College Knowledge: Dartmouth Men’s Tennis

What are some initial talking points you like to discuss with a prospective player once you've scouted him out?

We spend a lot of time making certain that we are aware of the academic and athletic goals that a prospective student-athlete may have. It is easy to look at results, rankings, ratings, and other metrics. What we really need to learn is what they are looking for in their life, as much as they may know at a young age. We like to learn about their family and their background as well as their community involvement.

What would you say to players who might be new to and a little intimidated by the recruiting process?

Prospective student-athletes should be excited for the process! This is one of the most important life decisions that they will make. They will have lifelong friends and relationships from their time in college and this decision is so important. They must understand that these things are not personal and that they will not receive a yes from every school that they are interested in attending. Hopefully, they put in the work to determine which schools are viable options for them as students and as tennis players. If they reach out to enough schools, then they can cultivate a list that is geared towards what they wish to study and is within their level of play. Ask questions, reach out to a lot of coaches, and visit a lot of different types of schools and environments. 

Are there any common misconceptions you see with the college tennis recruiting process?

Common misconceptions can be that a program is too good for my level, or, I have not heard back from the coach so they must not be interested, or things of this nature. Persistence is a key factor for recruiting. Show how much you want to be there, as it will make a difference.

What do you do at Dartmouth to help players navigate the recruiting process and make them more comfortable?

Our hope is that the prospective student-athletes are being advised along the way during the recruitment process. Here at Dartmouth, we like to get these prospective student-athletes to visit our campus, watch practices, watch matches and participate in a weekend with our team. As a college town campus, we offer a very community-oriented experience, as the entire local region comes out to support things at Dartmouth. Our matches are heavily attended and the players on our team have relationships with these people through community engagement events as well as seeing these fans play themselves at our amazing facility on campus. Visiting campus is the ultimate way to get a feel, witness the spectacle, and connect to what our college life at Dartmouth is all about!

What makes Dartmouth Men’s Tennis such a special program?

Here at Dartmouth, our team culture is amazing. We are lucky to have student-athletes who are driven to be highly successful in the classroom, on the tennis court, in the weight room and in their internships. Dartmouth is a great college town and has networking opportunities for internships and jobs that are unmatched anywhere in the world. Dartmouth is very close to Boston and New York City, yet we operate in an intimate and community-based setting in one of the most beautiful areas in the world, the upper valley of New Hampshire. Dartmouth provides one of the best educational experiences with one of the best athletic experiences in an amazing postcard-like setting.

What do you know at this point about your upcoming season?

This upcoming season is a difficult one to explain, as in the Ivy League, all sports are off until March. We are uncertain as to the upcoming season due to this, but we are hopeful and fully prepared to practice, train, and compete as a top 30 nationally ranked team that we currently are. 

If you have an interest in Dartmouth College or would like to follow up with Xander or Jeff, they can be reached below:

Xander Centenari (Head Men’s Coach) - alexander.c.centenari@dartmouth.edu

Jeff Wilson (Assistant Men’s Coach) - Jeffrey.S.Wilson@dartmouth.edu