Patrick Clark Takes Over William Smith Tennis
Patrick Clark, who joined Hobart and William Smith tennis as a volunteer assistant coach in 2025, has been named head coach of the William Smith tennis program, HWS Director of Athletics Brian Miller announced Wednesday.
Clark steps into the role following the departure of Emme Levenson, who resigned after a single season to take the head coaching job at Washington and Lee. During the fall interim period, Hobart head coach Tim Riskie led the Herons.
“We’re thrilled to introduce Patrick as the next head coach of William Smith tennis,” said Liz Dennison, deputy athletic director. “He brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to leadership, a clear vision for the future of our program and a strong understanding of what it takes to empower our student-athletes to thrive.”
Decade of Collegiate Coaching Experience
Clark brings more than 10 years of collegiate coaching experience to Geneva. Before joining HWS, he spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach for the men’s tennis team at his alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College.
During his tenure, he helped the Gusties capture nine Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and secure nine NCAA tournament bids. His teams advanced to the NCAA round of 16 seven times and reached the national quarterfinals twice, mentoring 14 All-Americans and three individual national champions along the way.
Clark also spent one season as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s tennis programs at Elmhurst University, where the men’s team captured both the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin regular-season and tournament titles.
Student-Athlete Career at Gustavus Adolphus
As a collegiate competitor, Clark was a three-time All-MIAC selection. Playing primarily at the No. 2 position in both singles and doubles, he compiled a 55-25 record in singles and a 49-33 mark in doubles.
He helped lead Gustavus Adolphus to three MIAC titles and three NCAA tournament bids, highlighted by a national quarterfinal run in 2009. Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the institution in 2012, later completing a master’s degree in social work at Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2020.
Adopting the Three Crowns Philosophy
“I’m honored and excited to be the next head coach of William Smith tennis,” Clark said. He credited his foundational coaching philosophy to legendary mentors Steve Wilkinson and Tommy Valentini.
“Throughout my career as a player and coach, I learned from legendary coaches Steve Wilkinson and Tommy Valentini who instilled how to control the controllables of the ‘Three Crowns,’ hard work, positive attitude and sportsmanship,” Clark said. “I’m going to bring this same philosophy to the Herons.”
Clark Starts Nov. 2 with Dual Coaching Roles
Clark’s official start date is set for Nov. 2. Alongside his head coaching duties for the William Smith women’s program, he will also serve as an assistant coach for Hobart tennis.