Tennis coach has young team
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Todd Loffredo has had opportunities to coach tennis before, but those were spent tutoring young, inexperienced players.
Now he’s getting the chance at a more talented group as the new Hun School boys tennis coach. The Raiders are relatively young, but nothing like he’s coached before.
”The best part is being able to work with better talent,” said Loffredo, who is in his first year teaching at Hun as well. “We have one kid who’s really, really good. It’s exciting to watch him. I can basically stand back and watch them, and if I tell the kids something, it’s something they know and can do. I don’t have to spend time doing basics. I just have to tell them little things here and there.”
The Raiders return just one player from last year’s 5-9 squad. Ed Park is a junior who will play first singles this season.
”I think we’re all really excited,” Loffredo said. “We’ve been practicing pretty hard. I know we have a young team. There’s only one returning varsity player. Some people look at it as a detriment, but depending how long I’m here, I can mold the team into what I want it to be.”
Loffredo would like to see the Raiders move forward under his watch. He feels confident that he knows the blueprint to follow to form a solid squad.
”I’m trying to model it after what my coach did,” said Loffredo, who played four years of varsity tennis for Saratoga Springs High (N.Y.). “My high school coach had many, many years of experience. He was very level headed. I’m definitely drawing on that experience.
”I’ve also been working at various camps, but never with high school talent. It was elementary school kids — nothing like this.”
Loffredo spent his final two years for Saratoga Springs at second singles. He is adjusting to a new format with New Jersey prep schools. The Raiders play their Mid-Atlantic Prep League matches in a college format, something that he says could help his players as they transition to the next level.
Loffredo is a recent graduate of St. Lawrence University. He didn’t play tennis there, but never got far from the game.
”I played in high school,” he said. “It was nothing special. I played for Saratoga Springs High School. The league we play in is pretty good, nothing out of the ordinary.
”I still keep up with it. I still play. I decided not to play at St. Lawrence.”
Upon graduation, though, he finds himself heavily involved in tennis. This time it’s as a coach for some talented high school players at Hun.
”Coaching goes along with teaching,” Loffredo said. “I’m glad to be doing both. It’s definitely been an easy transition to go from college’s academic/athletic setting to this. I never guessed I’d be teaching and coaching, but I’m glad to be doing both.
”I’m not sure how long I’ll do it, but definitely a few years. Hopefully I’ll be able to do some good things with it.”

