Mike Guastelle, Sacred Heart University (SHU) Head Coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams, celebrates 30 years at SHU. Guastelle is not only a coach, but he is also a Senior Associate Athletic Director.
Guastelle’s passion for tennis started when he was 12 years old playing throughout his high school and collegiate career where he attended Springfield College in Massachusetts.
“I did not have the path most kids do growing up in the game,” said Guastelle. “I picked up the game later as a child and played other sports throughout high school besides tennis.”
In 1994, Guastelle became the head coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams and Coordinator of Athletic Communications. Guastelle would help lead both tennis teams to success.
Guastelle led the men’s team in 2004 to the finals of the Northeast Conference Championship and led the women’s team in 2005 to the New England Intercollegiate Championship.
Source: Sacred Heart Athletics
Source: Instagram, @sacredhearttennis
Judy Ann Riccio, Director of Athletics at SHU, says Guastelle has had a tremendous impact at SHU both as a coach and an administrator.
“I am so thankful for all that Guastelle had given to this University, both an administrative and a coaching role,” said Riccio. “He is a valued member of the athletics department, and I am looking forward to many more years of successful tennis with Guastelle.”
Guastelle has won Coach of the Year twice as the women’s coach, 1997 and 2023. Although Guastelle has seen a lot of changes since he started coaching, the student athletes are the same when he first started.
“They are highly competitive, highly motivated young people who I hope are having the best college tennis experience they can at SHU,” said Guastelle.
Lefteri Apostolou, senior student athlete on the men’s tennis team, has learned a lot from Guastelle and loves having him as his coach in his collegiate career.
“Coach has helped me a lot in understanding the game from a more strategic and tactical point of view, which has led me to make better decisions at important moments in my matches,” said Apostolou. “I am very grateful to have him by my side these years and I hope he continues to do very well in his work.”
Guastelle enjoys being around his athletes and likes to build good relationships with each one of them on and off the court. Riccio says it is one of the reasons why the tennis teams are successful.
“Guastelle is invested in his players, he advocates for his programs, has a wonderful working relationship with the teams and athletics administration,” said Riccio.
While Guastelle builds relationships with his players he also learns lessons from them along the way.
“They taught me that everybody is different and when you deal with each person on an individual basis, you need to be flexible on how you approach them,” said Guastelle.
Many people are very appreciative of what Guastelle has done for SHU as a coach and as an administrator in his 30 years.
“He is someone who cares about you on and off the court and always wants the best for you as a person and as a player,” said Apostolou. “I have had ups and downs, and he has always been there as a support mechanism.”
