Paula Baird joined the UAB women’s tennis coaching staff in July 2022, returning to her alma mater as one of the most accomplished players in program history. Competing under her maiden name Paula Biggs from 1994-98, Baird was nationally ranked in singles all four years of her collegiate career, reaching as high as No. 47 in the country as a senior. She also achieved a national doubles ranking three times, peaking at No. 30 in 1998. Baird made history as the first Conference USA singles champion in 1996 and captured multiple conference titles across both the Great Midwest Conference and Conference USA. She was a two-time All-Conference USA selection and helped lead UAB to conference championships in 1994 and 1996.
Baird represented UAB four times in singles and three times in doubles at the ITA South Region Championships. Her senior season was highlighted by becoming part of the first doubles team in program history to compete in the NCAA Championship, advancing to the second round. She graduated holding the program record for career singles victories with 72 wins. A native of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Baird earned her degree in biology from UAB in 1998. She resides in Birmingham with her husband, Win, and their three daughters, Katie, Annie, and Emily.
