| UTSA women's tennis coach Erin Boisclair collected her first career victory on Jan. 28 against North Texas. |
New UTSA head women’s tennis coach Erin Boisclair came to San Antonio with impressive credentials. Boisclair was an assistant coach for two years at Wisconsin, leading the Badgers to a top 50 national ranking during the 2004-05 season, two Big Ten Tournaments and a pair of NCAA Championships appearances during her stay in Madison. As a player, she was named co-captain during her senior year at Washington and led the Huskies to a second-place finish in the Pac-10 and a sixth-place showing at the NCAA Championships. At the age of 16, she represented the U.S. National Team and was ranked as No. 1 in the nation. Last week, the first-year head coach — who collected her first career victory on Jan. 28 against North Texas — sat down with goUTSA.com to discuss her transition to San Antonio, this year’s team and some of her career highlights.
What did you choose to come to UTSA?
“My passion always has been to be a head coach and I felt it was time to make the jump from an assistant. Everyone at UTSA, including the players, made me want to come here. I knew that I wanted to take this job when I met with the girls on the team during my interview. I love being a part of Roadrunner Athletics.”
What are the differences between being an assistant coach and head coach?
“Now, I am responsible for a team and how they perform on and off the court. My team is a reflection of me. As an assistant coach, I was learning what it was all about in terms of being a coach. I truly love being a head coach and know this is what I was meant to be doing.”
What is the potential of this year’s team?
“We have great potential as a team and, if we continue to work hard and have a good positive attitude, there is no limit on what we can do. I believe in everyone, but the question is, 'do they believe in themselves?' It is my job as head coach to make them believe.”
How has the adjustment been from Wisconsin to Texas?
“One big difference between the two states is the weather. I forgot how much I missed playing outside. On a personal level, I lived in many different places, therefore it has not been a big adjustment yet. Everyone at UTSA as been such a big help in my transition.”
What are the greatest experiences from your tennis career?
“I’ve had so many great experiences as a player. One of them was being able to travel around the world representing the United States. It was such a positive experience. Also, playing in the NCAA representing my college was such an great experience. There is nothing more exciting than having your teammates and best friends playing next to you at the NCAA level.”
What are the differences from being a coach and being a player?
“The two are very different, but at the same time, very similar. I still feel the same amount of butterflies and competitiveness before a match. The only difference now is I cannot get out there and hit balls. I must be able to communicate with my players on how they are going to beat a particular player.”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
“I don't like to look ahead into the future, I prefer to focus on the task at hand. The answer to that question right now is I need to focus on this season and recruit the best possible players for next year.”