Tennis Hall of Famer Returns to Northwestern
School of Education and Social Policy alumna Georgia Rose Munns (BS09), whose career catalyzed the success of the women’s tennis program, has been named assistant women’s tennis coach at Northwestern University.
Munns, a four -time All-American in singles and doubles, has spent the past nine seasons at the University of Washington. She was inducted into the Wildcats Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
"Georgia was part of some of the best teams ever here at Northwestern, and she will be a force in helping us get back to those heights,” said Northwestern coach Claire Pollard.
Munns was the second student in Northwestern history to qualify for the NCAA Singles Championship in all four years of her college career. She earned four All–Big Ten awards and was named the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2007 Big Ten Player of the Year.
Munns concluded her college career with 125 singles wins, including a 29-2 record in the Big Ten. She was named the 2009 ITA Midwest Regional Senior of the Year, ending the season ranked 21st nationally in singles as well as 13th in doubles after advancing to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals with partner Lauren (Lui) Statman (BS09).
“My four years were filled with learning challenges, failures, development, a lot of fun, and so much growth,” Munns said during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. “I appreciate the relationships Northwestern gave me and the sense of community.
Munns was most recently associate head coach at the University of Washington, whose women’s tennis team made its third NCAA championship appearance in 2022.
Prior to her stop in the Pacific Northwest, Munns spent two seasons as the University of South Carolina, where she was named the ITA Carolina Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013. She cut her teeth in the coaching ranks at the University of Illinois as an assistant coach just four months after finishing her collegiate career.
In the last of her three years on staff with the Fighting Illini, Munns was tabbed the ITA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year following a season in which Illinois finished 18-8 overall.
She and her husband, Keith, are parents to a son, Dylan, and daughter, Ellie. Munns' mother, Barbara Rose, was a member of England's national swim team, while her father, Graham Rose, played semi-professional soccer in England. Her brother, Andrew, plays professional soccer, having most recently spent three seasons (2019-21) with the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.
"I'm thrilled at the opportunity to come back to my alma mater,” Munns said. "I had the greatest experience as a student-athlete, and Northwestern has always held such a special place in my heart.”
For more on Munns, read: Former Wildcat Joins Women's Tennis Staff.