Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers for Life
5/11/2018 10:01:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Senior Raheel Manji remembers joining the Indiana men's tennis team at the age of 17. He remembers IU head Coach Jeremy Wurtzman calling out the lineup and after he announced the No. 6, No. 5 and No. 4 singles position, Manji accepted he would be on the sidelines and cheer on his teammates.
Wurtzman then shocked Manji by calling out his name at the No. 3 singles position.
It was that belief by the coach that started a special player-coach relationship and fast forward four years, Manji and fellow senior Keivon Tabrizi have helped build Indiana men's tennis into a strong program.
Now, Manji and Tabrizi are about to embark on careers in professional tennis, a goal they have had from a young age.
***
Indiana head coach Jeremy Wurtzman became the 15th head coach in the history of Indiana men's tennis on Dec. 10, 2014.
Wurtzman, an All-American at Ohio State, who enjoyed a successful profession playing career on the ATP World Tour, brought a culture of togetherness to the Indiana program.
"He always brings people together," Manji said. "He makes you feel so connected with the team and guys you spend every day with. He has a unique ability to bring teammates together. In any sport that is tough to do. He has a way to make people care about each other and that starts with him. He cares so deeply about every one of us. He cares about us outside of tennis and is interested in our development as people."
"It is being great teammates and being there for each other," Tabrizi added. "Being behind each other. We got along so well. That was huge for us. We have each other's backs and believe in each other. We trust each other and we are very connected as a team."
Tabrizi transferred from Wake Forest and quickly found a home and a support system in Bloomington.
Tabrizi said the coaching staff was the main reason he came to Indiana and felt Coach Wurtzman, especially with his playing experience, could help Tabrizi get to his goal of professional tennis.
Manji, a native of Pickering, Ontario, Canada, initially thought he would go straight from junior tennis to professional tennis.
A hip injury and the influence of a coach led the rising star to Indiana, where he has made a great impact on the IU men's tennis program.
Going back to the player-coach relationship with Wurtzman, Manji tries to put it into words.
"He is like family to me," Manji said. "One of most impactful people in my life. We have a very close bond and relationship. We have been through a lot together and it's hard to put our relationship into words. He has helped me and believed in me since the beginning and through adversity. We trusted each other and as a result him investing time and energy, he gave me the career I have."
Manji started in the No. 3 position in his freshman year and has improved into being in the No. 1 position this past year and a leader for the team.
A couple years ago, the Indiana men's and women's tennis programs put together an alumni event and had over 75 alumni return to Bloomington. Manji spoke at the reception and said he was touched with how many alumni came up to him after, and told him the pride they had in the program and school.
If you watch Raheel play you can tell he is passionate about the game he loves. He is also passionate about the relationships and bonds he has forged with his coaches and teammates.
"Playing here has been so personal," Manji said. I have taken the team and success so personal and to my heart. It has made me so passionate about this program. I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to represent this great university and team, which has given me everything."
***
Manji and Tabrizi agree they will be Hoosiers for Life and look forward to continuing to follow the program in the future.
The pair studied sport management at Indiana and talked about potentially getting into coaching down the road.
Manji and Tabrizi will leave Bloomington to pursue professional tennis, but hope to eventually return to complete their degrees.
In 2014, Indiana Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass announced a groundbreaking Athlete Bill of Rights. A first-of-its-kind document, it sets forth the University's commitment to student-athletes during their time at IU and beyond.
A central feature of the Bill of Rights is the Lifetime Degree Guarantee. Under the "Hoosiers for Life" program, Indiana University will pay the tuition (plus books and fees) for an IU undergraduate degree for any scholarship student-athlete who leaves school early to tend to a family emergency, pursue a professional athletics career, or for any other reason.
The program is open to any former student-athlete who was eligible for at least two seasons, left IU in good standing, did not transfer, and is readmitted under university rules.
"It shows a great commitment by Indiana University," Tabrizi said. "IU has been very supportive of my goals and dreams. This Hoosier for Life program is one of the reasons I came to Indiana."
"To have that option is incredible," Manji said. "That shows the character of this institution to give that opportunity. It is very unique and comforting to have that support."
Through all the ups and down, injuries and successes, Manji is grateful to his coaches and teammates and looks forward to the future of the program.
