Paul Torricelli (Men's Tennis Coach, 1984-2007)
The winningest coach in program history, Paul Torricelli compiled a 343-257 (.572) overall record and a 162-114 (.587) mark in Big Ten Conference play at the helm of the Northwestern men’s tennis team for 24 seasons. He led the Wildcats to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, two undefeated seasons in conference play and a Big Ten championship (1990), while earning three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. Two of Torricelli's teams, the 1990 and 1997 squads, advanced to the NCAA Tournament round of 16.
Twenty-eight of his players earned All-Big Ten recognition and 57 All-Big Ten Academic selections. Three players (Todd Martin, 1990; Alex Witt, 1997; and Marc Silva, 1998) earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors. Steve Herdoiza (1989), Martin (1990) and Silva (1998) earned Big Ten singles titles. Torricelli’s 2003 team was named the first ever recipient of the ITA Team Sportsmanship Award. Both Herdoiza and Martin were previously inducted into the NU Hall of Fame.
Most notably, Martin, who turned professional in 1990 just after his sophomore year at Northwestern, become a Grand Slam finalist and Davis Cup mainstay, at one point becoming the No. 4 ranked player in the world by the ATP.
Torricelli’s coaching tree includes 10 former assistants and players who have become head coaches themselves. These include at Michigan, Pepperdine, Minnesota, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Northern Illinois, Cal Poly, Western Kentucky, Nebraska, Georgetown and current Northwestern head coach Arvid Swan.
After his coaching career, Torricelli served 10 years as a tennis color commentator for Big Ten Network, as well as stints with the Pac-12 Network and ACC Network.
Torricelli was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009. He is entering his 33rd year at Northwestern serving as a Senior Associate Director for Alumni Relations & Development.
Twenty-eight of his players earned All-Big Ten recognition and 57 All-Big Ten Academic selections. Three players (Todd Martin, 1990; Alex Witt, 1997; and Marc Silva, 1998) earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors. Steve Herdoiza (1989), Martin (1990) and Silva (1998) earned Big Ten singles titles. Torricelli’s 2003 team was named the first ever recipient of the ITA Team Sportsmanship Award. Both Herdoiza and Martin were previously inducted into the NU Hall of Fame.
Most notably, Martin, who turned professional in 1990 just after his sophomore year at Northwestern, become a Grand Slam finalist and Davis Cup mainstay, at one point becoming the No. 4 ranked player in the world by the ATP.
Torricelli’s coaching tree includes 10 former assistants and players who have become head coaches themselves. These include at Michigan, Pepperdine, Minnesota, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Northern Illinois, Cal Poly, Western Kentucky, Nebraska, Georgetown and current Northwestern head coach Arvid Swan.
After his coaching career, Torricelli served 10 years as a tennis color commentator for Big Ten Network, as well as stints with the Pac-12 Network and ACC Network.
Torricelli was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009. He is entering his 33rd year at Northwestern serving as a Senior Associate Director for Alumni Relations & Development.
