KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Former Western Michigan Men's Tennis Assistant Coach and alum, Stephen Payne, has been named interim head coach of the WMU Women's Tennis team.
 
As an assistant, Payne helped the Broncos to two MAC Tournament Championships and four consecutive MAC Regular Season Titles from 2021-24. WMU has produced 14 All-MAC selections during Payne's time and two MAC Player of the Year award winners in Jannik Opitz (2021) and Anton Arzhankin (2025). Opitz also left WMU as the all-time winningest player in program history.
 
"We are excited to have Stephen step into this leadership role with our women's tennis program," said Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae. "As both a former student-athlete and an assistant coach, Stephen has invested more than a decade as a Bronco. He has been instrumental in building a championship culture with our men's team, and I know he will bring that same leadership and vision to our women's program. We are confident he will continue to elevate our student-athletes and position WMU Women's Tennis for success on and off the court."
 
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity as Interim Head Coach for the women's program," said Payne. "I'd like to thank Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae for trusting me as the steward for this year's team. I'd also like to thank Men's Head Coach Dave Morin for his mentorship over the past five seasons. Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo have become part of my DNA and are places where student athletes will have everything they possibly need to succeed and thrive. Our staff will work to preserve the strong tennis history of the program and make WMU a destination for talented athletes in the future. Go Broncos!"
 
Payne graduated in 2016 from Western Michigan with a Bachelor's Degree in Management. He played four seasons for WMU from 2012-16, winning two MAC Championships. Payne also achieved a career-high ITA Doubles Ranking of No. 37 in Jan. of 2016. He is a two-time Hap Sorensen Coaches' Award winner, he was a part of the 2014 and 2015 WMU Doubles Team of the Year, alongside Matt Hamilton. Payne also served as a team captain.
 
"Stephen has been with the Broncos for over 10 years, both as a player and as an assistant coach, and I've gotten to know him very well during that period," said Morin. "He's always looking for ways to enhance our program and improve our players, and his work ethic, passion for tennis, and people skills will serve him well. I couldn't think of a better candidate to lead our women in his new role as the interim head coach for the women's tennis program."
 
The Broncos begin their fall season on Sept. 12-13 at the Hope College Invitational in Holland, MI. Western Michigan University will also host the MAC Individual Championships on Oct. 3-5.