Belmont Abbey College Men's Tennis

Michael Salomon is in his sixth season as head coach for Belmont Abbey Tennis, overseeing both the men's and women's programs. He came to The Abbey from Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md., where he served as an assistant coach for one year after a solid career for the Mountaineers. During his time at The Abbey, Salomon has led the Crusaders to unprecedented success. The men's team shared the Conference Carolinas regular-season title for the first time in 2017, advancing to the championship match for the first time as well. The Crusaders finished the year 21-13 overall, including 9-1 in the league and had three players -- George Barfoot (first-team), Zachary Blythe (second team) and James Delaney (second-team) earn all-conference honors. Additionally, four men's players and a women's player were named to the academic all-conference team. Barfoot enters the spring portion of the schedule ranked 14th in the region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. He advanced to the Round of 16 Main Draw at the ITA Southeast Regionals in September. In 2015, his first year with the Crusaders, he led the men to a nine-win season, seven more than the previous year, while the women also posted an improvement. On the men’s side, Delaney was recognized as third-team All-Conference Carolinas selection after going 6-4 in doubles and 7-3 in singles during league play. Delaney also became the first player to earn ITA Regional honors since the program was restarted in 2010 as he was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Region Rookie of the Year. In addition, the doubles team of Conner McMann and Juan Baez made it to the Round of 16 in the Main Draw of the ITA Southeast Regional, defeating a nationally-ranked Lander team before falling to the No. 3 team in the nation from Armstrong State. McMann and Baez also knocked off other nationally-ranked doubles competition throughout the course of the spring season. A former Northeast Conference Men's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Salomon finished his four-year career as the Mount's career singles leader with 74 victories. The Haymarket, Virginia native compiled a 74-33 singles record, including a program record 56 dual match singles wins. His 56 wins in doubles play are also the most by any Mount player in school history. A 2012 First Team All-Northeast Conference selection at No. 4 singles, Salomon helped lead the Mountaineers to the NEC Semifinals as a junior and senior. Following his junior campaign, Salomon was named the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's tennis. As a senior in 2012-13, Salomon received the Sheridan Award, which is voted on by the Mount athletic department. It is awarded to the college student-athlete, who, through athletic and academic achievement, has exemplified the spirit and dedication demanded by intercollegiate athletics, and who, through such activity has fostered the ideals of Monsignor John L. Sheridan and Mount St. Mary's University. Salomon graduated from Mount Saint Mary's in 2013 with a double major in Economics and Business and earned his MBA in 2014. 

Came to Belmont Abbey August, 2020 Previous Experience 2024 - present Belmont Abbey -- Assistant Coach 2023 - 2024 Belmont Abbey College -- Graduate Assistant Coach Education B.A. in Business Management -- Belmont Abbey College, 2023 B.A. in Sports Management -- Belmont Abbey College, 2023 M.B.A. in Business Management, -- Belmont Abbey College, 2024