Aug. 3, 2007
The Patriot League recently conducted a brief question and answer session with Bucknell Men and Women's Tennis Head Coach Rebecca Helt . Helt has been coaching the women's squad for 10 year and added the duties as the head coach of the men's team in 2002.
PL: How did you get into coaching tennis?
RH: I started playing tennis when I was around five years old. My mom and dad both played so I played with them and spent a lot of time at the courts when they would play matches. I began getting serious about tennis when I was about 10 and took private lessons on a regular basis. I played throughout high school and college and played tournaments for fun. I don't remember there ever being a time when I wasn't around tennis. After college I began working with a teaching pro who was a Vic Braden protégé. He worked with me on stroke production, teaching techniques, error detection, etc. I became a certified USPTR instructor in 1991 and have continued to develop my skills as a teaching professional and coach. I worked at various clubs as a teaching pro until 1997 when the coaching position at Bucknell became available. Coaching is extremely rewarding and a lot different from the life of teaching pro.
PL: Describe how you balance coaching both the men's and women's tennis teams at Bucknell.
RH: For me, the key is in the scheduling, both practices and matches. During the first several years of coaching both, I needed to find quality men's and women's team's who would agree to play us on the same day. In many cases, that involves other coaches who coach both, so it works out for everyone. Traveling to the same places on the same days allows me to be with both teams equally.
PL: What has been your proudest coaching moment?
RH: I would have to say that watching my women's team fight there way back to the Patriot League finals last year was a very proud moment for me. Three of our starters were involved in a devastating car accident and the road back for everyone was long and brutal. We took our punishment as a team early in the season as we faced very tough competition. We never really expected that outcome last year, but it was the team that was so determined to end on a positive note. In addition, Ira Reibeisen winning the scholar-athlete award this year makes me very proud of him and our entire team.
PL: Share you thoughts in coaching in the Patriot League - a conference that prides itself on the scholar-athlete model.
RH: There are obviously many challenges when it comes to participating in Division I as a member of the Patriot League. But I feel that facing those challenges and often overcoming them are what sets us apart. I've always been impressed with the student-athletes that compete within the Patriot League. The way they are able to balance academics and athletics and in many cases set national standards in both is impressive.
PL: Any special plans for the summer?
RH: Having just finished 10 years of coaching at Bucknell, I planned to spend a lot of time "re-assessing" where our program is and where and how we can make it better. I spent a great deal of time talking with coaches from around the country to get a fresh, new perspective.
