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First Year Coach VandenBoogaard Hopes To Fill Big Shoes
The Red Hawk's men's tennis team will have an unfamiliar look to it this season. 2007 will mark the first time in 39 years that Charlie Larson isn't on the sidelines. The coaching legend retired at the end of last season after 14 conference championships. Larson won't have to look very far to pass the torch however, as Paul VandenBoogaard, who played for Larson for the past four years, will take over the reigns of the program.
"There's some pressure in taking over for a legend like coach Larson, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," said VandenBoogaard. "Coach Larson has taught me so much throughout my four years playing, that I believe I will be able to take over and do a good job. The thing I have to remember is to create my own identity and try not live up to coach Larson's legacy."
VandenBoogaard walks right into a great situation for a first-year head coach. Ripon returns three key contributors from last seasons team that finished 11-9, including a 4-0 first place finish in the Midwest Conference North Division.
The team's top returning player will be junior Dave Czarnecki (Brookfield, Wis.). Senior Ben Metzler (Green Bay, Wis.) and sophomore Dan Wieler (Aurora, Ill.) also return for the '07 season to help form a nucleus that hopes to bring home a conference title, after a three-year hiatus.
"Dave had a solid season last year at number two singles and a very good year at number one doubles. This season, I look for him to play either number one or two singles, while returning to number one doubles and have an even better year than last season," said VandenBoogaard. "Ben and Dan will each help out the team significantly in the middle of the lineup, and I look for each of them to have a great year and keep improving."
Those veterans will be joined by a couple freshmen, including George Higgins, who may see a lot of playing time. Higgins will be looked at to compete very high in Ripon's lineup and contribute in his first year of collegiate tennis.
They younger players may be thrown into the mix early on to prepare them for the MWC season. Ripon will once again face a very competitive Midwest Conference schedule. Grinnell has won the conference title the last three years and returns almost every player from last season's team.
"The Midwest conference is going to be very tough this year," said VandenBoogaard. "I look for
St. Norbert to be our biggest competition in the North, while Grinnell and Monmouth should compete for the top spot in the south."
One obstacle VandenBoogaard may have to get over this year is the fact that he will now be in an authoritative role, coaching the same players that he played alongside last season. It will be quite a difference, but could actually help the team more than one would think.
"When I first took the job, one of my concerns was coaching some of my former teammates, but after talking with my family and coach Larson, I realized that it should not be a big deal as long as the guys know that I'm their coach now and not a teammate," said VandenBoogaard. "The guys on the team that I played with are very good people and I don't see it being a problem. They have respect for me, and I feel like they will be more comfortable knowing me already and can just concentrate on winning."
Another challenge VandenBoogaard may face this year is that now he will be trying to win the match on the sideline by teaching, rather than on the court by playing, as he did last season.
"I am going to see the competition from a different point of view now. It will be more stressful being a coach having to watch things instead of being the one determining the outcome, said VandenBoogaard. "I look forward to whatever comes and I know that it is going to be hard not being able to just put on the shoes and grab the racket to help my team."
There are many goals for the 2007 version of the Red Hawks men's tennis program, but the most important thing that coach VandenBoogaard will stress is just to improve every day and play as hard as you possibly can.
"I have been around the game long enough and learned from some great coaches, which includes coach Larson, so I expect our team to compete with the elite teams in the conference and finish near the top."
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