Lee Nickell
5/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Lee Nickell
Assistant Coach
Now in his third year as assistant coach for the Alabama Tennis team, Lee Nickell has made an immediate impact on the Crimson Tide’s fortunes.
"Lee brings a lot of energy to the program,” head coach Billy Pate said. “He's on the court with the guys and is poised to be a head coach very soon, and I think he's completely unselfish.
One of the things Pate appreciates most about Nickell, who is involved in all aspects of the Alabama program, is the dedication he brings to the program and its success.
“Lee has had some chances already to pursue a head coaching job, but he feels that we're in position to have some success this year and he’s excited to be a part of it,” Pate said. “I really value that kind of loyalty and commitment.”
For his part, Nickell, who played at Furman during his collegiate career, brings an unbridled enthusiasm not just for tennis, but Southeastern Conference tennis in particular.
“It didn’t take me long to get pumped up when I played an SEC opponent because I knew I was playing the best players in the country,” Nickell said.
A four-year letterman at Furman, Nickell was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection. In 1999 and 2000 he was all-conference in singles and in 2000 he earned all-conference doubles honors as well after posting a 23-8 record. Even during his playing days, Nickell quickly realized he had a desire to one day be a collegiate coach.
“Ever since going to Furman and learning from such an amazing coach like Paul Scarpa, I have wanted to get into collegiate coaching,” Nickell said. “I really loved the team atmosphere, and the way that a good coach could affect the outcome of a tennis match.”
In 2001, then Notre Dame assistant coach Billy Pate recognized that desire in Nickell. When Pate found himself looking for an assistant coach in the fall of 2004, he knew exactly where to turn.
“Billy Pate asked me during my senior year what my goals were. I said to become a Division I head coach. There was no doubt the moment he called that I would be wearing crimson right away,” Nickell said.
Before coming to the Capstone, Nickell worked for four years at several clubs and tennis centers in the Southeast as a tennis professional, honing his coaching skills while awaiting an opportunity to coach collegiately. He was Head Tennis Pro and Director of Junior Development at Hendersonville Racquet Club and Tennis Pro at Cherokee Tennis Center in Woodstock, Ga.
“There are many things I learned from teaching that affect my coaching here at Alabama,” Nickell said. “First and foremost, you have to be positive on the court. Any negativity from a coach or player results in poor performance. I also studied a great deal of technique that will be incorporated in my working with the guys as well.”
