Fresno State Athletics
Chantel Wiggins Named Women's Tennis Assistant Coach
6/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
June 14, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - Head women's tennis coach Simon Thibodeau has announced the hiring of Chantel Wiggins as assistant coach, effective immediately.
Wiggins, a former Bulldog, comes to Fresno State from the Fig Garden Racquet Club where she currently coaches. A native of Hanford, Calif., Wiggins brings a strong valley presence to the Bulldogs. At Fig Garden, Wiggins works with women and juniors, gives private and group lessons and has run adult and junior tournaments. At Fresno State she will perform administrative, recruiting, community outreach and on-court duties.
"Chantel is extremely motivated to help this program continue its success," said Thibodeau. "She is ambitious, knowledgeable and professional. It was time she got an opportunity to step into the collegiate coaching ranks and I'm very pleased to add her to our staff."
Wiggins was a four year letterwinner at Fresno State from 1998-02. She ended her career with 63 career singles wins, 15th all-time in Fresno State history. She graduated from Fresno State in 2003 with a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology.
"I am very excited to be a part of the Fresno State Womens Tennis team," said Wiggins. "I plan on giving everything I have to the program. Simon has done an outstanding job and I am very excited to be apart of his fourth season."
Wiggins is the second former student-athlete to take over as assistant coach. When Thibodeau became head coach in 2004, former Bulldog Simon Jardim came on board as assistant.
"Simone was wonderful for this program," said Thibodeau. "She did everything we asked of her and much more. She will definitely be missed."
The Bulldogs finished the season 20-7, won their fifth straight WAC title and made it to the sweet sixteen of the NCAA tournament. The season was also highlighted by individual accomplishments: Thibodeau was named WAC Coach of the Year, freshman Melanie Gloria earned WAC Player and Freshman of the Year and finally, seniors Lucia Sainz and Katharina Winterhalter were finalists in the NCAA Doubles Championships.
