Dumas Named Hartwick's Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach
ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick College Director of Athletics Dr.
Kim Fierke announced that
Peter Dumas has been named head men's and women's tennis coach.
Dumas has spent the last three seasons as the assistant coach of both programs at his alma mater. He has helped guide the women's team to 18 victories over the course of his tenure.
"Peter has done a good job working with the men's and women's program as an assistant," Fierke said. "His love of his alma mater and his desire to create competitive programs will serve him well. We are glad to have him as the head coach."
This past fall, Dumas aided the Hawks' women's team in earning a spot in the Empire 8 Conference semifinals. The team began its season on a blistering pace, winning a College-record eight straight matches. In addition, the Hawks won their first five Empire 8 matches for the program's first 5-0 league start in program history.
"I am ecstatic to be named the head men's and women's tennis coach at Hartwick," said Dumas. "It is a dream come true as I get to coach the sport that I love at the college that I love. I have been given a tremendous opportunity and I am ready to seize it."
Dumas joined the coaching staff at Hartwick following a successful playing career with the Hawks. He earned 29 singles victories in four seasons from 2009-2013. The mark included a 19-10 record in Empire 8 Conference play with wins over top opponents from Stevens, Ithaca, St. John Fisher, Elmira and Utica in his senior season.
He also combined for 22 doubles victories, including 18 victories at the first doubles position his last three seasons. In his junior year, Dumas had a combined 12-5 match record earning him a spot on the Empire 8 Second Team in singles and doubles. Dumas also accomplished this feat in doubles in 2010 and in singles in 2013.
Dumas replaces
Andy Pontius who coached both Hartwick teams for the last 17 seasons. She announced her retirement in April.
"I have learned so much from Andy since I first met her as a recruit," Dumas added. "She was my coach, and has been a gracious mentor of mine during my time as her assistant. Her impact on me and the program will endure long after her retirement."
Dumas inherits a pair of youthful programs with a bulk of the lineups returning. Only one player between the men's and women's teams will be lost to graduation.
"I am very excited about the future of the Hartwick tennis programs," Dumas stated. "I want my scholar-athletes to get the formative athletic and rewarding academic experiences which I know Hartwick can provide. I will do everything I can to make sure this happens."