By Jared Duane
April 12, 2019
Spring sports have begun, and Mr. Haluska has dusted of his racquet to lead the Marauders into another competitive season. The Mirror recently sat down with the beloved tennis coach for a little chat.
Mirror: What are your goals for the season?
Haluska:
Everybody gets to play
Look at the areas of improvement for each player based on match performance.
Challenge the JV players with specific drills to improve their performance on the court.
Getting the Futures layers to serve and play doubles before the end of the season.
M: What is the biggest challenge when having to coach such a big team?
H: Arranging for practice times for the different levels, I have two seperate practices one for V/JV and one for the Futures (beginning players). I also have an Asst. Coach, Mr. Bowen, as well as a parent volunteer, Mr. Mammone, and Mrs. Ragunathan helps out when her schedule allows.
M: What are your previous coaching experiences?
H: Waltham Racquet Club Mens B and C level coach, Waltham Racquet Club Womens C level coach, and Fitchburg HS Boys Tennis Team Coach.
M: How does your experience in tennis affect how you coach?
H: Patience is the key for play as well as player development.
M: What is the most rewarding thing about coaching?
H: Seeing the players improve over the 4 years.
M: Who do you like more Roger Federer or Nadal Djokovic?
H: RF is the G.O.A.T. !!!!
M: What is your playing experience?
H: Started in college (1973) with the wooden racquets, been playing since then, tennis is a sport for the lifetime.
M: What is your favorite part about the game?
H: Playing the net, I’ve slowed down (a little) so doubles is the game now.
M: With such a large roster how do you manage who plays, and when?
H: We carry 9 on the Varsity, I try to manage the players so everybody gets a chance at playing, with that said I keep the doubles teams together for their matches, I will usually rotate players in the 3rd singles position as well as the 2nd doubles position. But I will give all players the opportunity to play different positions. (Doubles vs Singles).
M: What was your favorite season as a coach?
H: Spring of course!! Tennis Season!
M: What professional tennis player do you try to model you teaching style off of?
H: The big Swede, Bjorn Borg “the Ice Man !!” just get on the court and get the job done no theatrics!
M: If you could go back in your prime and play any tennis player who would it be?
H: I’m still in my Prime !!! Borg.
M: How many tennis balls can you fit in one hand?
H: I used to be able to hold 5, now its 4. Mansour Bahrami can hold 8 in one hand!
Meet the Writer!
Meet the Writer!
Jared Duane
Jared Duane
Jared Duane, Class of 2019, began writing for the paper this school year, in his free time he enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends.
Report abuse