Alex Kleppe, advertising senior, spent four years playing for the IUS Men’s Tennis Team, and, in accordance with National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic Eligibility rules, has to watch from the sidelines this year.
According to the NAIA Official Handbook, “a student may participate four seasons in one sport in 10 semesters.”
Kleppe joined the Grenadiers during his first semester at IU Southeast in 2005.
During his career at IU Southeast, Kleppe has played singles and doubles, although his preference is singles.
Even though Kleppe is ineligible to play this season, he said he still intends on rooting on his former teammates.
He said he hopes to attend all the home matches to show his support of the Grenadiers.
“This is the first time in school history that the team has the chance to make it to Nationals,” Kleppe said. “There is a good mix of new players and experienced players that really can do some good things.”
Kleppe said he is upset that he is not able to be part of this team.
“It really sucks not to be able to play this season,” he said.
Kleppe said he believes, with more recruiting and recognition, IUS Men’s Tennis could become a powerhouse program.
“The tennis team gets nearly no recognition,” Kleppe said. “If we had more money for recruiting, we would have a really great team.”
Kleppe said he has been playing tennis since he was 5 years old.
Kleppe was born in Oklahoma but moved to Venezuela with his family, where he lived for eight years.
During his time in Central America, Kleppe began playing tennis, soccer and track.
Kleppe is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in advertising in May, and he said he already has plans to put his degree to use after graduation.
“I plan to move to Miami Beach after graduation for hotel business,” Kleppe said. “I have already interviewed with Fountain View Resort, and, during spring break, I will be going down there for training, and, hopefully, it all goes well.”
Although Kleppe has a potential career lined up after graduation, he said he hasn’t completely ruled out tennis.
“If hotel business doesn’t work out, I would really like to coach tennis,” Kleppe said.
Kleppe began his college career as a marketing major but also majored in finance.
“I’ve spent six years in college,” Kleppe said. “I’m sort of a professional student now.”
Even though Kleppe’s tennis career at IU Southeast has come to an end, his professional career is just getting ready to begin.
By HANNA WOODS
Staff
hrwoods08@umail.iu.edu