Jeremy King Has Grown into a Leader On and Off the Court

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – After the Carnegie Mellon men's tennis team missed the NCAA Division III Championships last spring for the first time in three years, senior captain Jeremy King knew things needed to be different in 2012.

"We had high expectations going into last year, and we actually started off the season strong," said King.  "However, it's something that I've accepted as a captain and I've used as a motivational tool for this year."

King is the lone senior on the roster heading into spring competition and has become a huge factor in the team's early success, not only with his play on the court, but with his leadership as well.

"One thing I noticed with the team during my first three years was there were good leaders, but not ones that necessarily motivated other players as well as they maybe should have. That was my main goal this year, to make the team a full team," added King.  "Coming into this year with six freshmen it made it easier for me since they are excited to play and have a great season."

With so many newcomers this season, the team got a fresh start and is up for the task of erasing the memory of its disappointing 2011 campaign.  King feels that the end of last season may have been a blessing in disguise.

"It adds motivation and gives the team a reminder of how it feels to fail at achieving what we're capable of achieving," King said.  

The senior has also used the experience as a stepping stone to becoming a leader.  He uses basic motivation by setting reachable goals for the team.  He sends out emails to make sure they know the importance of what they bring to the team because he feels when people know they are important they give their best effort.

"I did not get the true concept of a team in high school. It came to me as soon as I got to Carnegie Mellon and realized the team meshed well.  One of the best things about playing collegiately at Carnegie Mellon is that you have the support of your teammates that I didn't always have in high school," King said.

At the start of King's freshman season, he found a spot in the singles lineup, but that quickly changed.  He was never a great doubles player prior to college but realized that Division III doubles is just as important, if not more important, than singles play. In college, a team point is awarded for each doubles victory.   King adjusted his play and made a personal effort on working on his doubles game because he knows having a good doubles player in the lineup means so much more for the team.

"Coming into my freshman year I was not a great doubles player, but I have turned into one of the better players on the team in doubles play.  Being recognized as an All-University Athletic Association member last season, as well as making the NCAA Division III Individual Championships as a doubles member my sophomore season is something that is very important to me.  It shows how well my hard work has paid off," King said.


After interning for Coach in New York City last summer, King was offered a full-time position with the company as a merchandise planner. During his internship, his mentor left in the middle and King was asked to take over the lead position. That experience only helped his leadership role heading into this year.  Jeremy will begin his life outside of collegiate tennis upon graduation.  

"Tennis has taught me that hard work gets you places," added King.