DeLand, Fla. - Stetson University Head Men's Tennis Coach Pierre Pilote is proud to announce the signing of Alex Hackett (Surrey, England) to a Grant-in-Aid agreement to play for the Hatters starting next fall. Hackett is a transfer from the University of Nottingham in his native country and will have junior eligibility in 2009-10.
A two-time Nottingham Athletic Union Athlete of the Month selection, Hackett compiled a 12-2 singles record and 11-3 doubles record this past season and helped lead his team to the quarterfinals of the British Universities Tennis Cup competition.
Hackett intends to pursue his MBA at Stetson, a path also followed by rising senior Mark Mestan (Cologne, Germany) who transferred to SU last winter following two seasons at NCAA Division II member Hawai'i Pacific University.
“Alex is one of the top 4 players of this very talented class of British players,” Pilote said. “Great Britain has put together one of the strongest player development systems in the world and this year they will be sending the most talented group of players ever to U.S. colleges. Alex is a very mature young man and I look for him to be a significant contributor to our team successes both in singles and doubles play in the coming years”.
The 6'2” Hackett was born August 6, 1987 in Guildford, England and is the son of John and Suzie Hackett. He has one younger brother, George (17).
Hackett will join a 2009-10 Hatter team that features three returning Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team selections and will make the United Kingdom the 10th nation featured on Stetson's multi-cultural roster. The Hatters were 18-7 overall and 7-3 in Atlantic Sun Conference matches in Spring 2009, advancing to the conference tournament finals for the fourth consecutive season.
