Each Monday of the fall semester, we’ll be bringing you three different “Getting to Know Them” profiles on coaches, athletic administrators and athletic trainers at Slippery Rock to introduce you to the folks behind the scenes here at The Rock. Next up, we check in with women’s tennis head coach Matt Meredith.

QUICK BIO
The winningest coach in SRU history, Meredith is now in his 23rd season in charge of the tennis program at The Rock. He owns a career record of 323-182 and has led Slippery Rock to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and three NCAA Regional titles. Meredith has been honored for his coaching excellence with six PSAC Coach of the Year awards. In addition to the three regional titles SRU has claimed under Meredith, The Rock have finished runner-up in the region five times. Under his leadership, a total of 43 student-athletes have earned All-PSAC honors on the court and 100 of his players have earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors for their performance in the classroom. In addition to his coaching duties, Meredith also oversees the academic support services for the SRU athletic department. A 1992 graduate of Slippery Rock, Meredith was a two-year captain for the SRU men’s team and also coached the men’s team for nine seasons before it was discontinued as a varsity sport in 2006.

IN HIS WORDS

Q: What was your favorite subject in school? Why? 
A: History, because knowing your past will help you tomorrow.

Q: What was your first job growing up?
A: I worked as a grocery bag person at a Riverside market in DuBois, Pennsylvania during my junior year in high school. I got the job by giving free tennis lessons to the CEO and another VP for Riverside. At that time, I was not allowed to take money for the lessons. I asked if instead of paying me, I could have a job at the local grocery store. I worked there until I graduated high school. Then I started teaching tennis during summer breaks from The Rock.

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into a career in collegiate athletics?
A: After I graduated from The Rock in 1992 I spent three years in the Philly area teaching tennis and looking for a teaching job. I decided to go back to SRU to work on my master’s degree in special education and was a graduate assistant for the Intramurals Department, which was run by my former tennis coach James McFarland. During that time, I also volunteered working with the tennis teams. I realized that collegiate coaching could fill both my passions for educating and developing future tennis players. I was lucky to be mentored by Dr. McFarland and his excitement for coaching and educating was contagious. 23 years later, I still love every minute of what I do. 

Q: What’s your all-time favorite movie?
A: The Patriot.

Q: What’s your favorite meal?
A: Rapini or broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic and olive oil, over pasta. 

Q: Tell us about your family. 
A: I have two wonderful children and they are my life. My son Keaton is a freshman this year at Slippery Rock, and my daughter Sami is in her junior year across the street at Slippery Rock Area High School.

Q: How do you relax?
A: Spending time with my kids and watching their sporting events, especially my daughter’s softball games, where I can cheer as loud as I want. It’s a lot different than a tennis match! I also like working out at the ARC. 

Q: What meal/dish/item are you best at cooking? 
A: All Of them. I am a GREAT cook! Ask my team.

Q: What artists and/or songs on your current most-listened to playlist?
A: I listen to whatever is on the tennis team’s playlist. It makes for an interesting van ride to and from matches.

Q: Favorite TV show of all-time?
A: Seinfeld.

Q: What’s the best advice you ever received and who did it come from?
A: “Think before you react.” My Father.

Q: What’s your favorite season/type of weather? Why? 
A: In western Pennsylvania we have two seasons. I prefer not winter over winter.

Q: When you go grocery shopping, are you the “Make a List” person or the “Just Wing It” person?
A: Just wing it.

Q: Are you a tech savvy person?
A: Somewhat. I always try to recruit a computer science major to help with those problems. And yes, Olivia Warner you will be missed next year. LOL

Q: Describe your perfect day off. 
A: Playing pickleball till I drop.

Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Not being tall enough to ride all of the rides at an amusement park. 

Q: How many and what kind of pets do you have? How long have you had them?
A: We have two cats named Stevie and Daisy, they are six, We also have a dog named Buddy that is five.

Q: Cats or dogs?
A: Both.

Q: Who are your heroes? 
A: I have two: my father and former tennis coach, Jim McFarland.

Q: Can you sing?
A: I think I can, but my daughter would disagree.

Q: What is/would be your go-to karaoke song?
A: “Am I a Man or Am I a Muppet?”

Q: Fly or drive for a long trip?
A: Fly.

Q: How long can you go without looking at your phone?
A: Two to three hours, it depends how long practice is.

Q: What was the last app you downloaded on your phone?=
A: The U S Open tennis app.

Q: What is your most-used app?
A: WhatsApp.

Q: Retirement destination?=
A: When I retire I plan on visiting all of my former international student-athletes throughout the world.

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