Hall of Fame
Georgi Beloretchki is the first tennis player to be inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a student-athlete on the men's tennis team from 2001-02 and was an assistant coach from 2003-05, serving under both former head coach Scott Linn and current head coach Dave Paschal.
As a player, Beloretchki, who hails from Sofia Bulgaria, played at the top spots in the Eagles' singles and doubles line-ups. He compiled a 27-25 singles ledger, but doubles competition was the true strength of Beloretchki's game as he closed out his career with a 48-19 doubles record, which places him tied for 15th on the Eagles' all-time doubles wins list.
In the fall of 2001, Beloretchki teamed up with Juriaan de la Beij for a fourth-place finish at the ITA/NAIA National Tournament. The following year, Beloretchki partnered with Nicolas Bousquet and the tandem swept the ITA Florida Regional tournament on the way to a third-place national championship finish.
In the fall of 2003, a change in the NAIA eligibility rules brought Beloretchki's collegiate career to an abrupt end. It was not the end of his involvement with the tennis program, however, as he stayed on as an assistant coach for three more seasons, helping the Eagles to three conference and regional championships and an NAIA National Tournament semifinal appearance in 2005.
Although he was unable to compete in his junior season, Linn opted to nominate Beloretchki for the ITA Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship, given to individuals who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. While he was unable to play a single point in team competition, Belorechki's character and value to his team was very much in evidence and he was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award, one of the most prestigious in college tennis.
Beloretchki garnered many other honors during his time with the Eagles. He became the first ERAU men's tennis player to earn All-America recognition, as he was a second team selection in 2001 and a first team honoree in 2002. The program's first ITA All-American, he was also named to the All-Conference roster, was an Academic All-Conference selection and was the recipient of the team's MVP and Player's Player awards.
Beloretchki's legacy at Embry-Riddle resulted in a men's tennis award being named in his honor. The Beloretchki award is presented annually to a student-athlete from the men's tennis team who exemplifies the student-person-player ideal.
Beloretchki graduated with honors from ERAU with a degree in Aviation Business Administration in 2004 and he remained at Embry-Riddle to work on his MBA in Aviation with concentration in Finance, which he completed in 2007. He returned to his native Bulgaria in 2009 to work for Bulgarian Airways Group. His tenure with the company has included stints in finance, business and fleet analysis, as well as being the Chief Financial Officer of Aircompany Tatarstan in Kazan, Russia. He currently works with Bulgarian Airways Group coordinating projects related to fleet restructuring.
“Georgi changed the culture of the Embry-Riddle Men's Tennis Program when he arrived in the Spring of 2001. He immediately stepped into the program and embraced the opportunities (or challenges) the players faced each and every day. Early on, Georgi said very little but always led by example in the classroom, he never said more than what needed to be said to get his teammates going in the right direction. His teammates always respected him. As Georgi spent more and more time with them, he taught them how to be champions with the highest level of integrity.
“As the Head Coach, Georgi made me better as well. Georgi challenged me to bring my best every day, because he expected nothing less from his teammates and coaches. He was always extremely respectful, took on any and every challenge I put in front of him or the team, and was passionate about Embry-Riddle Tennis.”
Scott Linn
Embry-Riddle Head Tennis Coach (2000-04)
“Georgi is a great friend, a great tennis player, a great teammate and leader. Even when times were tough, such as when he had to end his career as a student-athlete early because of new NAIA rules, he stayed strong and helped all of us. I am not sure there was a better example of courage, commitment and dedication. After being told he wouldn't be able to compete with us anymore, he continued to come to all our games and practiced with us as if he were competing himself. As a very competitive person, I can assure you that Georgi was hurting inside from not being able to compete, yet he continued to support the team and do everything he could to make sure we were all going go get better.”
Alexandre Beaux
Embry-Riddle Men's Tennis (2000-03)
“For me Georgi represents a role model and is a person that inspires one to be the best one can be. I came in as an individual and I left after four year in the ERAU tennis program as a teammate. Georgi is partly responsible for taking this program to a higher level and a higher standard. I can recall so many situations where Georgi held himself and the rest of the team to a higher standard, leading by example every step of the way. I can only hope to transmit to you the feelings of gratitude and respect I have for this man and this tennis program that I truly believe changed who I am.”
Costin Coreanu
Embry-Riddle Men's Tennis (2002-05)
“A great story that summarizes Georgi's character and impact on ERAU tennis is after being ruled ineligible for his senior year due to rule changes from the NAIA, Georgi was still nominated and won the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. This award is the highest sportsmanship award granted by the ITA, the winners are flown to and honored at the U.S. Open. For someone to win this is a great honor; however, for someone to win this award nationally and not be eligible for competition but still be a valuable team member speaks volumes.”
Dave Paschal
Embry-Riddle Head Tennis Coach (2005-present)
