Recruiting Trip to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York City

I had very productive recruiting trips to the college showcase days in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York City over the past few weekends. I was very excited about the recruits that I had the chance to speak with and watch play at the showcases. Coach Luteran and I are very excited about the prospects for next year and where the tennis program is headed. We are also excited to see the number of recruits playing in the off-season and competing in USTA tournaments, it is very encouraging!

~Coach Eisele

Allegheny men's tennis finishes 18th in Central Region

Nov 7, 2008

MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny College men's tennis team finished its 2008 fall campaign ranked 18th in the Central Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

The Gators posted a 2-4 overall record, collecting wins over foes
Grove City and Mount Union. The Gators' schedule featured just three contests against Division III opponents as the squad narrowly missed out on wins against Division I Robert Morris and Division II Mercyhurst, falling 3-4 and 4-5, respectively.

Matt Chiricosta (Pictured-Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius) paced the Gators in singles play with a 4-2 record at No. 1 singles where he ended the season on a three-match winning streak.

Chiricosta also paced the Gators in doubles play with partner Benjamin Hurtek (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls). The duo recorded a 5-1 mark at No. 1 doubles as their only loss came at the hands of Division II West Virginia Wesleyan.

The Gators were just one of four teams within the North Coast Athletic Conference to finish the fall season ranked in the Central Region's Top 25.

Allegheny is next in action on Feb. 22 when it begins the spring season against John Carroll at 10 a.m. at the Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, Pa.

Why We Play D-III Athletics

"It’s not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It’s a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don’t even know.

We don’t practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don’t lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don’t run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It’s a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don’t sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don’t let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans.

But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It’s about pride—in ourselves, in our school. It’s about our love and passion for the game. And when it’s over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes."

-Author unknown

Facilities

We have 12 US Open Deco Turf outdoor courts with lights and a newly installed sound system. All 12 courts were resurfaced in the summer of '09. We have speakers on all the courts and a volume control for every court. Our players can plug in their Ipods during practice and for pre-match music. Before every match we introduce the players on a wireless mic and play the National Anthem. We also have 4 indoor courts located at the Wise Center which is our indoor athletic facility on campus.