Don Taylor - Head Coach for 20 yearsIt has been Joyce’s (my wife) and my pleasure to be a part of the Taylor community for 25 year and for me 21 years working with the Men’s Tennis team, 20 as the head coach. I have also been a faculty member for 25 years teaching in the now Kinesiology Department with my area being tennis and sport management. Having a full-time faculty position has enabled me to have the longevity in coaching the tennis team and has had me on campus for my players and for visits from prospective players. It is a blessing to work in a community where not only can I live my faith but express it freely. It has also been a blessing to coach and mentor young men who have a passion to play tennis and to grow in their faith. Joyce and I view them as our sons and have them into our home several times a year for meals and fellowship. It is a blessing to count them as lifelong friends and to share in their lives after TU, e.g., attending their weddings. I teach our players that they we are a “Band of Brothers” who can be your friends after graduation, both in tough times and in good times. Another reward for me is seeing the number of my former players who have gone on to work in the tennis profession, both full time and part time, as coaches and/or private instructors. Several have served as my Assistant Coaches. One of the biggest challenges is recruiting. At Taylor we have to find young men who are good tennis players and the right fit for our program and University. Once we have found them, another challenge is to help them be able to attend TU from a financial standpoint, and that is where our alums, parents, and friends can help by giving to our endowment fund.
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John Noble - Assistant CoachAs a former player and current assistant coach at Taylor University, I have come to know the tennis program well over the years. I have come to value the many lessons that I learned while on the team that have shaped who I have become. Today, I still value the mental discipline that it took to be prepared for competition after working on homework or concentrating in class during the day. I value the way that it pushed me to put myself out there, to challenge myself for excellence day in and day out. The regular schedule meant that if I failed one day, there would be another match the next day and another opportunity for improvement or to work on things that needed attention. I think it helped me to apply these same disciplines into other parts of my life later on.
Currently as a coach, it has been fun to see other players improve and grow in some of the same ways that I did when I was their age. And if I'm honest, it is probably a way for me to revisit some of those happy experiences I had during my own playing days. The program today is the same great program that I had the privilege of playing under. The commitment to excellence and the God first attitude that was front and center in the program when I was a player, remains the focus of the Taylor Tennis today. |
Jon Forte - SR - Colorado Springs, CO |
Hello, my name is Jonathan Forte, and I am a Junior Communication major from Colorado Springs, as well as co-captain on the men’s tennis team at Taylor University. As a member of the tennis team, I have been privileged to enjoy Taylor Tennis for the past three years and have a passion to see others enjoy the same opportunity that I have had.
Taylor Tennis has meant so much to me because I have seen the impact it has had on my life and the valuable lessons I have learned from it. There is nothing quite comparable to sporting the Taylor Trojan on your chest and feeling the rush of competition in your veins. Through Taylor Tennis, I have learned how a sport can change a life. I have been pushed harder than I ever thought possible and have done more than I ever imagined I could. This program has pushed me both spiritually and mentally to deepen my character through competition and effort. I have learned what true leadership is and have been given an opportunity to develop my own leadership ability. The team has provided me with a group of guys that became my brothers and challenged me spiritually and physically. Through team led small groups and devotionals, I have experienced God in a deep and intimate way. The sport that I loved has been the catalyst not only to developing my character, but also my faith. I have seen how Taylor Tennis has impacted me, and am passionate to see others have the same opportunity to have the life changing experiences that have characterized my time on the team. |
Chris Robbins - SR - Goshen, IN |
Hello, my name is Chris Robbins and I am a Junior and Finance Major at Taylor University. Taylor tennis has truly change my life. Since coming in as a freshman, I have grown tremendously in many ways. Tennis itself has taught me so many life lessons, but Taylor Tennis has taught me so much about myself. I have seen the value of handwork pay off. I have seen the value of integrity, and I have also seen the value of community. Without the men in the tennis program, I can confidently say that I would not be the person I am today.
