by Nate Silva
Staff Writer
Once Brian Harrison arrives on campus at 3 p.m., the 24-year-old assistant tennis coach has already completed hours of training with still more to do.
Harrison, a native of Danville, Calif., is on his way to join the professional tour and puts in hours of training before and after he coaches the ULV women’s team and assists with the men’s program.
Harrison’s tennis days consist of three parts. In the morning he wakes up and begins with cross-training and weights, then he comes from his Glendora home to La Verne for a few hours of coaching. Then it’s back to his training where he puts in a couple more hours of play and conditioning before starting over the next day.
Harrison has been coaching since 1996, where he has handled all “levels from beginners to college players,” he said.
His history of playing covers 12 years, when his mother first introduced him to tennis to deter him from playing football.
Harrison’s success in high school and the juniors level led him to a four-year career at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. At Hawaii, Harrison earned degrees in fine arts and communications.
“I would say I have an all-around game, and being left handed is also an advantage,” Harrison said.
This was not always the case though. Harrison described himself as one-dimensional when he entered college, but his coaches there worked on bringing his serve, baseline game and net play to equal levels. That is something Harrison tries to pass on to La Verne players.
“Jason (Cortez) is a big serve and volley player, but we’re trying to teach him to stay back when he can and give him confidence at the baseline,” Harrison said.
Harrison, who joined the tennis program in February when his girlfriend, who came through ULV’s graduate program, informed him of the position, describes himself as easy going.
“I think I’m more laid back, but I want to get players fired up.”
Head coach Steve Bergovoy feels that Harrison does this well.
“He is very versatile. He challenges players as a coach and as a player. He has been very well received by the girls Brian filled a much needed position.”
Though this season has not produced many wins for the women’s team, Harrison says the future is very bright. Only three of the roster’s nine players are upperclassmen and their inexperience is the major lacking component.
“They have potential,” explained Harrison. “I think their weakness is a lot mental; they need to realize that their opponents are going to make good plays. They just have to shake it off and say ‘That’s going to happen in a match.'”
Bergovoy said he appreciates Harrison’s presence.
“Brian is a breath of fresh air for the program. He has a very contemporary viewpoint, players find it very easy to relate to him,” he said.
