiate tennis.
In addition to these actions, DeMars served on numerous ITA and USTA committees throughout his career and annually served as the Tournament Director for the USTA Boys’ 18 Intersections, one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the United States.
As a tennis lifer, DeMars played college tennis at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, where he was a four-year letter winner. Upon graduation with a degree in Biology, DeMars began his coaching career at Peacock Military Academy (1966-68) before returning to his high school alma mater, Assumption High School (1969-1973), where he coached for three years before joining the collegiate ranks.
A memorial service celebrating Kent’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at USC’s Rutledge Chapel, 902 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
