LAKE WALES, FL — Warner University Athletics is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Hignight as Head Coach for the Men's and Women's Tennis programs through the 2025 season. As the university navigates this transitional phase, we remain committed to fostering a positive and competitive environment for our student-athletes.
Coach Hignight brings a wealth of experience to Warner University. With a distinguished career spanning decades, he served as a private tennis pro in California from 1978 to 1988 and coached athletes at the ATP and WTA levels, including a finalist at the 1977 Wimbledon Championships. A former University of Idaho tennis player, Coach Hignight is also a Mixed Doubles Champion at the National Senior Games and has dedicated 38 years as a Tennis Pro at the Lake Wales Country Club.
Beyond his professional accolades, Coach Hignight's personal life exemplifies his dedication to family and community. He and his wife, Dianne, have three children: daughter Jessica Dement, and sons James and Jeremy Hignight.
"I strive to provide our student-athletes with a positive experience while helping them develop into strong, well-rounded young men and women, both on and off the court," said Coach Hignight. "My goal as a coach and teacher is to lead by example and make a meaningful impact in their lives."
Warner University Athletic Director, Sean Hanrahan, is thrilled to welcome Coach Hignight and is confident in his ability to guide our tennis program with expertise and passion during this pivotal time."Coach Joe has a wealth of experience as an expert teacher in the game of tennis. He is a great fit for our staff and our students as they transition into their next phase of life. Joe is extremely driven and committed to serving their academic and spiritual growth needs."
Currently, the student-athletes in our tennis program are our primary concern.While the tennis program will continue to compete through the 2025 season under Coach Hignight's guidance, we will be preparing each student with their transition. They can stay on campus for Fall Semester and finish their degree, while we connect them with one of the other teams or student life groups on campus. If necessary, we will assist them as they transition somewhere else. After speaking to the team, a majority of them will stay for Fall 2025 Semester or graduate this Spring."
Hanrahan went on to describe that the Warner University leadership team will continue to evaluate the long-term sustainability of the tennis program and assess its financial and facility needs to best serve our student-athletes prior to its return. This decision reflects our commitment to securing the necessary resources and support for our student-athletes and staff. Our goal is to resume competition once financial stability and facility needs have been established. That date could take several years.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Coach Nate Ganglehoff, who has led the Men's and Women's Tennis programs since 2021. Coach Ganglehoff's dedication and leadership have been instrumental in the development of our student-athletes and the success of our teams. As he embarks on a new coaching role in Tennessee, we wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Lastly, the Warner University leadership team would like to sincerely thank all past and present student-athletes, coaches, and supporters who have contributed to the legacy of Warner University Tennis. Your dedication and passion have laid the foundation for the program's future success. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our athletes throughout the 2025 season, and as always God Bless, and Go Royals.
