Chen Chen ' 19 Named New Head Women's Tennis Coach

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State Athletic Director Nicolle Wood is pleased to announce that current head men's tennis coach Chen Chen '19, has accepted the position of head coach of the women's tennis program at Salem State. Chen, who will replace Madeline Allaire, led the men's team to an 8-6 record and a berth in the Little East Championship match in his first full year. in 2022. 

"Coach Allaire was an amazing leader as a student-athlete and SAAC president, and continued her positive impact on our university during her three seasons as our head women's tennis coach. We support her as she pursues her master's degree, but also will miss her deeply as she has left the women's tennis team and our athletics community in a better place then she found it," added Wood.

"Chen has achieved success with the men's tennis team and demonstrated the ability to help student-athletes balance the competing demands of academics, athletics, and leadership. I believe that our men's and women's teams the ability to continue to compete for LEC titles, and look forward to seeing his role expand as he takes on coaching for both programs."

Chen was a former four-year member and two-time captain of the Salem State men's tennis team. He earned first and second team All-Little East Conference honors three separate times during his career. Chen captained Salem State to just their second Little East Conference Tournament Championship and fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. His 29 doubles wins currently rank second all-time in program history. A Dean's List member, he was a three-time All-Little East All-Academic selection and three-time National Scholar Athlete Day Award winner. He was inducted into the National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society in 2019. Prior to becoming head coach in 2020, Chen spent a year as an assistant coach for the Vikings during the 2019-20 season.  

"Thank You to Athletic Director Nicolle Wood for her trust in me to bring success to the women's tennis program. I am thrilled to start working with the team and can't wait to see what this young group of talent athlets can bring to the table. I will ensure our players improve and achieve their goals in tennis every year."

Chen currently works as a property accountant at Eastport Real Estate Service and resides in Peabody MA.