10 Questions with Adam Cohen

Adam Cohen, a former Division I standout and eight-year assistant coach at University of Minnesota, begins his first year as head men's tennis coach at Binghamton in 2006-07. He helped the Gophers advance to the NCAA tournament seven times in eight years, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2000.

As a player, Cohen guided Minnesota to back-to-back Big Ten titles in 1994 and 1995.

1. What attracted you to Binghamton University and what will be your first order of business when you take over in the fall?

It is a relatively new Division 1 program with an already solid tennis resume. That in my opinion has tremendous upside to it. In the fall, I'll be getting to know the existing players and their gamestyles, as well as welcoming our new freshmen. Furthermore, instilling a structured and organized practice where purpose and intensity are our primary goals each day.

2. What have you learned from your experience at Minnesota and how will it influence your coaching at Binghamton?

The extra work-outs before/after practice really paid off for us at Minnesota. Our kids at Minnesota got better each year. There were numerous examples of highly ranked national level kids that came to our program that started out at the bottom of the line-up and by the time their playing career was finished they were playing number 1 or 2 singles and earning All-Big Ten honors. We will continue with those work-out sessions here at BU, especially this fall season. I am a firm believer in the notion that the more balls you hit...the better you'll become.

3. What is your fondest memory during your playing career?

Beating the University of Michigan in the Big Ten Championship match when I was a senior at Minnesota. It was revenge for us as Michigan had come to our place earlier in the season and handed us our worst home lost
in a long time.

4. What are your recruiting strategies?

To work harder than any other coach out there in our immediate conference, region, and nationally. I want to be as visible as possible at the local, national, and international events to identify the talented prospects early in the process.

5. What do you want Binghamton men's tennis to stand for under your leadership?

Kids are going to get their degrees and we are going to improve our people skills/playing skills, and win/lose with diginity and pride.

6. What kind of player would the ideal tennis player in your program be?

I love kids that love to get out and hit balls...work hard at improving their weaknesses. In addition, I love kids that work hard to get everyone else on the same page...working together for the common goal.

7. What do you most like about the sport of tennis?

I love the 1 vs. 1 competition of tennis...how you have to find ways to win when things are not going well that particular day. Tennis brings out the true character of people. Will they stay in there and battle when
things are looking ugly, or will they pack-up their belongings and head for the showers.

8. Tell us about your background, childhood, family and early tennis experiences

I starting playing competitive tennis around the age of 11 and was a full-time tournament level player within one year's time. I competed at national level events from boys 12-18's. Prior to playing tennis full-time I played a lot of ice hockey, football, golf, and a little baseball. My mother and sister were the ones that got me started with my
tennis. I used to go up the tennis courts with my sister to help pick-up balls during her lessons...and sure enough I took a few lessons with her instructor and I was hooked for good.

I traveled into Minneapolis a lot from my home town of Buffalo, Minnesota to hit with other young kids. I am thankful to my entire family for driving me into Minneapolis (45 minutes one-way) just to hit with quality
coaches and other talented kids until I was able to get my driver's license at age 16.

9. What are your other favorite sports to play or watch? What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy watching soccer, golf, indy car racing...anything sports related I love. I like going for bike rides with my wife and our son, collecting old sportscars, and just hanging out with the family.

10. Who has had the most influence on your life - either personally or in tennis?

David Geatz probably has had the most influence on my tennis career. He has taught me so much about the sport of tennis and player development. I am thankful for the years I played under him at Minnesota and the years I served as his assistant coach.