Copenhaver Named Women’s Tennis Coach at Clarion U.

Chris Rossetti

Chris Rossetti

Published August 22, 2018 4:17 am
Image

CLARION, Pa. – Athletic Director Dr. Wendy Snodgrass announced the hiring of Cynthia Copenhaver as the university’s women’s tennis coach today. Copenhaver boasts 35 years of coaching and instructing experience, ranging from beginners to nationally-ranked competitors.

(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)

She replaces Josh Thorpe, who stepped down from the position earlier this year.

“I am pleased to announce Cynthia Copenhaver as our new women’s tennis coach,” Snodgrass said. “She comes to Clarion with an impressive set of credentials and has demonstrated the ability to develop successful players across the scope of her career. I am excited to welcome her to campus and to see the development of our student-athletes.”

Copenhaver was the head coach for the Brockway high school boys’ tennis team from 2017-18 and served as an assistant for both the boys’ and girls’ teams since 2013. She also holds ties with the university, serving as an assistant for the Golden Eagles in Fall 2012.

While coaching at Brockway, Copenhaver coached the boys and girls teams to championship and runner-up finishes in the district. In 2014 Copenhaver helped lead the boys’ team to a district doubles championship in the spring, followed by helping the girls’ team to a district championship in doubles and a runner-up finish as a team in the fall. The Brockway girls took second place in the district in singles and doubles in Fall 2015 and second place in singles in Fall 2017, while the boys took second in the district in doubles play in Spring 2018.

“It is my honor and privilege to take over as head tennis coach at Clarion,” Copenhaver said. “I am looking forward to working with the team and challenging them on and off the courts. Most of all, I want to make sure our athletes have a meaningful, positive experience here. I can’t wait to work with them.”

Beyond her work with the high school, Copenhaver has been a United States Tennis Association (USTA) member for 35 years and has been certified by United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) for 25 years. She has coached USTA Youth 12 and 14 champions at the sectional level, as well as Youth 16 and 18 champions and super champions. Copenhaver was a league coordinator for 12 tennis leagues ranging from USTA 2.5 – 4.5 levels, coaching teams at sectional, regional and national level competitions.

Copenhaver’s extensive resume stretches beyond her time in Pennsylvania. A graduate of Yseta high school in El Paso, Texas, she spent 14 years as a tennis professional in the Fort Worth area, including a stint as the tennis pro at the Richland Tennis Center from 1998-2010 and at Eagle Mountain Country Club from 1996-98. Before that, she was a head coach at Kenton high school in Ohio from 1992-96, and for a high school team in Alaska from 1988-92.

Recent Articles

Community Partner