Tennis Coach Comes Out Of Retirement To Coach Varsity Boys At Briarcliff

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

2023-05-17

Retired social studies teacher Bob Slotoroff thought his coaching days were over, but when he received an offer from Briarcliff School District Athletics Director and neighbor Chris Drosopoulos to coach the Varsity Boys Tennis team, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I didn’t come back to earn a paycheck, I wanted to interact with the kids,” he said. “Briarcliff School District is great – what’s not to like? The kids are great – that’s the biggest plus for me.”

With years of coaching at Pleasantville under his belt, where he has also taught for 23 years, Mr. Slotoroff’s transition was a smooth sailing.

“The district is very welcoming,” he said. “and I still have time in the morning for other activities, like playing golf.”

Mr. Slotoroff is pleased with the season so far.

“It has been a very good season,” he said. “We finished the season with 12 wins and one loss. We have a strong team for our league and completed the schedule undefeated in our league, winning the league title. We are strong even outside of our league, losing only one match to a tough Bronxville team.”

Mr. Slotoroff feels fortunate to inherit a strong team.

“There are three solid singles players, two formidable doubles teams and additional support players when called upon,” he said. “The top two singles players, Eli Snider and Charlie Martin, earned All Section honors this season and the doubles teams were led by three seniors, Cooper Plank, Alexander Josey and Ryan Wancier. Ryan’s doubles partner, Jordan Kratz, is a junior and will continue his stellar play next season. Throughout the season these doubles teams won every match except one.”

The team of 13 players typically has seven players who play at every single match, with the rest playing occasionally at exhibition matches.

“We play in a league where seven players are playing pretty much all the time and so far everyone got to play in at least one match,” he said.

Although he is unsure if he will continue with the team next year, Mr. Slotoroff is optimistic about the team’s abilities next year.

“There are only three seniors graduating, so Briarcliff will have a strong team next year and the guys coming up are solid tennis players, too,” he said.

“I love coaching tennis – it is a smart sport and the kids are all very smart academically,” he said. “Obviously, there are plenty of smart kids that play other sports, but when they are grouped together on such a small team, it is very apparent.”

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.