Women's Tennis | 5/1/2019 12:00:00 AM
Goldey-Beacom's Women's Tennis program will have a decidedly changed look for next season as Joe Kissel will retire after 13 years as the team's head coach.
"Goldey-Beacom could not be more proud of the success that Joe Kissel has brought to the women's tennis program in his 13 years as Head Coach," said Director of Athletics Dr. Thomas Brennan. "Joe Kissel is a consummate professional who has demonstrated a real commitment to the concept of the student-athlete and who during a highly successful career has touched the lives of so many. His mark on the program and the College has undoubtedly been made. We wish nothing but the best for Joe and his family in retirement."
Kissel arrived in Pike Creek to a second-year program still looking for its first win. What he turned it into is a juggernaut that won the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title both in 2016 and 2017 and a share of the regular season title in 2018, as well as a squad which has competed in the NCAA Tournament seven times.
He is responsible for all of the program's 148 wins during his 13 seasons and led the team to finish the 2014-15 season 31st in the country as well as the 2017-18 squad ending 32nd. The Lightning also entered the 2018-19 season with 10 straight winning campaigns dating to 2008-09 and double-digit victories in eight of the last 10 seasons.
The 2014-15 team will go down in Goldey-Beacom lore as one of the most significant in the College's history in any sport. That team upended fellow CACC-foe Chestnut Hill to become the first squad in school history in any sport to win a head-to-head NCAA Tournament contest, won a program-record 18 matches, tied the school record with 10 shutouts and had four student-athletes regionally ranked at season's end.
Beyond all the victories, the relationship that Kissel built and fostered with the student-athletes he recruited has always been his greatest success. Over the years, his squad has included more than 40 student-athletes from 18 countries all over the world. The network of Goldey-Beacom Women's Tennis remains strong to this day, which is due in large part to Kissel.
"Many coaches see recruiting as the worst part of the job. I actually love every minute of it; not necessarily the process, but the end result" said Kissel. "Few things are more satisfying than helping a young student-athlete fulfill her dream of coming to the US to earn a college education, while playing a sport about which she is passionate. It is also extremely rewarding to watch these recruits mature into young women right before your eyes, and through social media, follow this growth after they graduate. These relationships have led to weddings and continued contact as 'my girls' have children of their own. Knowing, as a coach, you played some part in helping these students kick-start their lives is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. It doesn't get any better than that."
Goldey-Beacom's accomplishments under Kissel extend beyond championships. He and the team on multiple occasions have participated in community service activities such as the Tennithon to benefit the Delaware Tennis Foundation, and ball people for the Delaware Wheelchair Tennis Championships. The squads have always excelled in academia, as well. At the conclusion of the 2017-18 academic year, the team boasted a cumulative GPA of 3.7226 which was the highest of any athletic team at the College. The 2017-18 season marked the third academic year in a row that they accomplished that feat.
In addition, most have gone on to complete their master's degrees at Goldey-Beacom or other colleges. But, perhaps more importantly, most former players are now gainfully employed in their native countries, as well as in the US, as company accountants, international business managers, small business entrepreneurs, international soccer or tennis organization supervisors and so forth.
"Joe Kissel is a genuine, driven leader who has taken our tennis program to unparalleled heights," adds Dean of Students Chuck Hammond, who previously served as the Director of Athletics. "His passion for helping student-athletes achieve more than they ever thought they were capable on and off the tennis court is evident in his relationships with his players. To compete consistently on a regional and national level while displaying the highest level of academic success is truly remarkable. We thank Joe for his dedication to our student-athletes and wish him all the best in retirement."
Kissel's career at Goldey-Beacom represents a litany of accomplishments. Some highlights include USTA Middle States Delaware District Community Tennis Coach of the Year (2009) for his work in only four years at Goldey-Beacom; USTA Delaware District College Coach of the Year (2015, 2016); USTA Middle States College Coach of the Year (2017), USPTA Middle States College Coach of the Year (2017).
At the conclusion of the 2017-18 collegiate season, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) named Kissel the East Region College Coach of the Year. He also has been selected by conference coaches the Central Athletic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Coach of the Year four times (2008, 2009, 2014, 2017).
His latest award was presented last October, when Kissel was inducted into the Delaware Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame for his record accomplishments at Goldey-Beacom, and more than 20 years of service to Delaware tennis.
