University of Southern Maine Director of Athletics AlBean announced today that Michael Hillhas been appointed head coach for women’s and men’stennis, effective immediately. Hill replaces AaronBergeron who accepted the head coaching position atMerrimack College earlier this week.
Hill assumes the reins of the USM women’s program that opensits 2014 fall season this Saturday hosting Lyndon StateCollege. He will also take over the USM men’s programthat won the Little East Conference Championship last spring. This is Hill’s first collegiate coaching position.
“I feel very fortunate to have Mike Hill joining our staff asthe head coach for the women's and men's tennis programs,”commented Bean. “Mike was an exceptional player whileat Brown University and was a three-time state champion at Mt.Ararat High School. He has become a highly-regarded clinicianand teaching professional. I have great confidence that Mikewill do an outstanding job as the head coach of men's and women'stennis at USM, and that our student-athletes will benefit from hisstrong teaching skills and competitive background. My thanksand sincere best wishes go out to Aaron as he heads off to his newchallenge at Merrimack.”
Hill takes over a women’s program that went 8-7 a year agoand returns five players this fall. The men’s programenjoyed one of the finest seasons in the history of the programgoing 14-4 under Bergeron, winning the LEC title and making itssecond appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament.
Since graduating from Brown in 2013 with a bachelor’s degreein psychology, Hill served as a tennis professional at theWoodlands Country Club before moving on to Foreside Fitness andTennis. He has taught lessons and clinics to clients of allages and skill levels, specializing in high level juniors.
As an undergrad at Brown, Hill played four seasons for the Bearscompiling a 67-48 record in singles play and a combined 124 wins inall competitions. Hill ranks 15th all-time at Brown forsingles wins and 17th in combined wins.
Hill was a three-time Maine State Tennis champion (2007-2009) whileattending Mt. Ararat H.S. (Topsham, Maine).
