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Date: 6/11/2015
SPRINGFIELD – Men’s tennis captain PJ Nassar walked confidently onto the stage at the Alumni Healthful Living Center on May 16, during the Western New England University Commencement.
With a beaming smile, he received his diploma from College of Business Dean Julie Siciliano, thanked her, shook hands with University president Anthony S. Caprio, and just like that, one of the most impressive undergraduate careers in Golden Bears athletics came to wonderful conclusion.
If anyone had a complete student-athlete experience, it was Nassar who earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. He compiled a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade-point-average in his major (3.91 overall) and was selected both the school’s Graduate of the Year and College of Business Outstanding Full-time Student in Accounting.
The pride of Longmeadow, arrived at Western New England in the fall of 2011 going a million miles an hour, and hasn’t slowed down since then.
Nassar quickly stepped into a starting role in doubles competition and gradually worked his way to the number one position this past season. He finished his career with a 29-29 record and was selected to the All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Team with junior Andres Otero in April.
Nassar was voted the 2015 CCC Men’s Tennis Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year and named the recipient of the Western New England NCAA CHAMPS Life Skills Award of Excellence.
He will receive his fourth Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete award and third CCC Academic Team honor in June. For the past two years, Nassar served as the president of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Last year Nassar was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.
While at Western New England, Nassar served as a Life Skills mentor for first-year students to help their transition to college. He received the WNE Coaches Award for contributions to the Golden Bears men’s tennis program this spring and was the recipient of the school’s Dean Richard DiRuzza Male Emerging Leader Award as a sophomore. Nassar also was a four-year President’s List honoree.
Four years certainly flies by fast for seniors when graduation rolls around and looking back on Nassar’s time at Western New England, it’s pretty amazing that he accomplished so much in such a relatively short period of time.
What makes Nassar’s story even more remarkable is that he has been battling diabetes since he was in second grade.
“I was very close to dying while going through my ketoacidosis, I lost over half of my body weight in a week. I have been fortunate to have great control over the disease since then and have been able to continue playing tennis while keeping the disease manageable,” he stated.
Nassar’s remarkable drive and determination has earned him the respect of many, including the entire Golden Bears coaching staff.
“It has been my pleasure to have interacted with PJ over these past four years,” Western New England athletics director Mike Theulen said. “Mature beyond his years, he very quickly became an impact leader for our Golden Bear Family and for our University.
“PJ embodies the student-athlete leader ideal. He excelled in the classroom, on the courts, and in his role as captain, as well as the many other leadership positions that he assumed here. His legacy within our SAAC will NEVER be forgotten while his obvious talents and world view assure his future success as he moves away from us. I am very proud of PJ,” he continued.
“I would say that PJ is one of the most integrity driven, hardworking, motivated players that I have ever known. The care he shows for his teammates, his campus, and community is immeasurable,” said Western New England men’s tennis coach Jennifer Kolins. “In balancing these accomplishments, PJ battles severe diabetes and uses his struggle as a tool to teach others not just about the disease, but about overcoming obstacles in life, and staying positive and adhering to your core values no matter what life my bring.”
Like all the student-athletes at Western New England, Nassar has participated in numerous community service projects and volunteered his time on various committees. He also was a Student Supervisor for the Annual Fund Phonation and the recipient of the Grand Skookum Award presented by the Alumni Association.
Nassar knew a lot about Western New England as a youngster. He starred on the boys’ tennis team at nearby Longmeadow High School helping the Lancers capture their 14th straight Western Massachusetts crown by winning the first doubles title with Tom Nilsson.