Upcoming Event: Men's Tennis at NC State on January 23, 2026 at 1 p.m.
/
1 p.m.
Men's Tennis
at NC State
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Men's Tennis Remembers Coach John LeBar
1/21/2026 11:49:00 AM | Men's Tennis
DURHAM, N.C. - Duke men's tennis enjoyed three sweeps during its season opening weekend, but celebrated much more than victories as numerous former student-athletes gathered to honor and remember head coach Dr. John LeBar.Â
Dr. LeBar joined Duke in 1964 and served as the head fencing coach before becoming the Blue Devils' men's tennis coach. From 1971-82, Dr. LeBar led the tennis program to a 183-89 overall record and a 41-33 mark in ACC competition. He guided Duke to its first ACC tennis championship in 1982, when the squad finished 31-4.Â
"The matches this past weekend were really because on Saturday we celebrated the life of Coach John LeBar, who won our program's first ACC title in 1982," head coach Ramsey Smith said. "We had 12 of his former players here for the weekend. They were here on Friday and the first match on Sunday. It was extra special to all to have them all back on campus, celebrating Coach LeBar, a legend who really spearheaded success within our program. I feel like we dedicated this whole weekend and its three wins to Coach LeBar and everything he did for Duke and Duke tennis."
Away from the courts, Dr. LeBar was a founding member of the Duke Faculty Club, ran the Duke Day Camp for 12 years, organized and founded the Duke Children's Classic and continued to volunteer his time and talent to numerous charity organizations.Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMTEN". Â
#GoDuke
Dr. LeBar joined Duke in 1964 and served as the head fencing coach before becoming the Blue Devils' men's tennis coach. From 1971-82, Dr. LeBar led the tennis program to a 183-89 overall record and a 41-33 mark in ACC competition. He guided Duke to its first ACC tennis championship in 1982, when the squad finished 31-4.Â
"The matches this past weekend were really because on Saturday we celebrated the life of Coach John LeBar, who won our program's first ACC title in 1982," head coach Ramsey Smith said. "We had 12 of his former players here for the weekend. They were here on Friday and the first match on Sunday. It was extra special to all to have them all back on campus, celebrating Coach LeBar, a legend who really spearheaded success within our program. I feel like we dedicated this whole weekend and its three wins to Coach LeBar and everything he did for Duke and Duke tennis."
Away from the courts, Dr. LeBar was a founding member of the Duke Faculty Club, ran the Duke Day Camp for 12 years, organized and founded the Duke Children's Classic and continued to volunteer his time and talent to numerous charity organizations.Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMTEN". Â
#GoDuke
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