When I came in as a freshman, I wasn’t considered a high value recruit, but Coach poured into me and made me a much better player. I wish everyone could have the same experiences that I have had with the tennis team and Coach Taylor. Coach Taylor and the team have taught me about so much more than just tennis! |
Alex Jung - JR - Bloomington, IN |
Hello, my name is Alex Jung, and I am a sophomore from Bloomington, Indiana. For me, playing tennis at Taylor has been such a blessing in multiple ways. Firstly, I love to compete, and I love to play tennis. It's been such a blast to go out at practice and challenge one another everyday and then translate that to matches. I love playing the game of tennis and playing at Taylor has definitely enhanced this love of the game.
Secondly, the team aspect has also been such a blessing. I love summer break, but near the end of summer I get antsy and want to come back to see my teammates again. The tennis team honestly has a fantastic group of guys that care about one another on a personal and spiritual level. There's also never a dull moment with the guys on this team. Everyone on this team has certain qualities that let us bond together well and have fun. My teammates have meant a lot to me in my time at Taylor. |
Jacob Scott - JR - Franklin, IN |
My name is Jacob Scott and I’m a sophomore chemistry/pre-medicine major at Taylor. During my two years on the team, I’ve found that tennis has been a great way to keep me focused on school and grow in my faith as well. The other guys on the team are all great young men that I know I could ask for help in any situation if I needed it. I know that this isn’t the case on every team, so I am extremely grateful for this. The guys on the team all push each other spiritually as well as physically on the court. Team small groups and devotions have helped me mature spiritually, and have given me the opportunity to glorify God in ways other than the conventional Sunday morning format. Even though tennis does take up a lot of time, it helps me to sit down and focus on my school work because I have a limited amount of time. This makes my studying more effective.
I am also grateful for how Coach Taylor puts tennis in perspective for us. Regardless of our talent level, Coach pushes us to work hard and become the best we can be. Coach realizes that we are here to be students first and then athletes. He doesn’t let tennis negatively affect our studies, but every time we are on the court, he makes sure we give our best effort. We have a great team because of this mindset. This effort is also seen in our high team GPA and our rising ranking in the Crossroads league. |
Alex Hunter - SO - Bluffton, IN |
Hello, my name is Alex Hunter, and I am from Bluffton, Indiana. I am currently a freshman pursuing a double major in Marketing and Management/Systems. I have thoroughly enjoyed being on the tennis team at Taylor as it has continually pushes me to strive for excellence in every aspect of my life. Through my freshman year on the team, I have made substantial progress in developing my physical ability, spiritual walk, mental toughness, and leadership skills. The high-caliber, high-class tennis players on the team love the Lord, and they have made lasting impressions on my life.
Beginning at early camp, we came together and truly bonded, something that many cannot say they experience during their college years. Through these relationships and conversations, I have begun to truly find my purpose in life and to utilize my leadership skills for tasks that are far beyond me for the glory of the Kingdom of God. To me, Taylor tennis is so much more than just a tennis team. It is a program that continues to change the lives of individuals, and I have so much respect for everyone involved in it. I can confidently say that this program has changed the course of my life forever. |
Will Schaufelberger - SO - Greenville, IL |
Why do I love Taylor Tennis? I love Taylor Tennis because I get to compete and play a sport I love with brothers in Christ who challenge me everyday to improve physically, mentally, and spiritually. Why do I love Taylor Tennis? Because through tennis we are taught life values and things to strive toward in your walk with Christ. Why do I love Taylor Tennis? Because I get to be coached by a true man of God who teaches us so many things about tennis and life. Why do I love Taylor Tennis? Because I have gotten the chance to meet 10 awesome Godly men and a coach who strives to live life like Christ did.
