ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jacqueline Nicholson appointed Jake Fisler the new head coach for both the men's and women's tennis programs.
 
Fisler joins RIT after an impressive tenure at Alfred University, where he elevated both tennis programs to new heights. In just his second season, he guided the Saxons' men to a 14–6 record, which was the winningest season in program history as well as a 13-win improvement over the previous campaign, along with a berth in the Empire 8 Championship Finals. Four players earned All-Empire 8 honors under his leadership, including Rookie of the Year André López Jiménez, who set multiple program records in singles and doubles victories.
 
On the women's side, Fisler led Alfred to a 14–6 season, also a program record and an 11-win improvement over his first season, along with an appearance in the Empire 8 Tournament Semifinals. Five of his players landed All-Empire 8 honors while establishing new team benchmarks in singles and doubles wins.
 
"RIT is excited to welcome Jake as the next leader of our programs," said Nicholson. "His demonstrated ability to elevate competitive performance, strengthen team culture, and support student‑athlete development positions him exceptionally well to guide our programs into their next chapter. We are confident in his vision for the future of RIT Tennis and look forward to the positive direction and continued growth our teams will experience under his leadership."

Fisler previously served as Assistant Junior Director at Midtown Athletic Club in Rochester, overseeing day‑to‑day tennis operations, group and individual instruction, and tournament management.

"I am super excited about this opportunity and want to thank the athletics department for entrusting me to lead these programs," said Fisler. "I can't wait to get started on court and I look forward to building on all the previous success."
 
A native of nearby Webster, N.Y., Fisler was a standout student‑athlete at Houghton University, earning National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All‑American honors in 2019 along with four All‑Empire 8 citations while helping the Highlanders to the 2020–21 Empire 8 Championship. He also gained early coaching experience as a student assistant for Houghton's women's program, contributing to the team's first-ever Empire 8 Tournament appearance, before graduating with a degree in sport, recreation and wellness management in 2021.

Fisler is expected to begin his duties later this month, pending completion of RIT's standard pre‑employment screening process.