Santen joined the University of Charleston Athletic Department as Head Men's Tennis Coach prior to the 2006-07 season and is currently serving as a Volunteer assistant for both the Men's and Women's programs.
His Golden Eagle teams have won over 150 matches during his 14 seasons and have qualified for six NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Tournaments. Twice under his direction the Golden Eagles have won MEC regular season championships (2014 & 2016). Santen was named Coach of the Year following the 2013 season and has helped guide to MEC Players of the Year in Matt Sherba (2014) and Alec Foote (2016). Santen has also coach two tennis All-Americans, Ben Lakeman (2020) and Joao Tayar (2020) as well as an Academic All-American (Jason Prince 2020).Â
Santen is a 1990 graduate of Connecticut College. He played four years of varsity tennis team and twice earned awards of Most Improved Player and once earned the award of Unsung Hero. He captained the team that was ranked 17th nationally his senior year.
In addition to coaching, Matt pastors River Ridge Church. His wife Stacy is a teacher and they have four children Emily, Riley, Will and Ben. Matt continues to play competitive tennis in the Charleston area.
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