Tom Batttaglia was named the head coach of the Rutgers University-Newark men's and women's tennis programs in July of 2015.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Tom (Battaglia) back to Rutgers-Newark and can't wait to see the improvements he makes to our men's and women's tennis programs," said Griffin. "He was an excellent player here and has a wealth of experience coaching and recruiting outstanding young men and women in New Jersey, in the Northeast and on a national level."
A graduate of Rutgers-Newark, Battaglia returns to lead the Scarlet Raiders after serving as the head coach of the women's team and an assistant with the men's program from September of 2001 through June of 2003 after playing No. 1 and No. 2 singles as an R-N student-athlete.
Battaglia has been the Director of Tennis at the Clifton Tennis Club since September of 2014, overseeing a staff of nine tennis professionals, teaching youth players and managing all aspects of the five-court facility. In addition to working with players of all ages, the Millstone, N.J. resident organizes and runs a number of charitable events in support of the Special Olympics. Battaglia also designed and maintains
www.northernjerseytennis.com.
He is the Director of Tennis at The Maplewood Club and has served in that role since 2008, developing a grassroots tennis program for players of all ages and skill levels. Battaglia has developed and fostered clinics and camps as well as both group and private lessons for his students, also coordinating tournaments/events for Maplewood residents and guests.
Battaglia worked in a similar role at the Fairfield Racquet Club from 2003-2014, cultivating and growing all aspects of the tennis program in his extensive stay at that facility.
As a coach at Rutgers-Newark, Battaglia handled all recruiting within the state of New Jersey and on a national level and will look to take the Scarlet Raider tennis programs to the next level beginning in the fall.
"My goal here at Rutgers-Newark is to build a competitive team from the inside out," said Battaglia. "If our current student-athletes believe in the program, excitement will build and recruiting becomes that much easier. My long-term plan is to have both the men and women's teams compete during the fall and spring seasons. If we can get a few solid recruits combined with our current players we can make a run at a league title every season."
Battaglia is a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern Zonal Coach for both boys and girls (age 12) and is a United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) certified coach. He also has a 5.0 rating from the National Tennis Rating Program.
"I'm very excited to come back to the place where I went to college," added Battaglia. "Rutgers-Newark shaped who I am today, and I would not be where I am in life without the education received here. My players will have a great experience both on the court and off at the place where I call home."