"The future is incredibly bright for this program." Manji said. "Coach Wurtzman is such a caring and passionate coach and I feel he will continue to bring great success to this program."
Wurtzman then shocked Manji by calling out his name at the No. 3 singles position.
It was that belief by the coach that started a special player-coach relationship and fast forward four years, Manji and fellow senior Keivon Tabrizi have helped build Indiana men's tennis into a strong program.
Now, Manji and Tabrizi are about to embark on careers in professional tennis, a goal they have had from a young age.
***
Indiana head coach Jeremy Wurtzman became the 15th head coach in the history of Indiana men's tennis on Dec. 10, 2014.
Wurtzman, an All-American at Ohio State, who enjoyed a successful profession playing career on the ATP World Tour, brought a culture of togetherness to the Indiana program.
"He always brings people together," Manji said. "He makes you feel so connected with the team and guys you spend every day with. He has a unique ability to bring teammates together. In any sport that is tough to do. He has a way to make people care about each other and that starts with him. He cares so deeply about every one of us. He cares about us outside of tennis and is interested in our development as people."
"It is being great teammates and being there for each other," Tabrizi added. "Being behind each other. We got along so well. That was huge for us. We have each other's backs and believe in each other. We trust each other and we are very connected as a team."
Tabrizi transferred from Wake Forest and quickly found a home and a support system in Bloomington.
Tabrizi said the coaching staff was the main reason he came to Indiana and felt Coach Wurtzman, especially with his playing experience, could help Tabrizi get to his goal of professional tennis.
Manji, a native of Pickering, Ontario, Canada, initially thought he would go straight from junior tennis to professional tennis.
A hip injury and the influence of a coach led the rising star to Indiana, where he has made a great impact on the IU men's tennis program.
Going back to the player-coach relationship with Wurtzman, Manji tries to put it into words.
"He is like family to me," Manji said. "One of most impactful people in my life. We have a very close bond and relationship. We have been through a lot together and it's hard to put our relationship into words. He has helped me and believed in me since the beginning and through adversity. We trusted each other and as a result him investing time and energy, he gave me the career I have."
Manji started in the No. 3 position in his freshman year and has improved into being in the No. 1 position this past year and a leader for the team.
A couple years ago, the Indiana men's and women's tennis programs put together an alumni event and had over 75 alumni return to Bloomington. Manji spoke at the reception and said he was touched with how many alumni came up to him after, and told him the pride they had in the program and school.
If you watch Raheel play you can tell he is passionate about the game he loves. He is also passionate about the relationships and bonds he has forged with his coaches and teammates.
"Playing here has been so personal," Manji said. I have taken the team and success so personal and to my heart. It has made me so passionate about this program. I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to represent this great university and team, which has given me everything."
***
Manji and Tabrizi agree they will be Hoosiers for Life and look forward to continuing to follow the program in the future.
The pair studied sport management at Indiana and talked about potentially getting into coaching down the road.
Manji and Tabrizi will leave Bloomington to pursue professional tennis, but hope to eventually return to complete their degrees.
In 2014, Indiana Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass announced a groundbreaking Athlete Bill of Rights. A first-of-its-kind document, it sets forth the University's commitment to student-athletes during their time at IU and beyond.
A central feature of the Bill of Rights is the Lifetime Degree Guarantee. Under the "Hoosiers for Life" program, Indiana University will pay the tuition (plus books and fees) for an IU undergraduate degree for any scholarship student-athlete who leaves school early to tend to a family emergency, pursue a professional athletics career, or for any other reason.
The program is open to any former student-athlete who was eligible for at least two seasons, left IU in good standing, did not transfer, and is readmitted under university rules.
"It shows a great commitment by Indiana University," Tabrizi said. "IU has been very supportive of my goals and dreams. This Hoosier for Life program is one of the reasons I came to Indiana."
"To have that option is incredible," Manji said. "That shows the character of this institution to give that opportunity. It is very unique and comforting to have that support."
Through all the ups and down, injuries and successes, Manji is grateful to his coaches and teammates and looks forward to the future of the program.
"The future is incredibly bright for this program." Manji said. "Coach Wurtzman is such a caring and passionate coach and I feel he will continue to bring great success to this program."
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16