Coach Bob Hegner

Bob Hegner begins his first season as head coach for the Cougar men’s tennis team.

Hegner will be joining the ranks of collegiate tennis after a full, rich background in the preps for over 35 years. He coached the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Morton High School in Berwyn, Illinois for more than 30 years where two of his pupils included current Cougars Mike Stricker and Michael Schubert. 

Since 2004, Hegner has coached the girls’ tennis team at Riverside-Brookfield High School. His 2007 team went 20-4 overall, and his last two teams have won conference championships. In addition, Hegner began summer camps three years ago at the school, and the last two camps have had enrollments of more than 100 pupils.

Whether coaching one of his teams or the summer camps, Hegner believes in getting kids involved in the sport as much as possible. “Learning about the game at a young age and having the opportunity to compete not only helps young players develop their skills, but it also instills a passion for the game. I believe that tennis is a lifetime sport, and I like to see others share that feeling well into adulthood.”

Hegner does not expect any major changes in his coaching style by transitioning to the collegiate game. He states that he will emphasize “footwork, consistency over sheer power, and having the right mental aspect.” Hegner believes that, while he can give proper instruction during practices, “it is important that a player can coach himself during a match. Tennis is a game of reaction, and players need to react to what’s happening at a given moment, rather than try to overanalyze a situation. I have a saying that I tell my players – ‘don’t think, just hit’ – and it’s a simple motto that carries a lot of weight.”

Hegner, raised in Berwyn, has played the game of tennis since the age of seven when the park near his home put in new tennis courts. He carried on his love and learning of the game through four years on the Morton East team, two years at Morton College, and two years at Beloit College.

Hegner earned his B.A. in business from Beloit College in 1961 and his M.A. in English from DePaul University in 1963. 

Contact Information:

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708-209-3116 (Office)

708-209-3154 (Fax)