From University of Rochester Athletics
University of Rochester Tennis Head Coach Matt Nielsen has been awarded the Collegiate Award from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern Section.
Nielsen was honored at a ceremony last month at the USTA Eastern Conference, the regions annual professional development gathering.
The Collegiate Award is given annually to a college team or coach for performance of community service in connection with tennis and/or outstanding Tennis on campus contributions.
Michael Starke, the Council Director for the Western Region of the USTA/Eastern was responsible for nominating Rochester's 12th year head coach for the award.
Over the past two seasons, Nielsen has eclipsed the 100-win plateau with both the men's and women's teams at Rochester. He has been instrumental in the development of some of the region's top players, helping the Yellowjackets land multiple All-UAA players last season.
Rochester's men have also achieved a national top-40 ranking during parts of the last two seasons and started the 2018-19 season 9-0, the programs best start to a season since 1956.
Away from the court, the Yellowjackets have volunteered with the Golisano Children's Hospital Drive For Miracles Radiothon for a number of years, an initiative led by Nielsen and the Yellowjacket coaching staff.
Nielsen's Yellowjackets have also excelled in the classroom during his tenure, with over 100 players being named ITA Scholar Athletes with each of the teams earning the ITA's All-Academic Team Award at least ten times in the last dozen years.