Northwestern University Athletics
Catching Up with Former 'Cats: Strong Kirchheimer
11/19/2019 10:22:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Name: Strong Kirchheimer
Hometown: Cary N.C
Graduated with Degree in: Communications
Years attended NU: 2013-2017
NU Tennis Resume:
- Combined singles/doubles win leader: 179
- Program doubles win leader: 72
- 2015-2016 Dual Match Record: 24-1
- Two-time NCAA individual qualifier
- Three-time All Big Ten
Tell us a bit about what you have been doing since you graduated?
Since graduating in 2017, I've been pursuing a career in professional tennis. I've spent the majority of my time playing in the lower futures circuit, but recently had the opportunity to start moving into the challenger level, which is about the equivalent of AA in baseball. This past summer I posted wins over multiple former top 100 players and picked up my first win at the ATP level.
What were your personal tennis goals before you went to college?
Following my commitment to Northwestern, my main priority was to get to a point where I was a good enough tennis player to be in my team's lineup. I also wanted to not only play but be able to consistently come through with wins for my team. I had always loved watching dual matches and could not wait to be able to compete in them. When I was preparing for Northwestern throughout my senior year of high school, I spent my practices working on developing my game so I would be able to make the transition from junior to collegiate tennis. For me, that meant becoming more aggressive and developing my ability to absorb the pace of a bigger ball and send it back without being hurt too much from it.
I was also not a particularly great athlete prior to Northwestern. I had below average foot speed and was not strong in the weight room. I knew I needed to spend time working on my athletic ability. I learned how to do the majority of basic lifts like squats, dead lifts and bench press before I arrived on campus.
Thinking back on your recruiting process, what made Northwestern rise to the top of your list and then become your eventual choice? What made NU stand out?
During my recruiting process I knew I wanted to go to a school that had the best of both worlds in terms of tennis and academics, and Northwestern quickly rose to the top of that list. At the time, I was very unsure if I would be playing tennis after college, so I wanted to be at a place where I could get a degree that would give me the opportunity to be successful when I graduated. The tennis program at Northwestern is at the highest caliber of collegiate tennis, so it is a really unique place to be great at both tennis and academics. After spending time with both Arvid and Chris, it was clear they had a passion to be one of the top teams in the country, and that was something I wanted to contribute to. At the majority of other schools I was looking at I didn't see the potential of being a part of both an elite tennis and academic culture. It became clear to me that a Northwestern degree would set me up for the rest of my life whenever my tennis career was over, and I feel a lot less pressure out here on tour knowing that I have a world class degree. I knew early on in the process that if I went to Northwestern it would be so much better for my future than any of my other options, so it was a pretty easy decision for me.
How has the David G. Kabiller NU for Life program helped you with your post college career?
The Kabiller NU for Life has been phenomenal in assisting me with building a career away from tennis. As of now, professional tennis is the career path I'm pursuing, but when I eventually finish with the sport, I'm prepared to make the move into the business world through the assistance of NU for Life. Even post-graduation the Kabiller NU for Life Program has continued to assist me with my non-tennis related endeavors. Again, I think it's important to say that it is much easier for me to play professionally knowing I have the support of NU for Life whenever I am done, as well as the Northwestern degree in my pocket.
Can you talk a little bit about the program and what your experience was like playing with Coaches Arvid and Chris?
Under Arvid and Chris, the team culture was about hard work, discipline and holding everyone accountable. During my first two years of school, we spent a period of time in the top 20 of the ITA rankings. In my junior and senior year, we spent the majority of the season ranked within the top 15, reaching a team rank high of 6. Arvid and Chris are developmental oriented coaches. I spent the majority of my individuals with them working on taking my game to the next level. In my junior year, I remember one of the main focuses for me was spending time on improving my slice backhand so I could feel confident using it in a match during offensive or defensive situations. The same individual attention was given to my teammates regarding what was specifically needed for their game. I felt really comfortable with both coaches knowing that they were always there for me not just on the court, but also outside of tennis.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Hometown: Cary N.C
Graduated with Degree in: Communications
Years attended NU: 2013-2017
NU Tennis Resume:
- Combined singles/doubles win leader: 179
- Program doubles win leader: 72
- 2015-2016 Dual Match Record: 24-1
- Two-time NCAA individual qualifier
- Three-time All Big Ten
Tell us a bit about what you have been doing since you graduated?
