Q&A: Eric West, former Oklahoma State University competitor & Rally in the Valley champion
USTA Oklahoma caught up with Eric West, 2006 singles and doubles champion of the USTA Missouri Valley Rally in the Valley Championships (formerly Sweet 16). West was a standout player from Tulsa, Oklahoma who went on to play collegiately for Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Oklahoma State University.
Shortly after his playing career, he served as an assistant coach for Cincinnati University and Xavier University. You can learn more and register for the upcoming Level 3 Closed Rally in the Valley junior tournament, which takes place June 12-15 at Edmond Center Court in central Oklahoma, by clicking here.
Where do you live now?
Cincinnati, Ohio
Where did you live when you competed at the Sweet 16?
Tulsa, Oklahoma
What is your favorite thing about the sport?
There are no clocks in tennis, which means you are never out of a match. Whether it be a strategic adjustment or simply outcompeting an opponent, you can always make your way back in it.
Favorite Rally in the Valley moment?
Definitely winning both singles and doubles for the first time in 2006—the 16 & Under bracket. I won doubles with my good friend and fellow Tulsa native Zack Siegler. But I’ll never forget the whole Tulsa crew being together in Kansas City that week and having a blast.
Tell us about your experiences with the Rally in the Valley and what made it stand out from other tournaments.
In comparison to other sections in the USTA, the Missouri Valley truly has a family feel to it. You compete against guys your whole junior career and don’t realize it, but you create lifelong friendships.
The Sweet 16 in Kansas City was the event that brought it all together, competing against the best of the MoValley but also hanging out with everyone on the plaza and creating lasting memories.
Did you go on to play college tennis?
Started my collegiate career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and then transferred to Oklahoma State University.
Eric West alongside his wife, Katie. West won the 2006 USTA Missouri Valley Rally in the Valley singles and doubles championships.
What were some of your standout accomplishments in tennis?
At SIU, being named Freshman of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference and winning the conference tournament as a team. At OSU, starting for an ITA Top-25 team, being ranked in the top 40 in the ITA doubles rankings and playing No. 1 doubles for the Cowboys.
What are you doing now?
I am currently an analyst for a private equity firm, Brynwood Partners. We are based out of Connecticut, but I’m located in the Cincinnati office. We own and operate food companies, most notably Pillsbury Baking, UNO’s Pizza and Dean’s Dip.
Are you married?
Married to my beautiful and amazing wife, Katie. We are expecting our firstborn come September!
Last, do you have any advice for the junior players today?
Don’t get too caught up in the process and enjoy the moment! It can be so easy to stress out about tennis—worrying about other players or getting distracted about your ranking, UTR, star rating, etcetera. But solely focus on what you can control. Your work ethic, showing up on time, being coachable—if you zero in on that, everything else will fall in line.
But at the end of the day, acknowledge how much you’ve improved, focus on what you need to accomplish for the day and be excited to see what the future has in store for you.
Rally in the Valley is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever before. On June 12-15 the courts at Edmond Center Court will be buzzing with excitement as players from all over the section gather to showcase their skills. Click here to register.
Check out USTA Oklahoma Q&As with Rally in the Valley standouts Zeke Clark, Alex Han, Kali Krisik and Madison Westby.
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