Charlotte, NC - On National Girls & Women in Sports Day, the NJCAA celebrates the accomplishments of female student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and athletic supporters nationwide. One of the most influential women within the NJCAA Tennis community in recent years is Pernilla Hardin, Oxford Emory's (GA) men's and women's tennis head coach.
Hardin has made an impact amongst her student-athletes and within the Eagle community throughout her eight-year tenure. Coach Hardin was inducted into the GCAA (Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) Hall of Fame in August 2020 before being inducted into the NJCAA Women's Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a member of the 2021-22 class.
Hardin began her collegiate tennis career at NJCAA-member Florida Junior College (now Florida State College of Jacksonville), where she finished with an undefeated singles record of 27-0 and won the singles state championship tournament. Hardin continued her career at the University of North Florida and was awarded the NAIA National Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award.
During her tenure at Oxford Emory, the Eagles have brought home five consecutive men's tennis championships and six consecutive women's tennis championships. Coach Hardin has also been named Coach of the Year eight times.
Hardin has shown continued dedication to not only her tennis teams but also the Oxford Emory community. When not coaching, Hardin serves as a college instructor in the Center for Healthy Living. Placing an emphasis on success on and off the court, Hardin's men's and women's tennis teams have earned multiple NJCAA Academic Team of the Year awards as well as individual student-athlete All-Academic awards. In April of 2020, Oxford Emory's Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award was renamed in her honor.
Coach Hardin's impact within her community, family, and student-athletes has been felt throughout her career. Her passion for life and tennis has been felt by those around her, and the NJCAA Tennis community is lucky to have her.
About National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)
February 2, 2022, marks the 36th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength, and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life. This year's event will also serve as the kickoff of WSF's activations for the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, happening throughout 2022. A vibrant movement we celebrate annually, NGWSD honors the achievements of girls and women in sports and continues to Lead Her Forward by acknowledging the power of sports to unlock her limitless potential.