Author: Sharen Cervantes
Though best known for its academics, Occidental also boasts an impressive number of student athletes, dedicated coaches and enthusiastic administrators.
This year, Oxy’s athletic department stepped up its game with two new hires: Swim/Dive Coach Alex Kuhn and Men’s Tennis Coach Michael Guice ’07. In addition, former Women’s Tennis Coach Linda Park was promoted and is now working as Tennis Coordinator, overseeing both the men’s and women’s tennis teams.
While Athletics Director Jamie Hoffman spoke glowingly about the many positive impacts the new hires are having (and will continue to have) on the college, she is most excited about new recruiting efforts spearheaded by Kuhn, Guice and Park.
“We are more and more committed to pursuing scholar athletes [as opposed to just athletes],” said Hoffman. “With our two new coaches and Linda [Park] as a full-time athletics-department employee, we are striving to be much more proactive in determining our rosters.”
Especially suited to the tough recruiting demands of Oxy, an institution with rigorous academic and athletic standards, is Kuhn, who worked as a recruiting coordinator at Grinnell College and, according to Hoffman, understands what it means to be a student athlete.
“[Coach Kuhn] understands how to recruit for academic success,” said Hoffman.In fact, though he’s only been at Oxy since July 1, Kuhn’s tireless recruiting efforts have already paid off: five student athletes have already applied early decision and are expected to play for Oxy next year.
Coach Guice is also an active recruiter, recruiting for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams in addition to keeping on top of his on-court coaching duties. Following his graduation, Guice was hand-selected by Park and, according to Hoffman, has a “demeanor that makes him a perfect coach.”
He also lives, eats and breathes tennis, teaching the sport throughout Southern California in addition to coaching at Oxy.
“[Michael Guice] is soft-spoken and leads by example,” Hoffman said. This type of dedication is exactly what makes Hoffman say, with confidence, that Guice, Kuhn, and Park are ambassadors for the college.
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