Reckewey tabbed to lead men's and women's tennis programs

By on Apr. 23, 2014 in Men's Tennis

Reckewey tabbed to lead men’s and women’s tennis programs

SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University has announced the appointment of Joel Reckewey as head men’s and women’s tennis coach. He will also serve a game management role for men’s and women’s soccer. Officially named to his post on Wednesday, Reckewey (pronounced reck-uh-way) will begin his duties at Concordia on May 1.

Currently the head girl’s tennis coach at Lincoln Christian High School, Reckewey relishes the opportunity to serve at the collegiate level for the first time.

“Concordia University provides a positive and healthy environment that gives the student-athlete every opportunity to learn, grow in their faith and have important life experiences,” Reckewey said. “As the head tennis coach it will be an absolute joy to work with every tennis player, and to strengthen and grow each individual relationship. My mission is to compel my players to always do their best and in the process help them to strengthen their character so they can be great tennis players and people.”

Director of Athletics Devin Smith says Reckewey represents the Christian character necessary of a Bulldog head coach. Furthermore, Reckewey’s expertise and connections within the Lincoln tennis community make him an excellent choice.

“It was clear upon our time with Joel throughout this search process that he was the candidate whose personal views aligned with the mission and vision of Concordia University and the athletic department,” Smith said. “In addition, his recognition and recruiting ties are so evident within Nebraska and surrounding states. We are very excited to have Coach Reckewey join our staff.”

Reckewey has held many positions within the tennis profession since 2006. The Lincoln native began Reckewey Tennis inside the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln in August of 2013, providing a venue for him to give professional instruction to players of all ability and experience levels. Reckewey will continue to operate his full service tennis LLC alongside his duties at Concordia.

A USPTA certified teaching professional since 2008, Reckewey has also served positions as Nebraska Tennis Academy Coach at the Nebraska Tennis Center (2010-present) and Director of Tennis at Prairie Life Fitness (June 2010-present). He was a professional coach at the Mike Wolf Tennis Academy for more than a year (2006-07).

During his collegiate playing career, Reckewey lettered four times at the University of Nebraska Lincoln from 2001-05. As a prep, he won a Kansas State High School tennis championship in 2000 while competing for Shawnee Mission High School, located in Overland Park, Kan. Before moving to Kansas, Reckewey earned a Class A state tournament runner up finish for Lincoln Southeast High School in 1996.

Post college graduation, Reckewey won the Lincoln Open Tennis Tournament championship in 2011 and the Omaha Holiday Tennis Tournament championship in 2010.

Reckewey, who was born in Omaha, graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration (emphasis in marketing) and minors in psychology and English.