Recruiting 101
Meet the Assistant: Princeton's Nathan Thompson
by Rhiannon Potkey, 8 November 2024
Share: | |
| | |
|
|
They fill a crucial role in every college program. They juggle multiple responsibilities and put in long hours behind the scenes. They arrive early to hit balls, they stay late to provide advice and they keep in contact with potential recruits.
They are assistant coaches.
Although they may not get as much attention as head coaches, they are highly valued by many.
In this edition of Meet The Assistant, we feature Princeton women’s assistant Nathan Thompson.
Why did you get into coaching?
I got into coaching because I had great mentors and coaches who had a positive impact on my life. Coach Chuck Kriese from Clemson has had a big impact on my playing career and my coaching career. Tennis has also taught me a lot about life, dealing with adversity, problem solving and being resilient.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy seeing players improve and achieving their goals. I love the game of tennis and think it is an excellent teacher of character. Being a coach is very rewarding because of the great relationships you can build with the players.
What is the most challenging aspect?
Recruiting is definitely challenging. It is highly competitive, which is great for the recruits. It takes a lot of time, consistency, and patience.
How much of your job is recruiting?
Recruiting is probably 75% of the job because it's something that can be done everyday. From phone calls to text messages as well as going to see recruits play in person, you spend a lot of time trying to find the right players for your program.
What are your strategies to identify recruits?
I look for how often the recruit plays tournaments, and how they compete when they are losing. I also look for individuals with positive attitudes on the court, and individuals with strong academic standing.
Best advice you would give to recruits?
Develop your game and get to the highest level you can in juniors and you will have the options of what college you want to play at. Don’t be afraid to play tournaments and compete. Do not pull out of the back draw. How you respond to losses can be a big sign to who you are as a player and how you respond to adversity. Have a great attitude on court. Who you are comes out in tough times.
What are your future aspirations?
I would love to have the opportunity to lead a program. I want to continue to develop players, and continue to develop as a coach.
About Ethos School
We are excited to have
Ethos School
as the title
sponsor of the
Recruiting 101
series of articles at TennisRecruiting.net.
Ethos School - Transforming Education for Athletes
Ethos School
is an online school committed to preparing next-level athletes with
next-level learning opportunities through flexible, high-quality
courses in a faith-based environment. Our online platform offers over
100+ a la carte courses for 4th-12th grade students, allowing families
the freedom to pick and choose what course(s) they would like their
child to take through either a fully homeschool or hybrid model. To
date, Ethos boasts an AP pass rate of over 80%, with student-athletes
going to universities such as the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point, Dartmouth, Auburn University, and
more.
One of the unique aspects of Ethos School is our commitment to
providing a holistic educational experience. Our students participate
in a live 1-hour video session with their teacher and peers each week.
These sessions offer enriching activities, opportunities to ask
questions, discuss coursework, and present projects.
We are thrilled to extend an exclusive offer to TRN recruits like
you. If you decide to enroll your child at Ethos School, we will waive
the $95 enrollment fee. Additionally, we will provide a complimentary
Academic Counseling session with one of Ethos' Academic Deans to plan
out your child's educational journey to ensure they are on the right
path for college and beyond.
To learn more about Ethos School, please visit
EthosSchool.org
- or connect with them on
Instagram,
Facebook,
or
YouTube,
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how Ethos can meet your child's educational needs, please schedule a call
here.
Leave a Comment
More Recruiting 101 Articles
28-Oct-2024
Recruiting Insider: Michigan State's Harry Jadun
Getting more insight into how college coaches recruit can make the process less intimidating for prospects. Our "Recruiting Insider" series features coaches from across the nation providing their recruiting methods. Today, we hear from Michigan State's Harry Jadun.
11-Oct-2024
USTA Eastern Prepares for 36th Annual College Showcase
USTA Eastern is holding its 36th annual College Showcase on November 10th in Mount Kisco, New York. Along with juniors and seniors participating in the showcase, the section is also offering a separate event for freshman and sophomores at the same site.
9-Oct-2024
Meet The Assistant: UC Irvine's Jurence Mendoza
Assistant coaches might not get as much attention as head coaches, but they are highly valued by everyone within a college program. They work long hours to help teams try to win matches and help players try to achieve their goals. In this edition of Meet The Assistant, we profile UC Irvine's Jurence Mendoza.
About Rhiannon Potkey
Rhiannon Potkey is a veteran sportswriter with more than two
decades of experience in journalism. Potkey has covered many
sports at many levels and has a passion for finding great stories.
Potkey has covered the U.S. Open, junior sectional and national
events, college conference championships and Davis Cup matches.
Potkey is currently Content Strategist for Tennis Recruiting. You
can reach Rhiannon by email at
[email protected].