WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University assistant coach Payum Payman has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Northeast Region and National Men's Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year for 2011.

Payman, in his second year at Brandeis, earns his second career coaching award, having been selected as part of the 2010 University Athletic Association Coaching Staff of the Year, along with head coach Ben Lamanna. In 2011, Payman helped the Judges earn a national ranking for the first time in more than 20 years. The team reached as high as No. 22 in the nation, posting a final record of 10-11. Ten of the team's defeats came at the hands of squads that were nationally-ranked in Division III or Division I opponents. Payman helped senior Nick White of Wellesley, Mass., earn second-team All-UAA honors at first singles despite not taking over the top spot until just before the conference championship tournament.

"Payum is very deserving of this award," said Lamanna. "I watched Payum compete at Wheaton [(Mass.) College], and that's the primary reason I wanted to have him be a part of my team at Brandeis. He did a wonderful job of developing and motivating our players over [the past] two years. I can't thank him enough, because he [has been] a big part of helping both [the men's and women's] programs to a national ranking."

Payman will be leaving the Brandeis program in 2011 to enroll in law school.

- 30 -