PUEBLO, Colo. – Colorado State University Pueblo Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Paul Plinske has named Chris Roman as the school's new head women's tennis coach.
 
Roman, who played tennis for the ThunderWolves in the late 1980's, spent the 2023 fall season as an assistant coach with the ThunderWolves on former coach Beau Fresquez's staff. Fresquez recently stepped down as the Pack coach after spending the past three-plus seasons directing the Pack women's tennis program.
 
"We are very excited to have Chris return to CSU Pueblo to lead our women's tennis program. The timing of his availability is perfect for us. He has outstanding knowledge and passion for the game of tennis," Dr. Plinske said. "As a former collegiate tennis player, he can provide first-hand insight to our tennis players. I look forward to watching him elevate our program and carry it forward."
 
Roman has spent the past 11 years as a tennis professional at the Pueblo Tennis Center in Pueblo, Colo. In that position with the Pueblo Tennis Center, Roman taught private and group lessons for adults and juniors. In addition, he worked with several USTA league teams and coached several junior players to individual high school Regional titles and Top 3 finishes at the Colorado State High School State Championships.
 
Along with working as a tennis professional at the Pueblo Tennis Center, Roman spent 24 years working as a recreation specialist with the Federal Correctional Institute in Florence, Colo., which is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates. Roman retired from the federal prison system at the start of the 2024 calendar year.
 
"It's an honor to be given the opportunity to lead the Pack women's tennis program. We have a great base of athletes and I'm excited to see them compete this spring," Roman said. "I look forward to working with the university to build an exciting and successful program."
 
Prior to working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Roman nearly 20 months (1999-2000) working as tennis professional at Westowne Tennis Club in Toledo, Ohio. In his time at Westowne Tennis Club, Roman helped double the participation in leagues and clinics and helped secure two national qualifying tournaments.
 
Roman also served as a tennis professional at both the Oak Knoll County Club in Hammond, La., from 1993-94 and at the Broadmoor Hotel & Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., from 1991-93.
 
Prior to working at both the Oak Knoll Country Club and the Broadmoor Hotel & Resort, Roman spent five years (1995-99) serving as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist with the United States Air Force at Fort Campbell, Kent.
 
Roman, who is a certified USPTA Tennis teaching professional since 1992 and is also a certified NFPT personal trainer since 2009, was a four-year lettermen in tennis with the ThunderWolves in the late 1980's. He was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) champion at No. 6 singles as a freshman and he played No. 1 singles and doubles as a senior. He helped lead the Pack to two NAIA National Tournament appearances.
 
He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from University of Southern Colorado in May of 1991.
 
The Pack women's tennis team, who are scheduled to play 10 matches this spring, will open its spring schedule on March 8 at the Pueblo City Park Tennis Complex against Fort Hays State.
 
TRANSACTIONS: CSU Pueblo names Chris Roman as the school's new head women's tennis coach