July 15, 2008

DeKalb, Illinois – Northern Illinois Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Jeff Compher announced on Tuesday that he has hired former Baylor University volunteer coach Pawel Gajdzik (pronounced PAW-vul GUY-chek) as the 10th men’s tennis coach in school history.

"It is an honor to have been selected as the head men's tennis coach at Northern Illinois,” Gajdzik said. “The school's high standards and commitment to academic and athletic success makes NIU a very exciting place to be.

“I look forward to building on this vision and to leading the tennis program to a championship level with the help and support of the athletic department and the community of DeKalb.”

Gajdzik, who served as the volunteer assistant since 2002, played a key role in Baylor’s success during his tenure, as the Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament in all seven seasons, including their 2004 National Championship and runner-up finish in 2005.  

“Pawel is a wonderful addition to the Huskie family,” Compher said. “He knows what it takes to perform at a championship level, both as a coach and as a student-athlete. I am confident that great things lie ahead for the NIU men’s tennis team.”

While in Waco, Gajdzik mentored 2004 NCAA singles champion Benjamin Becker and 2005 NCAA singles champion Benedikt Dorsch. In all, Baylor had five All-American selections since 2003 and from 2003-07 had five consecutive top four finishes in the final ITA Division I rankings.  

"There is no one coaching collegiate sports in America that is brighter or more passionate than Pawel Gajdzik,” said two-time National Coach of the Year and Baylor Director of Tennis Operations, Matt Knoll. “His experience with a nationally competitive program at Baylor; together with his Ph.D. in Sports Psychology make him uniquely qualified to lead the Northern Illinois men’s tennis program. I am sure that under his leadership great things are in store."

He is a master multi-tasker, as Gajdzik, in 2005, opened the PG Tennis Academy in Central Texas, while also teaching classes at both Baylor and Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Texas from 2005-08. Gajdzik is currently a doctoral candidate in educational psychology from Baylor.

Gajdzik, who competed for the Bears from 1997-2000, was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Big 12 champion at No. 3 singles in 1998. A two-time Big 12 singles honoree, Gajdzik teamed with Johann Jooste to win the 2000 Big 12 title at No. 2 doubles.

University of Tennessee head men’s tennis coach and former Baylor assistant coach Sam Winterbotham spoke glowingly of Gajdzik.

“(Pawel) is a great guy who has very strong character,” Winterbotham said. “He has both played and coached at the highest level. I think it is a fantastic hire for Northern Illinois.”

Following his senior season, Gajdzik served as the tennis professional at Walnut Creek Country Club, located in Mansfield, Texas.  During his stay, Gajdzik was responsible for all junior development and travel team programs and led his squad to the USTA Junior Team Tennis Texas state championship and a berth to the National Tournament. Many of the junior competitors went on to earn collegiate tennis scholarships.

Gajdzik also brings an international flavor to DeKalb, as the Poland native competed for the Polish Junior National Tennis Team from 1989-97.

Gajdzik replaces Pontus Hiort who resigned in May to pursue other career opportunities.

NIU returns five letterwinners for the 2008-09 campaign, including 2008 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, Brian Livingston (Skokie, Ill./Niles North).  

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