Rebecca Helt Steps Down after 22 Seasons as Bucknell Women’s Tennis Coach
7/3/2019 2:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Rebecca Helt, who coached the Bucknell women's tennis team for the last 22 seasons, announced on Wednesday that she is departing Bucknell to become the head men's and women's tennis coach at Bloomsburg.
"I have had the distinct pleasure of being a part of significant growth within Bucknell Athletics over the last 22 years," said Helt. "My players and their parents, both past and present, have been the most amazing part of this journey, and I will cherish my relationships and memories for the rest of my life. I'm grateful to have had a long and wonderful experience at Bucknell, and I look forward to seeing what new and exciting heights await the tennis program."
"I would like to thank Rebecca Helt for all she has meant to her student-athletes and the Bison tennis programs during her tenure at Bucknell," said director of athletics and recreation Jermaine Truax. "Rebecca recruited and mentored some of the finest tennis players in school history, and her teams consistently stood out academically as well. We wish her all the best in this new chapter in her career."
Helt leaves Bucknell as the winningest women's tennis coach in school history after compiling a 242-220 dual-match record over 22 seasons. She also coached the Bison men's tennis squad from 2002-13, picking up another 106 victories along the way. All told, Helt won 348 duals while coaching two Patriot League Player of the Year honorees, five Patriot League Rookies of the Year, 46 All-Patriot League selections and seven Academic All-Patriot League selections.
In 2012, Helt helped Gregg Cohenca and Evan Zimmer reach the NCAA Championships in doubles, a first in school and Patriot League history. In 2005, Helt coached Nada Curcic to the first Patriot League Player of the Year award in team history, and two years later Ira Reibeisen became Bucknell's first Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year. More recently, Helt recruited both of the league's 2013 Rookie of the Year honorees in Nick Bybel and Maria Cioffi, who each went on to break the school victory records during stellar careers. Bybel became the first Bison player to play in the ITA All-American Championships, while Cioffi earned Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Helt, who played collegiately at Lock Haven, replaced Hall-of-Famer Rose Ewan as women's tennis coach prior to the 1997-98 season, and she is one of only three head coaches since the program's inception in 1973-74. In fact, Helt will depart as one of the longest-tenured woman head coaches in Bucknell history. Only Cindy Opalski, who coached the volleyball team for 23 seasons (1990-2012), had a longer tenure with one sport.
A national search will be conducted to identify Bucknell's next head women's tennis coach.
"I have had the distinct pleasure of being a part of significant growth within Bucknell Athletics over the last 22 years," said Helt. "My players and their parents, both past and present, have been the most amazing part of this journey, and I will cherish my relationships and memories for the rest of my life. I'm grateful to have had a long and wonderful experience at Bucknell, and I look forward to seeing what new and exciting heights await the tennis program."
"I would like to thank Rebecca Helt for all she has meant to her student-athletes and the Bison tennis programs during her tenure at Bucknell," said director of athletics and recreation Jermaine Truax. "Rebecca recruited and mentored some of the finest tennis players in school history, and her teams consistently stood out academically as well. We wish her all the best in this new chapter in her career."
Helt leaves Bucknell as the winningest women's tennis coach in school history after compiling a 242-220 dual-match record over 22 seasons. She also coached the Bison men's tennis squad from 2002-13, picking up another 106 victories along the way. All told, Helt won 348 duals while coaching two Patriot League Player of the Year honorees, five Patriot League Rookies of the Year, 46 All-Patriot League selections and seven Academic All-Patriot League selections.
In 2012, Helt helped Gregg Cohenca and Evan Zimmer reach the NCAA Championships in doubles, a first in school and Patriot League history. In 2005, Helt coached Nada Curcic to the first Patriot League Player of the Year award in team history, and two years later Ira Reibeisen became Bucknell's first Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year. More recently, Helt recruited both of the league's 2013 Rookie of the Year honorees in Nick Bybel and Maria Cioffi, who each went on to break the school victory records during stellar careers. Bybel became the first Bison player to play in the ITA All-American Championships, while Cioffi earned Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Helt, who played collegiately at Lock Haven, replaced Hall-of-Famer Rose Ewan as women's tennis coach prior to the 1997-98 season, and she is one of only three head coaches since the program's inception in 1973-74. In fact, Helt will depart as one of the longest-tenured woman head coaches in Bucknell history. Only Cindy Opalski, who coached the volleyball team for 23 seasons (1990-2012), had a longer tenure with one sport.
A national search will be conducted to identify Bucknell's next head women's tennis coach.
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