A story from Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, Tom Battaglia

MADISON, NJ- Ever since I stepped foot on campus, I felt an immediate connection to the team and the community. I was surrounded by amazing student athletes as well as an extremely supportive administration staff and fellow coaches.  I truly believe that's all you could ever ask for as a coach.  

Our courts were in desperate need of repair. When we were hit hard with the pandemic this March, I knew plans to have them done anytime soon was unrealistic. Honestly, I was looking for alternative sites to play our matches in 2021.  I just couldn't tell my players and recruits that was an option. There is no better feeling than having friends and family on your campus watching you play. It also helps to have an extremely supportive university right outside the courts!

I knew I had to do something for my team and for the university, especially during these hard times. Although there were people all over losing their jobs, tennis has flourished during these unprecedented times.  My company, Northern Jersey Tennis Academy, along with co-owners Matt Deitch and Scott Wlodychak, had a profitable year in 2020. I went to them with the idea of donating to have our 5 courts redone. They didn't hesitate for a second. As many programs around the country are being discontinued, we want to see the sport we love succeed. Tennis is in our blood, and we will do anything to help it thrive. Investing in the future of Fairleigh Dickinson University and the campus I love, was an easy decision.  

In the end, we decided to go with Sport Builders and Matt Jacobs. They did a tremendous job. Our courts are done in FDU Devil colors and we are proud to have some of the best courts in the conference now.  I'm proud to be a Devil and I'll do whatever I can for the program and the sport of tennis in general. I'm beyond excited for my players to hit the courts for the first time this spring and come back to campus and see the finished product, it will be exciting!