Roger Crawford Tabbed as Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach

BROOKLYN, N.Y. —  St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) Athletic Director Frank P. Carbone has announced the hiring of Roger Crawford as head men's and women's tennis coach for their inaugural season competing in the Skyline Conference.

"Crawford boasts an impressive resume coaching players of all ages and abilities," remarked Carbone. "He fits right into the Bears family with his energy and enthusiasm, which will serve him well in developing a strong tennis program here in Brooklyn."

The Ghana native brings over 20 years of coaching and playing experience to Clinton Hill. A USTA High Performance Tennis, USTA Sports Science and ITF Level 2 Certified Coach, Crawford has coached toddlers to tour-level players.

He currently is a tennis professional with LifeTime Athletic Clubs at the Harrison, N.Y. club for nearly two years after working in their Eden Prarie, Minnesota club for five years prior. Crawford is dedicated to an enthusiastic, fun and dynamic way of teaching while focusing on the technical, tactical, physical and mental areas of tennis.

"I'm humbled and thrilled for Frank to grant me the opportunity to return to coaching collegiate tennis," commented Crawford who makes his second stint coaching in the Skyline Conference after coaching the Yeshiva University women's tennis team from 2006 to 2008. "I have dedicated my life to developing great tennis players and I'm excited to do the same for the Bears and Lady Bears."

As a player, Crawford was a national junior and practice partner for the Ghanaian Davis Cup team as well as a non-playing captain. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Ghana in 1994.

Crawford brings along Kareem Sullivan as his assistant coach. Sullivan played at Division I George Mason University. He was a Junior Director at the John McEnroe/Sportime Tennis Academy at Lake Isle, Eastchester. Crawford and Sullivan won the 2004 Mulally Open Men's Doubles Championships and have collaborated in developing high level tennis players.

Crawford, 43, resides in Larchmont, N.Y. He has four children, Ruth, 19, Hope, 18, Courage, 15 and Wisdom, 7. Ruth, a sophomore, plays Division I tennis at the University of Massachusetts. Hope and Courage are 2015 New York State High School State Boys Doubles champions.

After concluding 2014 with a runner-up finish at the HVIAC championships, the Lady Bears will open a 12-match slate in their inaugural Skyline season on Friday, September 18 with a league contest at The Sage Colleges starting at 4 p.m.