Page 7 - Rochester Athletics - Summer 2014 Newsletter
P. 7
ping His Eye on the Ball: Matt Nielsen Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Tennis
Academically, both teams excel. Since the
2008–09 season, 64 players have earned
the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
Scholar-Athlete Award (average GPA of
3.5 or above) and 59 have been named to
the UAA All-American Team (average GPA
of 3.3 or above). The women have earned
the ITA All-Academic Team Award (average
team GPA of 3.2 or higher) for all six years
and the men’s team has received the honor
five times. “I’m proud of these players,” says
Nielsen. “Academics are their priority. They
complement their studies with such passion
for this game.”
Nielsen credits Peter Lyman, legendary
coach after whom the tennis courts here
are named, with shaping his coaching
Matt Nielsen began wielding a tennis racket Over the course of his tennis career, a few “Peter exemplified the best in
when he was just 4 years old. By the time he moments stand out. As a player, Nielsen coaching,” adds Nielsen. “He
was 8, he was playing United States Tennis recounts one match in particular when he stressed that you are going
Association (USTA) tournaments. His dad—a was at Penn State. “A match I won clinched to win some matches and you
tennis devotee equipped with a strong work the win for our team at the NCAAs against are going to lose others, but
ethic and a passion for family—was always at Columbia. It meant a lot for me and it was a learning to be a team player
his side, taking him to the most competitive big win for the team.” and caring for others more
matches around the country. At 14, Nielsen than yourself is what really
earned his highest ranking, 44th in the As a coach, 2010 stands out as a stellar year matters.”
country—not bad for a boy who grew up for the women’s team. “We beat Washington
in Lima, N.Y., a sleepy village about 25 miles University—which was ranked 14th at the philosophy. Although Lyman never coached
south of Rochester. time—in a breakthrough match. It lasted him, their paths crossed often when Nielsen
more than four hours and had all sorts of played youth tennis. He grew up familiar with
Nielsen went on to play 1st doubles and 2nd upsets and surprises in it. The team really Lyman’s style, reputation, and commitment to
singles at Penn State University where he pulled it off in the end.” the game.
earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in
2001. After graduating, he headed back to the This past year has been a big year for the Nielsen tells stories of how Lyman, even in
Rochester area, worked as a pro at Midtown men. “Early in the season, we beat Vassar his retirement, would attend nearly every
Tennis Club and Irondequoit Country Club, and hadn’t done so since 2006. Then we home match. Students and alumni always lit
and then landed an assistant coaching beat the College of New Jersey, another very up when they saw him. “Peter exemplified the
position at the University. He held that job for competitive team. And just this spring, we best in coaching,” adds Nielsen. “He stressed
five years while also earning an MBA at the beat NYU on our home courts during alumni that you are going to win some matches and
Simon School. weekend. We hadn’t beaten them in three you are going to lose others, but learning to
years.” be a team player and caring for others more
Today, Nielsen is head coach for the men’s than yourself is what really matters.”
and women’s tennis teams, a post he has Nielsen hopes to continue the momentum
had for the last six years. In this role, he has for the men’s team, which is now ranked For next season, Nielsen is focused on
worked with nearly 150 student-athletes. 37th in the country and 14th in the northeast improving and addressing challenges as they
“It’s gratifying working with these students,” region. Although the women’s team is no come up. “I really just want us to be the best
Nielsen says. “They are all high-achievers who longer ranked, the team is striving to be we can be,” he says.
are willing to put in the work, make sacrifices, ranked again. “I feel good about this year’s
and do everything necessary to be successful recruitment efforts for both teams. We have
on the court and in the classroom.” solid players who are also strong students.”
Academically, both teams excel. Since the
2008–09 season, 64 players have earned
the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
Scholar-Athlete Award (average GPA of
3.5 or above) and 59 have been named to
the UAA All-American Team (average GPA
of 3.3 or above). The women have earned
the ITA All-Academic Team Award (average
team GPA of 3.2 or higher) for all six years
and the men’s team has received the honor
five times. “I’m proud of these players,” says
Nielsen. “Academics are their priority. They
complement their studies with such passion
for this game.”
Nielsen credits Peter Lyman, legendary
coach after whom the tennis courts here
are named, with shaping his coaching
Matt Nielsen began wielding a tennis racket Over the course of his tennis career, a few “Peter exemplified the best in
when he was just 4 years old. By the time he moments stand out. As a player, Nielsen coaching,” adds Nielsen. “He
was 8, he was playing United States Tennis recounts one match in particular when he stressed that you are going
Association (USTA) tournaments. His dad—a was at Penn State. “A match I won clinched to win some matches and you
tennis devotee equipped with a strong work the win for our team at the NCAAs against are going to lose others, but
ethic and a passion for family—was always at Columbia. It meant a lot for me and it was a learning to be a team player
his side, taking him to the most competitive big win for the team.” and caring for others more
matches around the country. At 14, Nielsen than yourself is what really
earned his highest ranking, 44th in the As a coach, 2010 stands out as a stellar year matters.”
country—not bad for a boy who grew up for the women’s team. “We beat Washington
in Lima, N.Y., a sleepy village about 25 miles University—which was ranked 14th at the philosophy. Although Lyman never coached
south of Rochester. time—in a breakthrough match. It lasted him, their paths crossed often when Nielsen
more than four hours and had all sorts of played youth tennis. He grew up familiar with
Nielsen went on to play 1st doubles and 2nd upsets and surprises in it. The team really Lyman’s style, reputation, and commitment to
singles at Penn State University where he pulled it off in the end.” the game.
earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in
2001. After graduating, he headed back to the This past year has been a big year for the Nielsen tells stories of how Lyman, even in
Rochester area, worked as a pro at Midtown men. “Early in the season, we beat Vassar his retirement, would attend nearly every
Tennis Club and Irondequoit Country Club, and hadn’t done so since 2006. Then we home match. Students and alumni always lit
and then landed an assistant coaching beat the College of New Jersey, another very up when they saw him. “Peter exemplified the
position at the University. He held that job for competitive team. And just this spring, we best in coaching,” adds Nielsen. “He stressed
five years while also earning an MBA at the beat NYU on our home courts during alumni that you are going to win some matches and
Simon School. weekend. We hadn’t beaten them in three you are going to lose others, but learning to
years.” be a team player and caring for others more
Today, Nielsen is head coach for the men’s than yourself is what really matters.”
and women’s tennis teams, a post he has Nielsen hopes to continue the momentum
had for the last six years. In this role, he has for the men’s team, which is now ranked For next season, Nielsen is focused on
worked with nearly 150 student-athletes. 37th in the country and 14th in the northeast improving and addressing challenges as they
“It’s gratifying working with these students,” region. Although the women’s team is no come up. “I really just want us to be the best
Nielsen says. “They are all high-achievers who longer ranked, the team is striving to be we can be,” he says.
are willing to put in the work, make sacrifices, ranked again. “I feel good about this year’s
and do everything necessary to be successful recruitment efforts for both teams. We have
on the court and in the classroom.” solid players who are also strong students.”
