Ian Crookenden returned to Hawk Hill as the interim head coach of the Saint Joseph's women's tennis program on July 6, 2023.
A two-time national collegiate champion, a highly successful professional player, and a talented coach, Crookenden previously spent 15 seasons as the head coach of the Hawk women's team. He also served as the Hawks' Director of Tennis after spending 13 seasons heading up the men's program as well.
Coming to Hawk Hill in August of 2008, Crookenden quickly transformed Saint Joseph's tennis into one of the up-and-coming programs in the region. He has switched the focus of SJU's schedules to a year-round format, adding several invitationals and the ITA Regionals to the slate. In addition to the scheduling upgrade, Crookenden also helped spearhead the design and construction of the SJU Tennis Complex at the Maguire Campus and began the now-annual men's and women's Saint Joseph's Invitationals.
During his tenure at SJU, he mentored standouts on both squads. Amanda Nava was named to the Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis All-Conference Team on three occasions, joining two other Crookenden charges – the program's all-time wins leader, Aurora Davis '15, and Casey Robinson '13 – as the only women's tennis Hawks to earn multiple Atlantic 10 First Team nods. She also added a Second Team accolade to become the only student-athlete in program history to be named to the All-Conference Team four times. Nava also captured two gold medals and a silver representing Mexico at the XIV Pan American Maccabi Games in 2019.
On the men's side, Crookenden guided Alex Veronis '13 to three consecutive Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis All-Conference Second Team honors, while Andre Fick '19 nabbed a pair of Second Team honors during his time on Hawk Hill as well. Current senior Nathan Perrone earned First Team honors in 2019 before going on to win the SJU Invitational First Singles Flight championship and reaching the fourth round at the ITA Regional Championships later that year.
In addition, the Hawks have been a fixture on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's annual All-Academic Team honors list, with numerous men's and women's tennis student-athletes earning ITA Scholar-Athlete status as well as Atlantic 10 All-Academic and Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area accolades during Crookenden's time on Hawk Hill.
One of the top players in the illustrious history of UCLA tennis, Crookenden was a standout for the Bruins from 1965-67, helping the Bruins to the NCAA title in 1965 and second place in 1966 and 1967.
As a rookie, Crookenden made a major impact with his new team, helping UCLA to an 11-0 overall record and the national championship. Teaming with the legendary Arthur Ashe, the pair claimed the fifth NCAA Doubles title in program history.
The following season, Crookenden became just the second player in UCLA history to claim two NCAA Doubles titles. Teaming with Charlie Pasarell, the duo earned the sixth national doubles title for the Bruins. Serving as captain in 1967, Crookenden earned his third straight All-American accolade, helping UCLA to a 12-2 mark and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships.
Following his collegiate career, the New Zealand native excelled as a profesional player, competing at the sport's highest levels: Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open. Crookenden was also twice selected to the New Zealand Davis Cup team.
Crookenden returned to the collegiate game in 1984 as head men's tennis coach and indoor tennis club director at Wake Forest University. Coaching in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference, Crookenden posted 160 victories and helped nine players earn All-ACC honors from 1984 to 1996.
In 1988, Crookenden earned a first in Wake Forest program history as he coached the doubles pair of Christian Dallwitz and Mark Greenan to All-America honors. After guiding the two to the ACC No. 1 Doubles Flight title, Crookenden lent his playing experience to the duo as they upset the field and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships.
Adding to his stellar coaching streak, Crookenden's ability to recruit on an international level shined in 1990 as Frenchman Gilles Ameline became the first Demon Deacon to compete in the NCAA Singles Championships and earn All-America honors for singles competitions.
Stepping away from the collegiate game following the 1996 season, Crookenden took over as director of tennis at the Philadelphia Cricket Club from 1997 until August 2008. While there, he ran both the boys and girls' International Junior Grass Court Championships.
An active member of the United States Tennis Association and the United States Professional Tennis Association, Crookenden was recognized for his collegiate accomplishments in 1997 as he was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame. A contributing author of two guides published by the USPTA, he currently resides in Blue Bell, Pa., with his wife Dianne.
