Genuine excitement lights up the faces of both men as they speak about one another. The same smile creeps across the lips of both Linharts. The father-son duo is a stronghold in the Fisher tennis program.
Senior Tom Linhart has played tennis for the Cardinals all four years of his college career, and now leads the team as a captain. His father, Tom Linhart Sr., has coached in the program for two years. The two have found a balance between a personal relationship and a coach-athlete connection.
Tom Jr. has been playing tennis since junior year in high school. Starting off a baseball player – just like his dad – Tom found he would have more of an opportunity on the tennis team at Brockport High School.
“I wanted to try something new,” said Tom. “The baseball team was stacked, my neighbor was the tennis coach and he suggested I give it a shot.”
He hasn’t turned back since.
Tom has been an Empire 8 All Conference player every year he has been at Fisher. He lists this among his greatest tennis accomplishments, as well as being named a captain, along with classmate Dale Stoker.
“Tom is a true team player and extremely dedicated,” said Stoker. “His leadership is invaluable to our team this year. He leads by example and is always striving for improvement. He makes everyone around him better.”
Tom has had a noteworthy career. He names his first college match as his best tennis memory – a doubles match versus Hobart College.
Since that first contest, Tom’s performance has only become better and better.
“His tennis game has improved leaps and bounds,” said head coach Linda Gohagan. “Not only is Tom hard working and sets a good example, but he is also a good team leader.”
Tom Sr. could not agree more. He characterizes his son as being a good sport and very responsible. “Tom is very coach-able, which has helped him accelerate his tennis career.”
This is a career that Tom Sr. has been happily involved in. “My dad has always been my number one fan,” said Tom.
This is a major reason why, when the coaching position became available at Fisher, Tom Sr. jumped at the opportunity to coach the team his son was a part of.
Because of this, Tom Sr. said, “People look at me and say I am the luckiest guy in the world. I get to see my kid play college tennis everyday.”
Stoker reflects on the significance of the relationship between the Linhart men.
“You can definitely see the bond between father and son and the relationship between coach and player. They balance both so well,” said Stoker. “Mr. Linhart is a great man and I can already see parts of that greatness in Tom.”
The sport drawing the Linharts together is valued by Tom Sr. not only because of his son’s participation, but also because of the character of the athletes he is around day after day.
He describes these athletes as high quality students who are motivated and quite focused. Tom Sr. has been around a lot of athletes, therefore giving him enough experience to know exactly who it is he wants to coach.
Linhart played Division I baseball at Canisius College, and after that coached for several years. He led a high school baseball team, as well as Niagara Community College and D-I Buffalo. Tom Sr. played tennis recreationally, and eventually developed a love for the game that threw him toward a different coaching possibility.
Four years ago he became the coach at Spencerport High School. Two years ago he came to Fisher.
When asked what he likes most about the Cardinals’ tennis team, Tom Sr. mentions that Fisher tennis has a bond - like family.
By Jessica Shaller
jms9325@sjfc.edu
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