Salem State Athletic Director Nicolle Wood announced Thursday that former Salem State men’s tennis player and assistant coach Chen Chen ’19, has been promoted to the position of head coach.
“Chen was a well accomplished student-athlete and leader while at SSU, and as an assistant coach, he has done a great job with the team since former head coach Kenny Hodgkins stepped down last spring,” said Wood. “Chen’s work ethic and Viking pride, combined with his knowledge and passion for the game makes him a great fit for our program.”
Chen is a former four-year member and two-time captain of the Salem State men’s tennis team. He earned first and second team All-Little East Conference honors three separate times during his career. Chen captained Salem State to just their second Little East Conference Tournament Championship and fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. His 29 doubles wins currently rank second all-time in program history. A Dean’s List member, he was a three-time All-Little East All-Academic selection and three-time National Scholar Athlete Day Award winner. He was inducted into the National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society in 2019. Prior to becoming head coach in 2020, Chen spent a year as an assistant coach for the Vikings during the 2019-20 season.
“It is very exciting to be the head coach of the Salem State men’s tennis team,” said Chen. “I have inherited a group of accomplished and very talented student-athletes. I would like to thank Athletic Director Nicolle Wood for the opportunity, and promise to bring a high level of competitiveness to the program. I will work hard to help our players improve and remain focused on attaining our team goal of winning a Little East Championship.”
Chen is an accounts payable specialist at Eastport Real Estate Service and currently resides in Lawrence.
In a separate announcement on Thursday, Wood announced that Salem State assistant women’s basketball coach Ashley White ’14 has been promoted to the position of interim head coach for the 2020-21 season.
“Ashley has been part of our women’s basketball program as a student-athlete, loyal alumni, and assistant coach,” said Wood. “She has stepped up over the past six months to help the team navigate the challenges of the current pandemic and has demonstrated leadership skills that are critical for this position. Ashley’s knowledge of the game and coaching style are respected by the players and she is a great role model for them as they continue to grow as a team and compete within the MASCAC. With the continued support of assistant coach Ashlyn Babb I am confident in the positive direction the program will go this year.”
White is a former three-year member of the Salem State basketball team. She was a two-year starter, leading the team in three-point field goal percentage and assists during her season senior. Prior to Salem State, White was an assistant at Salem High School.
“I am grateful to be named the interim head women’s basketball coach at Salem State University,” said White. “Returning to coach the Vikings has always been a dream of mine. I am thankful for Athletic Director Nicolle Wood for trusting me to lead the women’s basketball program. Basketball at Salem State has come full circle for me. I had a great experience as a student-athlete and now being the coach, I can ensure the same for my players.”
White graduated in 2014 with a degree in Sports and Movement Science and is currently a financial planner at Northwestern Mutual.