FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

May 31, 2013 – The North Central College athletic department is proud to announce the hiring of Nick DeFalco as head coach of the men's tennis program.

“I am thrilled and humbled by Athletic Director Jim Miller for seeking me out for the position,” said DeFalco.  “It was a position I was hoping would become available in the future and I couldn't be more excited to accept the position.”

DeFalco is a 2009 graduate of North Central and was a four-year member of the men's tennis team.  He has served as a transfer admission counselor since the fall of 2011 which will benefit in recruiting prospective student-athletes, and he is currently enrolled in the Master of Leadership Studies program at North Central.

“The biggest thing is getting students and parents on campus,” said DeFalco.  “The school sells itself, once they get on campus and begin to learn about the stellar academic opportunities, different clubs and activities, as well as knowing the prospective needs of students will definitely help me out. You can recruit students based on athletic ability, but being able to satisfy financial, academic and social needs are important at the Division III level.”

He currently serves as a tennis pro at Courts Plus Racket Club in Elmhurst, Ill. where he is responsible for creating lesson plans, supervising student and junior coaches as well as teaching tennis in high performance classes.  He also served as the head coach for the junior varsity team as well as a varsity assistant at York Community High School from 2009-2011.

“The one thing I really miss about coaching at York is the team aspect of the game.  I enjoy giving personal lessons, but you don't get the same interaction with individual lessons as you do in a team setting and that is something I am excited to return to,” said DeFalco.  “I attended a few practices and matches last season, so I've gotten to meet the team and see them play. We are only losing one senior, so we have a good group of talented players coming back next season.”

DeFalco replaces Mike Patrick who compiled an overall record of 34-51 while being named 2009 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Coach of the Year.

North Central finished the 2012-13 season with a record of 3-16, posting a 0-5 mark in CCIW play.