For most high school athletes their time at their high school ends after they graduate. This is not the case for boys assistant tennis coach Cameron Crump who has been coaching for three years after spending four years being a Patriot tennis player himself.
“Coach Cam has a love for the sport,” Head Coach Jason Rodenberger said. “He contacted me and wanted to help out with the team and I couldn’t say yes fast enough.”
“I really enjoy playing tennis,” Crump said. “This is where I played so I’ve been around the school for a long time. I just wanted to give back and make the team successful.”
Crump is no ordinary coach on the staff as he currently attends the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he is studying business supply chain management but he still has several responsibilities as a member of the coaching staff.
“Coach Cam helps by occasionally organizing practices, coming up with drills, and providing support for our players, be it mental or emotional,” Rodenberger said.
“He gives us helpful tips on form and other things,” junior Caleb Schmidt said. “He’s always willing to help everyone and helps you with the basics first and then builds you up from there.”
As someone who spent four years playing varsity in high school, Crump is able to understand what the players are going through on a daily basis.
“He knows that the season can be a grind and how to navigate it,” Rodenberger said. “He is also still a fantastic player and can challenge our current players to help them get better. In his first season of coaching, he was tentative to say anything to our players, but he has found his voice and does a great job on our coaching staff.”
“He brings a perspective that is different from the other coaches,” junior Zachary Stoj said. “He can relate to us really well which helps the team perform at its best level.”
“I try to be a little bit stern but help at the same time,” Crump said. “I try to be supportive and get to know the kids. I talk to them, find out what they need from me and then try to be the best coach I can be,” he said.
