Sept. 18, 2007
By Tony Mancuso, Penn State Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Every college athlete dreams about hoisting a national championship trophy in his or her respective playing career.
The reality is that few people are able to do so.
For Penn State alum Adam Steinberg, that vision became a reality, not as a player, but as a head coach in 2006 on a tennis court at Stanford. The title capped off coaching dream that all started in Happy Valley.
Steinberg came to Penn State in 1985 as a student-athlete, and left State College with aspirations of a coaching career. His rookie season on campus at Penn State was highlighted by a victory over No. 1 Georgia. Steinberg went on to become captain of the team when he was a senior.
"I had an amazing experience at Penn State," said Steinberg. "I had the greatest teammates in the world. When I came in as a freshman, everyone embraced me. Then, being the team leader as a senior was very special for me."
As a senior leader, Steinberg developed his love for coaching. Treated as though he was an assistant coach during his fourth year in State College, Steinberg served as a hands-on leader.
"The older members of the team at that time played a big role in coaching the team," said Steinberg. "I helped run practice, and I came to really love helping coach at that time."
The man who got Steinberg's feet wet in coaching was Holmes Cathrall. Cathrall led the Nittany Lion tennis program from 1965-90, compiling a 280-197-2 mark. In his final seasons at the helm, Cathrall turned practice over the older members of the team, which kick started Steinberg's passion for coaching college tennis.
"I stayed on as an assistant, and that is really where I found my passion for coaching," Steinberg said.
Just two years removed from his playing days, Steinberg acquired the men's tennis head coaching position at St. John's in 1991. After five seasons (61-22), Steinberg served as an assistant coach at Northwestern for two years before accepting the head coaching position at Alabama.
He quickly left his mark on the Crimson Tide tennis program, as he led the team to its first all-time visit to the NCAA Championships in his initial term at Alabama. Steinberg went on to lead the Tide into the tournament four times in five seasons.
Steinberg's passion for college tennis moved to Malibu in 2003 when he accepted the men's tennis head coaching position at Pepperdine. He is currently entering his sixth season at Pepperdine after a stellar five years in Malibu.
"It has really been an incredible five years," said Steinberg.
The Pepperdine men's tennis team and head coach Adam Steinberg visted the White House after winning the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship in 2006. |
Pepperdine has chalked up a 119-33 mark under Steinberg. The results speak for themselves. Under his leadership, the Waves have qualified for the postseason in all five of Steinberg's seasons in Malibu. The undoubted highlight came in 2006 when the Steinberg-led Waves knocked off Georgia (4-2) to capture the Pepperdine's first men's tennis national championship after compiling a stout 36-2 record.
"Winning the title was a dream," Steinberg said. "It still hasn't quite sunk in for me yet. When I came here, I thought that this was the place to do it. I am now hungry for a second title."
Last season also provided a milestone for Steinberg when Pepperdine was selected to play Penn State in the opening round of the 2007 NCAA Men's Tennis Championships in Los Angeles. Not only did he clash with his alma mater, Steinberg faced off with his friend Todd Doebler.
Doebler, who is entering his second season at the helm of the Nittany Lions, is great friends with Steinberg. Although the 20th-ranked Waves handed the Nittany Lions a 4-1 setback, it was a special day for Steinberg to square off against the school that gave him his start.
"I think he (Doebler) enjoyed it more than I did," said Steinberg. "I couldn't be happier that Todd is coaching at Penn State, but I don't particularly like coaching against friends. It was great to see Penn State in the tournament, and it was a tough match for us, but I was proud to see Todd in a Penn State uniform."
Steinberg anticipates a good season for the Waves in 2008, as they return depth and experience from the 2007 squad that finished the year ranked 20th in the nation.
Despite living in the glitz and glamour of Malibu, Steinberg still has fond memories from his stint in Happy Valley.
"Penn State means everything to me," he said. "I have my diploma hanging on my wall, I am still a big Penn State fan and I still stay in close contact with Todd and the tennis program.
"I wouldn't trade the academic, social and tennis experience I had at Penn State for anything."