I believe sports can teach and reveal so much about true character. In sports, you have to work with a team, compete, and handle adversity. Taylor tennis provides an opportunity to learn principles that will prepare you for life. Specifically, in tennis, things aren’t always going to go your way. Your strokes could be off, the weather could be bad, it just might not be your day. But we are taught to battle through all of that and control what we can control. I think this is great practice for life. In life we are going to have adversity hurled at us. Through Taylor Tennis we are learning to not crack under adversity, but to break through it. |
Stephen All - SO - Sorrento, FL |
My name is Stephen All, I am a freshman from Florida. I started playing tennis when I was in the third grade. I then took a 4 year sabbatical as I pursued other sports. By the 7th grade I was back on the court smacking around the felt. During my senior year, I started looking at playing for colleges. Coach Taylor scheduled a tryout while I was visiting the school. Throughout the whole transition, both coach and the people at Taylor were and continue to be supportive and helpful. I plan on continuing to play for Coach Taylor all four years I attend.
Playing tennis for Taylor University is far more than just a sport. The other guys on the team accepted me and lasting friendships were formed. Coach encourages us to be a band of brothers encouraging each other in the Lord. With the rigorous academics at Taylor University, tennis is often the only reason I leave Euler science complex. The physical activity rejuvenates me for the rest of the day. College tennis is a major step up from high school but Coach helps us prepare both mentally and physically. Playing tennis at Taylor University stimulates physical, mental and most importantly spiritual growth. |
David Meleski - JR - Colorado Springs, CO |
Hello I’m David Meleski and I am a sophomore marketing and systems major from Colorado Springs. Taylor Tennis has provided a means for me to grow as a athlete and a person both on and off of the court. On the court, I’m constantly pushed by my teammates to get better and try to push them to get better as well. Starting every practice with a devotion from a team member, has helped me relate to each guy on the team. These devotionals have also impacted my worldview in incredible ways. Tennis has provided a wonderful community for me. The diversity of the people represented on the team has allowed me to establish connections with people outside of my normal friend circle. Tennis has also been a solid incentive for academic excellence as the competitive mentality and mental toughness carries over well into the classroom. Coach Taylor has done an incredible job of not only fulfilling his duties as a coach but also being a role model for the entire team. It has been really hard to balance tennis, competition, and my spiritual life, but through our devotionals and talks I feel that I have a much better understanding of how to do this. |
Juan Ramirez - SR - Ibarra, Ecuador |
Hello name is Juan Ramirez and I am a Junior International Business, Marketing, and Accounting major from Ibarra, Ecuador. Taylor University has a community that gives students an excellent environment to develop and improve skills that are going to be essential in their lives such as leadership, honesty, and responsibility. While Taylor University has impacted my life, the Taylor Tennis Team has significantly changed my life. Since I was a child, I always wanted to come to the U.S.A to study and to play college tennis. Taylor Tennis gave me that opportunity to come to study and be member of the tennis team through its program.
Men’s Taylor Tennis Team has an amazing program where we have God as our priority. Along with a fantastic head coach, assistant coaches, and teammates, we make an excellent group because of our outstanding relationships. Taylor Tennis has a special meaning to me because it challenges me in many aspects. I dedicate approximately 35 hours per week to practicing tennis, lifting, conditioning, and playing in team matches and tournaments. Being on the tennis team has taught me valuable organization, leadership, and team-building skills. |
Ruben Bedón - SR - Ibarra, Ecuador |
Hello my name is Ruben Bedón and I am an international student from Ecuador. Currently I am a junior majoring in Finance, and I am proud to say that I am part of the men’s tennis team. I am so thankful for the daily opportunity to come at 4 pm to the Taylor Tennis courts and have a blast practicing and playing my favorite sport with a team that is committed to live out their faith in Jesus Christ.
The tennis program at Taylor University has not only developed me as a high performance athlete, but also, it has shaped my faith, and challenged me to be an exceptional Christian student-athlete. I have been exposed to hard work, team work, relentless work, patient work, and devotion to God. Those are things that are setting me up for the future to fulfill the plans that God has for me. I believe that what gives our tennis team and program so much value is the commitment that we all have toward each other. It is the idea of encouraging, pushing, challenging, supporting, and believing in one another that we can be victorious for the glory of God. |