Albuquerque Academy has announced that it has hired a new coach for the varsity boys tennis team. Tim Cass, a former All-American tennis player and seasoned college coach, will lead the Chargers beginning with the start of the season in February.
Cass was born in Ohio and grew up in Southern California. At age seven, he started to have a passion for tennis and when he was 15, Cass fully focused on tennis. Cass started his tennis career as a player at UNM from 1982 to 1987. Cass would continue his time at UNM, becoming a young head coach at the age of 23 in 1988, a role he held until 1996.
Cass then moved on to coach at Texas A&M University from 1996 to 2006.
Afterwards, for the next 10 years, Cass returned to UNM where he worked as the Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operation Officer.
Most recently, he served as the general manager of the USTA’s (United States Tennis Association) national campus in Orlando, Florida.
In his 18 years as a college head coach, his teams qualified for 16 consecutive NCAA tournaments, and he led them to nine conference titles. He also earned conference coach of the year honors eight times and was a four-time finalist for the NCAA Division I Coach of the Year.
Cass was an All-American player in 1986 and was recently inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2011 and the UNM Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Cass looks to continue his success at Academy, where he will attempt to extend the boys current streak of 20 consecutive state championships.
“I have incredible admiration for the Academy and have recruited many players from there over the years,” said Cass. “I think the world of it academically but it [Academy] also represents passion and pride and it has an amazing athletic tradition. I truly think it is one of the real gems of the state of New Mexico.”
Cass also addressed what it means to coach the championship team:
“There’s been an incredible tennis tradition at the Academy. I hope to carry forward this great tradition. My hope is to have an impact on the players and their development for life. You can learn certain skills such as time management and discipline. Competition prepares you for life. I’m really looking forward to coaching these fine individuals.”
Cass’s tennis skills also run in his family. He has coached his two sons who are now attending college. Cass says it’s important for tennis to be fun and presses upon the notion that teammates should be supportive of each other. He’s a big believer in teamwork and stresses the growth of the individual as well as the athlete.
Cass says he’s excited to continue the strong tennis tradition at Academy when he begins coaching the team in February, seeking Academy’s 21st tennis state championship.
