Head Coach Jay Sterling and the Portland State Athletics department announced the hiring of Paul Hesser as the new assistant tennis coach March 15, 2010. Sterling assumed the head coach's position July 14, after taking the interim role Feb. 10, 2010 when former head coach Brian Parrott stepped down to pursue outside ventures. The search for a another assistant began almost immediately.
"I am thrilled to have Paul as part of our team. After a search that featured many talented applicants, Coach Hesser distinguished himself as the best fit for the program," said Sterling, "He has demonstrated an immense respect for our program and our athletes, and he has a genuine belief in the potential of this team. His knowledge of technique, stroke production and analysis will benefit all of our players, and his positive attitude and high energy will be a great asset for the teams."
Hesser comes from the The Academy where he was an assistant coach for nearly eight years, working alongside Portland men's tennis coach Aaron Gross and Travis Parrott, 2009 U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Champion. There he mentored several nationally ranked collegiate players and USTA juniors.
He also assisted at the Irvington Tennis Club for five years. Most recently, Hesser served as the head coach for the boy's tennis team at Grant High School. He started in 2008 and directed a squad comprised of 30 varsity and junior varsity players.
Outside of tennis, Hesser worked a year for Bandon Capital Management in their Internal Operations department, coordinating marketing processes for multi-strategy hedge funds amongst other administrative duties.
He also works as an Ambassador Board Member for Friends of Children, fundraising and raising awareness for the non-profit organization.
Hesser, a 2004 graduate of Portland, earned his B.A. in Spanish with a minor in education. He is a native spanish speaker.
THE HESSER FILE
PERSONAL
Alma Mater: Portland '04
B.A., Spanish; minor in Education
GRANT HIGH SCHOOL 2008-10
• Head Coach of boy's tennis team. Oversaw 30 varsity and junior varsity players.
THE ACADEMY 2002-Present
• Assistant coach for the Academy. Coaches with Portland head men's tennis coach Aaron Gross and U.S. Mixed Doubles Champion, Travis Parrott. Coached numerous nationally ranked USTA juniors.
IRVINGTON CLUB 2005-Present
• Works summer camps at the Irvington Club.
