Ninteman Stepping In as New Bruin Men’s Tennis Coach

NEWBERG, Ore. – It was a not a long search, time-wise or distance-wise, for George Fox University director of athletics Craig Taylor to find Neal Ninteman, the new head coach for the Bruin men’s tennis program - if fact, it was only a short stroll across campus.

Ninteman, an assistant professor of engineering and mathematics at George Fox, will take over for Rick Cruz, who coached the men’s team for 11 seasons.  Cruz, who was responsible for both the men’s and women’s tennis programs, is cutting back on his tennis duties to devote more time to his business interests, but will continue to coach the Bruin women’s team.

Ninteman has high expectations for the Bruins, believing that tennis at George Fox can eventually become a premier program and one that will give young players “an experience you want to be a part of.  I love to teach the game and I love to motivate; I will be supportive but demanding in terms of a strong work ethic for our players.  There is massive potential here, especially if we can get some new tennis facilities that are in the works.”

“We are delighted and excited to have someone of Neal’s caliber and leadership in our tennis program,” said Taylor of Ninteman, who first expressed an interest in assisting with the tennis team to him over a year ago.  “He has a very rich competitive tennis background, an intensity and a ‘player’s perspective’ that will be assets to our program.  The fact that the players will have immediate on-campus access to him will also be an important piece.”

Ninteman’s tennis pedigree is indeed a storied one.  Growing up in the Los Angeles/San Diego area, he was introduced to the game at an early age and was once coached by the legendary Vic Braden.  He took tennis lessons alongside Tracy Austin, who went on to become one of the finest players in the history of women’s professional tennis.  He himself eventually became a highly-ranked junior in southern California.   

Ninteman also played football, basketball, and baseball at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, then went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo as a football player before switching to rugby.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1986, then completed his master’s in civil engineering at Stanford University in 1988. 

After two years with his father’s business, Ninteman Construction Company in San Diego, Ninteman joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ with the Athletics in Action basketball program, working and playing for AIA for three years.  From 1992-2000, he served with Crusade’s campus ministry program in Russia, where he met his wife Susan, who was also a Crusade staff member.  

Ninteman came to George Fox in 2000 and has taught engineering, math, and physics, developing a reputation as a challenging professor who stimulates and draws the best out of his students.  In 2007-08, he received the Faculty Achievement Award as Undergraduate Teacher of the Year.

The Nintemans reside in Sherwood, Ore., and have two boys: Nate, age 10, and Jack, age 8.  The family attends Southwest Hills Baptist Church in Tigard, Ore.