Fecteau Named Willamette’s Director of Tennis

Salem, Ore. - Willamette University has hired Samuel Fecteau as its next Director of Tennis, Director of Athletics Rob Passage announced today. Fecteau has been serving as the Interim Director since Tyler Linscott's departure in early August and previously served as an assistant coach for the men's and women's tennis teams.  

"We are excited that Samuel has agreed to continue leading our tennis programs", said Director of Athletics Rob Passage.  "He stepped into a challenging situation this fall and did extremely well preparing the teams for the ITA Regionals in a short period.  I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish by being able to focus on the program full-time".

Fecteau is a seasoned tennis professional with over 20 years of experience in coaching, instruction, and player development. Samuel brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for the sport to his role. As an assistant coach for the past two seasons, he played a key role in shaping the team's strategies, developing players, and guiding them to new success in the conference. 

As a USPTA Elite Tennis Instructor, Samuel has worked with a wide range of players—from collegiate athletes to nationally ranked juniors—helping them improve their skills and achieve their goals. He has worked in a wide range of roles but thrives in the development of high-performance athletes. "My coaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive environment that promotes technical proficiency, mental toughness, and a love for the game", said Fecteau.

Samuel's collegiate tennis journey began at the Community College of Rhode Island where he competed at a high level before transferring to the University of Rhode Island. Unfortunately, the university's tennis program was cut before he could compete with their program. Undeterred, Samuel traveled and played in various tournaments, gaining valuable experience and further honing his game. His competitive playing career ultimately led him to pursue coaching full-time, where he has made a significant impact on the lives of players across the country. 

With a deep commitment to the sport and his players' success, Samuel has helped develop many athletes who have gone on to play at the collegiate level and achieve national recognition. Outside of coaching, he is dedicated to promoting tennis as a lifelong sport and enjoys mentoring the next generation of tennis enthusiasts. 

Fecteau is looking to build on what the team accomplished this fall, "I'm very excited to be given the opportunity to take on these new challenges and to help build a program we can continue to be proud of. Let's go Bearcats!"