Each Wednesday, TCNJ Athletics will profile a coach from one of its programs. Today's question and answer is with the head coach of the TCNJ men's and women's tennis teams, Scott Dicheck. Dicheck has amassed a combined record of 477-164, won 21 of a possible 21 NJAC Championships, and coached his athletes to 28 All-America honors and an individual national champion.

You are now entering your 21^st season coaching at TCNJ. What is it about TCNJ that keeps you coming back year after year?
 

• When I first stepped on to campus 21 years ago, I was blown away with how beautiful the campus was. The quality of facilities was top notch. Over the 21 years that I've been here, everything has only gotten better. With all the time that I have been forced to spend away, I realize just how special the College is and how much I miss it.

 
The women's team has won 37 straight NJAC Championships, how do you maintain that level of dominance?
 

• It comes down to the environment and culture that we have built into the program. When the upperclassmen return for the fall, they come back in shape, match tough, and ready to go. That translates to our incoming freshman. They are learning from day one, not just from our coaching staff, but from their teammates as well. When conference play starts, we are already in mid-season form.

 
How do you maintain the same level of success on the men's side without having the same conference history?
 

• Up until now, despite not having conference rivals, we have those same levels of intensity against tough regional opponents. Matches against NYU, Stevens, so many good teams that even though they are not a part of our conference they are a part of the national rankings every year. Adding conference competition now will only add another level and give us another goal to focus on during the season.

 
What is it about TCNJ that sets itself apart from other colleges and athletic programs?
 

• One thing I always hear is how great the entire campus and community are. People are happy to be a part of TCNJ and I agree. If I invite a recruit to a practice, they can sense how much everyone enjoys being a member of the team.

 
What are some of the top memories and moments from your coaching career?
 

• This is tough because I could really could go on and on. There's been so many highlights. When I think back on the men's side, I remember early in my career when the team went out to California. The team beat Bowdoin, who was top ten in the country at the time and we won some other great matches on that trip. We followed that trip by earning a host bid for the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. In that tournament we were down 4-2 to Johns Hopkins and the three seniors were left. Roger Mosteller and Eric Ferriere each won in three sets to make it 4-4. It came down to Mike Klimchak who was down a set and 5-1 in the second before fighting back to force a third set. In that set he again fell behind 5-1 before coming back to beat the number three player in the country.
  
  On the women's side, Brittany Reedman and Sneha Rangu evened a match up at Brandeis a few years ago and Anna Prestera was down 1-6, 2-4 before coming back to clinch that match for us. I think the ones that really stick out are the wins against top competition where you might not have your best stuff, but still find a way to pull through. Individually, Jackie Shtemberg winning the national championship will always stand out. We also had a long string of ITA doubles champions that earned All-America honors, and each year during that stretch it was a different doubles team that got it done.

 
 
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your coaching career?
 

• It's hard for every coach when you reach the end of each player's four years and realize that's the last time they will be on the team. Whether it's senior day or the bus ride back from the NCAA Tournament and even though I know I'll stay in contact with them, that moment doesn't get any easier. I never get used to it. It still hits me and it's always shocking that it hasn't gotten any easier even though I know it's coming.

 
Who are some of the people that have helped you the most in your career?
 

• First and foremost would be my parents. The work ethic they've shown me has always been something I've looked up to. Hopefully I've taken some of that trait from them. I also want to mention all of the assistant coaches I've had throughout the years. I've been very fortunate to have great staffs, and that's more than just the talent of their coaching. The level of commitment that they show to the program really shows in all of the athletes. It has really made my time here rewarding.

 
What is the difference in coaching the men's and women's programs?
 

• A majority of the coaching is actually the same for both teams. I really enjoy coaching both and I couldn't imagine only coaching one team. I love both groups and the way they interact with each other. The way the teams support each other is another thing that makes the programs so unique.

 
Outside of coaching, what would people find interesting about your day-to-day life?
 

• I only sleep two to three hours a night. I don't think I've had to set an alarm during my entire time coaching and it's something I've just never had to worry about.

 
Is there anything you would like to say to all of the student-athletes that you have coached?
 

• Obviously I want to thank each and every one of them. I continue to run into them, whether they are high school coaches, work at local clubs, or are just back on campus we talk about their time when they were on the team. It's amazing to me how many memories we've created over the years.

 
Extra Point (Question from last week's coach profile, Casey Goff) - What drives you to be better as a coach and person?
 

• As I get older and I've seen so many players come through the program and how much the program has meant to them, it motivates me to bring that same experience to each and every incoming class as well. Every season, I always ask not just how I can be a better coach, but how to improve the overall experience for everyone.

 
Pose a question you would like to hear answered by our next coach.
 

• What have you missed the most about TCNJ during the pandemic?