Since graduating in 2017, I've been pursuing a career in professional tennis. I've spent the majority of my time playing in the lower futures circuit, but recently had the opportunity to start moving into the challenger level, which is about the equivalent of AA in baseball. This past summer I posted wins over multiple former top 100 players and picked up my first win at the ATP level.
What were your personal tennis goals before you went to college?
Following my commitment to Northwestern, my main priority was to get to a point where I was a good enough tennis player to be in my team's lineup. I also wanted to not only play but be able to consistently come through with wins for my team. I had always loved watching dual matches and could not wait to be able to compete in them. When I was preparing for Northwestern throughout my senior year of high school, I spent my practices working on developing my game so I would be able to make the transition from junior to collegiate tennis. For me, that meant becoming more aggressive and developing my ability to absorb the pace of a bigger ball and send it back without being hurt too much from it.
I was also not a particularly great athlete prior to Northwestern. I had below average foot speed and was not strong in the weight room. I knew I needed to spend time working on my athletic ability. I learned how to do the majority of basic lifts like squats, dead lifts and bench press before I arrived on campus.
Thinking back on your recruiting process, what made Northwestern rise to the top of your list and then become your eventual choice? What made NU stand out?
During my recruiting process I knew I wanted to go to a school that had the best of both worlds in terms of tennis and academics, and Northwestern quickly rose to the top of that list. At the time, I was very unsure if I would be playing tennis after college, so I wanted to be at a place where I could get a degree that would give me the opportunity to be successful when I graduated. The tennis program at Northwestern is at the highest caliber of collegiate tennis, so it is a really unique place to be great at both tennis and academics. After spending time with both Arvid and Chris, it was clear they had a passion to be one of the top teams in the country, and that was something I wanted to contribute to. At the majority of other schools I was looking at I didn't see the potential of being a part of both an elite tennis and academic culture. It became clear to me that a Northwestern degree would set me up for the rest of my life whenever my tennis career was over, and I feel a lot less pressure out here on tour knowing that I have a world class degree. I knew early on in the process that if I went to Northwestern it would be so much better for my future than any of my other options, so it was a pretty easy decision for me.
How has the David G. Kabiller NU for Life program helped you with your post college career?
The Kabiller NU for Life has been phenomenal in assisting me with building a career away from tennis. As of now, professional tennis is the career path I'm pursuing, but when I eventually finish with the sport, I'm prepared to make the move into the business world through the assistance of NU for Life. Even post-graduation the Kabiller NU for Life Program has continued to assist me with my non-tennis related endeavors. Again, I think it's important to say that it is much easier for me to play professionally knowing I have the support of NU for Life whenever I am done, as well as the Northwestern degree in my pocket.
Can you talk a little bit about the program and what your experience was like playing with Coaches Arvid and Chris?
Under Arvid and Chris, the team culture was about hard work, discipline and holding everyone accountable. During my first two years of school, we spent a period of time in the top 20 of the ITA rankings. In my junior and senior year, we spent the majority of the season ranked within the top 15, reaching a team rank high of 6. Arvid and Chris are developmental oriented coaches. I spent the majority of my individuals with them working on taking my game to the next level. In my junior year, I remember one of the main focuses for me was spending time on improving my slice backhand so I could feel confident using it in a match during offensive or defensive situations. The same individual attention was given to my teammates regarding what was specifically needed for their game. I felt really comfortable with both coaches knowing that they were always there for me not just on the court, but also outside of tennis.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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