Bio

Buster Stewart has been the Gadsden State tennis coach for 20 years. During his tenure, the Cardinals have finished 10 times in the Top 25 and 17 times in the Academic Top 30. They have claimed two Conference Championships and eight runner-up finishes during that span. 

Stewart played collegiate-level tennis at Gadsden State (1971-1973) and Shorter College (1973-1975). During his four years of college play, he was 118-42 in singles matches, 108-40 in doubles and was named All Conference two out of four years.  Stewart participated in the National Tournament three of his four seasons with his Shorter College team finishing ninth in the nation in 1975. He was named ITA Region IV Coach of the Year in 2008 and NJCAA Region 22 Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2011. He received the USPTA Professional Award in 2023 for his 40 years of playing and coaching. He is classified as an Elite USPTA teaching professional.

Coach Stewart is assisted by his wife, Paula (Coach P), and Dan Berry. Coach Stewart and Coach P were both formerly ranked in the Top 10 in the state of Alabama.  The Stewarts served as volunteer tennis coaches at Southside High School for 12 seasons,  where 13 students earned college tennis scholarships during their tenure.  The Stewarts have also served as Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle Leaders at Gadsden State. Dan is a veteran top-ranked player of southern USTA tournaments and is also a certified USPTA teaching professional.