The UW-Whitewater tennis team enters the upcoming season under new leadership, though their new head coach is no stranger to the program.
“My first experience here was actually being a camper at the Whitewater tennis camp as a seventh grader,” said Byron Balkin, the new head coach for Warhawk tennis. “I came for six or seven years, and it was my favorite week of the year growing up.”
Balkin played for the Warhawks from 2010-14 and later served as an assistant coach under long-time coach Frank Barnes, who Balkin called his first coach.
That familiarity gives this year’s team an advantage, senior captain Gracie Ha said.
“Knowing that he has gone through summer camps here as a kid, he’s gone through Whitewater as a player and as an assistant coach, so he knows how things run here,” Ha said.
Having seen the program from so many angles, camper, player, assistant and now head coach, Balkin brings a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed at Whitewater.
“Part of my coaching philosophy is a process that helped me as a student-athlete, which I shared with both teams: balancing the moment and understanding your priorities with academics, athletics and social life,” Balkin said.
Ha said that philosophy is already shaping the team’s energy and expectations.
“He is very motivated and determined, and he knows what he wants in a team,” Ha said. “It’s great that he is pushing us to our maximum on the court and wants us to give it our all in matches and practice.”
For Balkin, a successful year for both the men’s and women’s teams starts in practice and aims to set the standard for Division III tennis. Entering a program with such a rich culture can be challenging, but Balkin’s involvement with Whitewater began years ago and started even before players arrived on campus.
“It was really nice that Coach Balkin had a conversation with all of the players before we got to campus,” Ha said. “We had one-on-one calls with him before even stepping on the courts. It showed us that change can be a challenge but also a positive thing.”
With Balkin at the helm, the Warhawks enter the season with stability and renewed energy. His familiarity with the program and commitment to player development have quickly earned the team’s trust, positioning both squads to continue building on Whitewater’s tradition of excellence.
