Jakusz Named UW-Stevens Point Head
Women�s Tennis Coach
Karlyn Jakusz had never given much thought
to being a collegiate head coach, but when asked by the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point to take over the school�s women�s tennis
program, she couldn�t pass up the chance.
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Karlyn
Jakusz |
The Stevens Point native has been tabbed to
replace Nancy Page, who retired after 18 years as the Pointers� head
coach.
�I guess I never thought about it,�
said Jakusz, who was first asked by Page this past summer to help as the
team�s assistant coach. �I think we can get this program where I
want it to be and it�s going to be a challenge, but I�d like to try
it.�
Jakusz takes over a program that finished
sixth of seven teams this past fall and has not finished higher than
fifth since 1996. The Pointers have never won a conference title and
finished second in 1992.
�We�re excited that Karlyn will be
taking over our tennis program,� said UW-Stevens Point Athletic
Director Frank O�Brien. �She�s one of the best tennis players in
the community and is well-liked by our student-athletes. We believe
she�s a perfect fit for our program.�
Jakusz will be a part-time athletics staff
member, but is employed on campus as the Telemanagement Administrator in
the UW-Stevens Point Telephone Support Office. She is a Stevens Point
Area Senior High and UW-Madison graduate.
�I think it�s going to be a lot of
fun,� said Jakusz, who has helped with local high school teams and
spent four years as the United States Tennis Association coordinator for
the North Central League. �With college tennis, there shouldn�t be a
lot of teaching going on. It should be more focused with strategy and
finding opponent�s weaknesses.�
�Karlyn will do a great job,� Page
said. �She�s an excellent player and has developed a good rapport
with our players. She has a lot of energy and she�ll funnel that into
recruiting.�
Page joined the UW-Stevens Point staff in
the fall of 1973 and coached the Pointers� women�s field hockey team
to three NCAA Division III tournament appearances in 13 seasons. She
also coached softball for 10 seasons during her 31-year tenure at
UW-Stevens Point.
�It�s going to be hard to be away from
tennis and coaching,� said Page, who is leading a hiking trip through
Scotland next fall. �I intend to come and watch the team play. I
can�t remove myself altogether.�
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