Categorized | Sports, Tennis

Hansen selected as UH-Hilo’s tennis coach

MEDIA RELEASE

Scott Hansen

Scott Hansen

Scott Hansen has been selected as the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s men’s and women’s tennis coach. Dexter Irvin, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, made the announcement today, ensuring the successful continuation of Vulcan tennis.

Hansen, who has lived in Pahoa since 2007, has over24 years of coaching experience and was the 2002 and 2004 Orange Empire Conference (CA) Coach of the Year. His teams won five consecutive conference championships and had a phenomenal 44-0 overall conference record. Hansen played NCAA Division I tennis at San Diego State University and at Saddleback College where he claimed the 1991 California Community College State Doubles Championship.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me,” said Hansen. “I look forward to the challenge in building on the solid foundation put forth by Kula Oda and the community.

“Helping young people become strong young adults that contribute back to the community and represent the University of Hawaii at Hilo is the ultimate goal.”

After 14 seasons as head coach for men’s and women’s tennis, Oda resigned in May to become a teaching professional in West Hawaii. His programs were instrumental in the development of junior tennis on the island and infusing the Vulcan program into the tennis community.

“We certainly expect no less of an effort by Coach Hansen,” said Irvin. “We believe Scott will be a positive force for stability as we work with our community to continue the strong outreach that was started and enhanced by Kula.

“Tennis is a staple for us and we are determined, as any good Vulcan is, to continue to fund and compete with our tennis programs.”

Hansen will oversee all aspects of the tennis programs including recruiting and community tennis development.

“I have a lot of respect for Scott,” said Executive Director of the United States Tennis Association-Idaho Steve Bickham. “Scott developed a high level junior program for us in San Diego and I am confident that he can do the same in Hawai‘i.”

Retired Saddleback College Head Coach and Athletic Director Bill Ota called Hansen, “an excellent young man and a high class guy. I can’t rate him any higher.”

Hansen inherits a men’s team that was 4-15 last season and a women’s team that was 6-16. Both teams have several returning upperclassmen with experience in the Pacific West Conference.

The PacWest has grown to 14 institutions and could have five or six top-20 men’s and women’s tennis teams this coming season.

The PacWest consists of Academy of Art University, Azusa Pacific University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, California Baptist University, Chaminade University, Dixie State College, Dominican University, Fresno Pacific University, Grand Canyon University, Hawaii Pacific University, UH Hilo, Holy Names University, Notre Dame de Namur University and Point Loma Nazarene University.

One Response to “Hansen selected as UH-Hilo’s tennis coach”

  1. parv says:

    Is “community tennis” devoid of adult tennis program?

Trackbacks/Pingbacks


Leave a Reply to parvCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.