Winningest coach in Baylor women’s tennis history — and now, a Baylor grad, too

In 22 seasons as head coach of the Baylor women’s tennis program, Joey Scrivano has built a record of success as the winningest coach in program history. This spring, he added a new title to his resume: Baylor graduate.

Scrivano walked the stage at Commencement in May after earning his master’s degree in sport pedagogy. For a coach who consistently encourages his players to be lifelong learners, it was a chance to live out what he preaches — and it provided a deeper appreciation for the experience his student-athletes receive at Baylor.

“As a recruiter, I’ve always talked about how great our professors are,” Scrivano says. “But to actually take classes and see how much they care about their students, and how diligent they are about teaching? I was so impressed. I couldn’t be prouder of our faculty; they are a big part of what makes Baylor so special, and it makes me so proud to not only work at Baylor, but to be a Baylor graduate.”

So, how did Scrivano decide to pursue a master’s degree while coaching a perennial postseason team? Those same faculty played a role. He had long built connections across campus as his students and assistant coaches studied or worked in programs like Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR). In one of those conversations, Dr. Glenn Miller, professor and sport pedagogy program director, encouraged Scrivano to pursue his master’s. Something clicked, and with the blessing of his family, he began to pursue his degree in 2019.

Stewarding a high-level program and becoming a student after over 20 years away (Scrivano graduated from Eastern Michigan in 1997) was a challenging balance, but one he embraced. To do so he relied on many of the time management habits he encouraged in his players (as well as the support of his wife, Courtney, an assistant athletic director at Baylor, and extended family). He also felt many of the same challenges as his player, like butterflies before a test and working late on a paper, and even took a few classes with his student-athletes. He also was able to apply concepts from the classes, like motor learning or coaching, directly into his work with the players.

Over a five-year period, he made steady progress toward the degree, finally completing his studies and earning the chance to walk the stage this year. To do so, he had to get past an “only in coaching” hurdle. Scrivano, who really wanted to walk, had a recruit visit the day of his ceremony. But Baylor made accommodations so he could visit with the recruit and walk the next day — an emotional experience.

“When I was walking up there, I could barely keep it together because it was so emotional,” Scrivano says. “I love this university so much, and to be able to say I’m a graduate means so much to me.”

To the best of our knowledge, Scrivano is the only Baylor head coach to earn a Baylor degree while coaching, and he now joins track & field’s Michael Ford (BBA ’97) as Baylor alumni currently serving here in a head coaching role.

Sic ’em, Coach Scrivano (MS ’24)!