For some, the thought of playing professional athletics is just a dream, but for tennis player Dan Coakley '94, that dream will become reality following graduation this June.
"When I was little I always wanted to play professionally like most [kids] do," Coakley said. "But I really didn't know that completely until I got here to school and really started enjoying it."
Although he entered Dartmouth his freshman year as an overhitting sometimes out of control player, Coakley said he was always hungry to play and with the help of Coach Chuck Kinyon and Assistant Coach Dave Jones, he was able to capitalize on that desire. "Chuck and Dave have helped me a lot to get me mentally tough on the court," Coakley said. "They gave me a real good chance to develop, and I'm really glad I came here because despite a low junior ranking, they stuck with me. I have come a long way from where I was when I came in."
Coakley's tenacity, quickness on the court and will to win have made him one of the top players in the region this year, Kinyon said.
"You don't know the fortitude kids have when they come in until they mature as a player," he said. "Dan's done very well. He has the capacity to survive and reach down, and he has surprised everyone each year except probably himself."
Coakley demonstrates a hard work ethic and extreme love for the game as the Big Green's leader and captain.
"Dan always leads through example," Jim Rich '96 said. "He works every day in practice until he can't give anymore and that is the reason for his success, and if you have ever seen Dan play a match then you know he gives you 100 percent until the last ball is played. Dan's numerous late match comebacks and heroics are a great example of his unending tenacity."
Comebacks are what Coakley said he loves most about the game of tennis.
"To come back from a set down -- that's what makes tennis great. Fighting hard enough, you can always win. The most fun things for me are coming back after I'm done or beating someone I'm not supposed to," he said.
Coakley said his will to win is by far the strongest part of his game, and he credits this attitude to his lifetime coach -- his dad.
"He is the most influential person in terms of my tennis," Coakley said. "He knows the game very well and has taught me to become a student of the game. Having him as a coach definitely made me stronger mentally as a player," he said.
"He helped me learn to take criticism and become coachable. He was always driving me forward and gave me the attitude of never giving up," Coakley added.
This parental support has continued through Coakley's years at Dartmouth and will continue in his pursuit to become a successful professional player.
"My parents have always had a lot of faith in my potential," Coakley said. "My dad has always been my biggest supporter, and my mom knows this is what I want. Their support has been very important to me."
Coakley will begin his dream of pursuing professional play this July when he enters his first satellite tournament.
The tournament will have three weeks of qualifying rounds and one final week for those who qualify. Coakley will earn points by winning at this level. With enough points a player enters the challenger level with players ranked from 100 to 350 in the world.
"I'd like to give it a year or two out there to see if I do well," he said. "If I can, that would be great. If not, I'll be completely satisfied with that because I've improved so much with the help of Chuck, Dave and my dad. It's all been worth it."
Coakley, who said playing under the pressure of a team match was something he always enjoyed, foresees a few problems he may have to overcome.
"It's a tough adjustment," Coakley said. "A lot of time the mentality for winning a match has a lot to do with winning it for the team. Now, you need to find a way to motivate yourself day-in and day-out. You need to set up different incentives because it's such a grind."
Playing professional tennis is a job, Coakley said, and must be treated like one if a player hopes to be successful.
"Sometimes it's difficult to concentrate. You need to be selfish enough to take care of all the little things that matter without being distracted. I think that people who don't treat it like a business are disappointed with their performance. You need to treat it like a nine to five job," Coakley said.
The road to becoming a successful player is a difficult one, Kinyon said. "There are so many good players out there. He's going to have to work hard. He amazes me though. He is very resilient and tough, and I wouldn't be surprised if he does well out there because of it."
Coakley ended the team tennis regular season last weekend with a 19-4 record for the year. Yesterday, his success on the court was recognized with the northeast region's Senior Player of the Year award.
