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Steve Tyler
Head coach
Veteran instructor and player Steve Tyler is in his first season as head coach of the Central College men’s and women’s tennis program.
A Fort Dodge, Iowa native, Tyler has more than 30 years experience as a coach and amateur player. He was the head girls’ tennis coach at Central High School in Grand Junction, Colo. from 2005-08 and was head boys’ tennis coach in 2008 as well. Tyler was an assistant coach at Mesa State College (Colo.) from 2001-03.
At Central High School Tyler took over a girls’ program with 14 players in 2005 and in three seasons built it into a squad with 40 competitors. Central High School had four Class 5A state tournament qualifiers in 2008, a first for the school.
Tyler competed as a walk-on at the Univ. of Iowa, where graduated with honors in 1974. He earned a master’s degree at the Univ. of Northern Colorado.
He has lofty goals for the Dutch women’s and men’s programs.
“The Central athletics department’s mission statement lays it out,” he said. “It’s about having a program based on having fun, sportsmanship and playing at the absolute highest level that we can achieve. I want to run a program that’s steeped in all of that and we want to practice and play daily with those values in mind.
“If we do that, the wins will come. We’ll compete at the very top of the Iowa Conference and hopefully on a national basis.”
Tyler has a simple recipe for his players’ improvement.
“Spend time on the court,” he said. “There’s no substitute for hard work.”
A United States Professional Tennis Association certified teaching professional, Tyler remains an accomplished player. He has won numerous honors competing in sectional and national tournaments, including a runner-up finish in the Inter-Mountain Sectional Men’s 50 tourney in 2004. Tyler has also frequently competed successfully in father-son and father-daughter tournaments, attaining the No. 1 ranking in Colorado father-daughter teams. His son Matt is an assistant tennis coach at Colgate Univ. while daughter Hilary is an assistant at St. Lawrence Univ. after a stellar playing career at Colorado State Univ.
“We’re thrilled to have Stephen at Central,” athletics director Al Dorenkamp said. “He’s been around tennis most of his life as a player and as a coach. I think the student-athletes and recruits find he has a real love for the game as well as a passion for helping them grow and develop.”
Coach Steve Tyler has lofty goals for the Dutch.
“We’re setting the standards really high for excellence and expectations, but not to the exclusion of having fun,” he said. “Part of the fun is to excel and part of the fun is putting in hard work.
“There’s no reason Central players can’t be at the very top in mental toughness, fitness and education.”
Tyler also makes a promise to his players.
“I can guarantee I will hold myself to the same standards as the team in terms of hard work, honesty and integrity,” he said.
To contact Coach Steve Tyler
Office: (641) 628-5194
Cell: (970) 640-8617
E-mail: tylers@central.edu
Nick Rohner
Assistant Coach
Nick Rohner is in his first season as assistant women’s and men’s tennis coach at Central.
Rohner graduated from Central in 2008 and was a two-time letterwinner on the Dutch men’s tennis squad. He posted a 25-21 career singles mark, including a 14-10 record in 2008, advancing to the Flight B finals in both singles and doubles at the Iowa Conference tournament.
A Wichita, Kan. native, Rohner attended Kapaun Mount Carmel High School. He was involved in Campus Ministries activities at Central, participating in work projects in Reynosa, Mexico and St. Louis, Mo. as well as in Katrina relief projects in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Loren Liming
Strength and conditioning coach
Central College senior Loren Liming of Ames is serving the Central College men’s and women’s tennis staff as strength and conditioning coach.
Liming, in his second year as a student assistant for head strength and conditioning coach Jake Anderson, completed a summer internship with the strength and conditioning program for the Iowa State Univ. football squad.
An exercise science/strength and conditioning major, Liming is also a varsity letterwinner for the Dutch men’s basketball team.
Liming guides the Central tennis squads through in-season and off-season workouts.
“I believe the appointment of Loren will add greatly to our confidence on the courts,” said first-year men’s and women’s tennis coach Steve Tyler. “Loren brings an understanding of strength, quickness, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Through dynamic stretching, disciplined lifting, footwork and cardio workouts, Loren will be a catalyst in allowing our players to reach the next rung, as well as have fun doing so.
“Loren has demonstrated that he shares our passion for helping the Central tennis program compete with the very best in the nation.”