Tennis to some is just a recreational pastime. To Russ Crispell, head coach of the UB men's tennis team, it has been a lifetime commitment.
Crispell graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education. Players say he has shown an immense passion for coaching in his eleven years as UB's head coach.
Crispell said that during his college years he encountered an unprofessional coach who he said did not represent the true meaning of a good coach. This experience drove his from his first love, baseball, to tennis.
"I was a baseball player all my life until I moved to Florida and came across a coach with horrible coaching skills," said Crispell. "So then I decided to pick up tennis."
After playing tennis, Crispell began coaching. He has coached middle school, high school, and college tennis programs in each of the three NCAA divisions. These experiences as a coach have made him feel as though tennis is not just a pastime.
"Tennis is a lifetime sport, an Olympic sport, that uses every muscle in your body and brain in dynamic ways," said Crispell.
Crispell has established himself as an advocate for tennis locally as well as nationally. He is certified by both the USPTA and USPTR, and is both a Regional Representative for the Eastern Tennis Association's Junior Recreation Committee and a USTA National Clinician.
A true fan of physical activity, Crispell serves as the coordinator of UB's Outdoor pursuits program. Although he is a dedicated advocate and coach, Crispell feels his main job is as an educator to his student athletes.
"I have a job as a coach as well as an educator," said Crispell. " I educate my student-athletes about life and building their life skills to make them better leaders.
Five Random Questions
Q: What is your favorite season of the year?
A: I would have to say I love autumn because of the colors and cool nights.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Fresh wild Alaskan salmon grilled in teriyaki sauce over a hot campfire.
Q: What is one of the teams that you think will make it to the Super Bowl this year?
A: New England will go to the Super Bowl. Their coach is brilliant. He prepares his players well.
Q: If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
A: I would go to Iraq to see what is really going on over there.
Q: What is the best part of camping?
A: The best part of camping is the incredible scenery. Seeing the sun set over a mountaintop is a life-changing view.
