For Grand Valley State University tennis coach John Black, coaching is better in doubles – and by doubles, that means two teams.

Born in Bordentown, N.J., Black is in his ninth year as head coach of both the men and women’s teams.

“I actually taught tennis to help pay for college,” said Black, the 2006 GLIAC women’s tennis coach of the year. “Even after I finished school, I decided to stick with tennis instead of getting a job with my degree in English.”

As unusual as it sounds, the idea of one coach leading both tennis teams is not too far out of the ordinary in Division II and Division III athletics. Black, who is also a certified tennis professional at Ramblewood Tennis and Health Club in Grandville, heard about the school’s coaching opening through a friend in 2002-03.

“I was coaching high school tennis in New Jersey when I heard the position was available,” Black said. “I had experience coaching and teaching tennis, and I felt like this job was the next step in my career.”

Since arriving at GVSU, Black has not only impacted the success of the tennis programs, but also the recruiting and teaching aspects of it.

“The success we have seen from the men and women has definitely helped me recruit,” Black said. “Most of our players are from Michigan, and when prospects look at colleges and they see that their friends and former teammates are here, it makes it that much easier for me.”

Black led the men’s team to its first appearance in the NCAA Division II Championships in 2005. Normally under-whelming prior to Black’s arrival, the squad has returned to the tournament four out of the past five seasons, only adding to the successful turnaround.

The women, who Black feels found their stride a little earlier in his tenure than the men, have made it to nationals eight years in a row.

“It’s great to get there at first, but it’s getting to that point that made us realize how much we had to improve as a team.” Black said. “Consistency is key. It’s gradual improvement, not overnight, and every year our teams have improved.”

From hosting off-season practices (three days a week in the fall – five days in the winter) that look to build competition within the team to being there to help his players with any inquiries, it is safe to assume that Black loves tennis, and his players have taken note of it.

“He has us do a lot of practice, which is a great way to get experience at the college level playing guys who know what they’re doing,” said junior Josh Kazdan, who was the men’s No. 5 singles player last season. “Coaching both teams shows that he is able to separate the team’s needs and balance his time between us.”

Coaching two teams is not always easy, however. Black said the communication aspects of the game is different between the men and women, and sometimes things that may work with the men might not necessarily work with the women. Despite some things being temporarily lost in translation, Black still loves what he does here at GVSU.

“The best part of this job is that I get a lot of people to play tennis with,” joked Black. “Both teams are more intense when they’re together and there is a lot of camaraderie and support between them – it’s like a big family.”

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