Celebrating 50 years of Division III athletics | head men's & women's tennis coach and former viking Chen Chen '19
Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications
SALEM, Mass. -- The Division III 50th anniversary campaign will mark significant moments in the division's past. It will also celebrate both current and former student-athletes and recognize the relationship the division shares with Special Olympics.
Division III started Aug. 6, 1973, with 240 member schools and conferences. On Nov. 10, 1973, Ashland became the first Division III national champion by winning the inaugural men's cross country championship hosted by Wheaton (Illinois).
Salem State athletics is profiling current men's & women's tennis head coach and former Viking Chen Chen '19 about his experiences as a Division III player and coach. 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. 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.
How did being a DIII athlete prepare you for a post-playing career?
"We had practices and workouts every day, every week. It helped me become more disciplined and truly understand how much I love the sport that I played."
When did you realize you wanted to be a head coach?
"I knew when my best friends were still on the team and wanted to win at least one more championship together. Also, I always wanted to become a coach and help our student-athletes be successful on/off the court to prepare them to be the best of themselves."
What drew you to coach tennis at Salem State?
"I graduated from Salem State and played tennis for Salem State all four years when I was here, so it means a lot to me to have the opportunity to coach the team that I played for. The other players and I started a dynasty for the tennis team in 2018, and we would like to keep it going and win more championships for SSU. So I feel very grateful that the AD [Nicolle Wood] brought me back to the Vikings' family right after I graduated."
What advice would you give athletes who aspire to become head coaches?
Stay disciplined in the sport that you love to play and be patient. The opportunity will come to you if you are humble, and you always give 120% in whatever sport you are playing."
What were some of the positive aspects of being a DIII athlete?
"I learned how important it is to be a good teammate, but as well as a leader. I also had the opportunity to compete for championships at a college level of tennis; playing a college sport opened many doors for me."
Did you ever envision as a student that you would one day be coaching at Salem State?
"I knew I would be back as an assistant coach after I graduated from Salem State, but I never thought I would become the head coach at this early age."
How does it feel to win a championship as a player and then accomplish the feat as a head coach?
"I am the first one to win a championship as a player and as a coach in Salem State men's tennis program history, and this is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. The moments that I have been through with my teammates and my players are priceless and we all became a part of history, and that's why we play!"