Alumni Corner: Larry Omlin (1983-85)

Portland men's tennis head coach Aaron Gross will be reaching out to alumni of the program with a running question-and-answer feature for PortlandPilots.com throughout the summer. Coach Gross recently caught up with Larry Omlin (1983-85), who graduated with a Business Management degree from Portland.

"Larry mentioned in his interview that we used to compete against each other when we were younger," Gross said. "Larry was a bit older and much wiser than me when we used to play. He was the epitome of the word 'grinder' and that is one of the most endearing adjectives a tennis player can have. He had an amazing backhand that I still remember trying to avoid at all costs when I rushed the net. It is clear from Larry's interview how much his teammates meant to him. Though the game of tennis has changed (technology, spins, speed), college tennis has changed (scoring systems, international players), and the University of Portland has changed – it makes me feel good that Larry still feels a bond to the program. There have been so many great players that have come through the university – from both the LaPlante era and my era as coaches. I am hopeful that the wisdom passed down from the Larry Omlin's, Kevin Jones', and Colby Jagers' of the world – with many more to come – will help make a difference in how our current student-athletes view the opportunity they have to be part of a great tradition and embrace the short time they have here."
 

What would you like people to know about your family at this point in your life?

I have been married to my wife Cathy for 26 years and we have lived in the Seattle suburb of Sammamish for the whole time. Cathy has been a blessing to me as she keeps me and the family in line! We have two boys, Blake and Mark. Blake is going to be a junior at Clemson University in South Carolina majoring in Civil Engineering and LOVES basketball, which he played at the varsity level at Skyline High School. Mark is going to be a freshman at Issaquah High School and is an avid bass fisherman and competes in tournaments on a state level.


What is your current occupation?

I am currently a Senior Account Executive for Standard Register, a national document management company based in Dayton, Ohio. I have been working for the same organization (through acquisitions) for 26 years.


What is your fondest tennis memory at UP?

My fondest memories are of our road trips during spring break driving down to Northern California, playing against colleges along the way. Our team was always very close and we tended to make every trip a new adventure! I also loved playing against our in-state rival, University of Oregon as the competition was always heated…but we never lost!
 
 
What is your fondest memory about UP in general?

My team, period. We had the best times together and some of my teammates are still my best friends today.
 
 
What do you miss most about your college tennis experience?

I miss the competitiveness that is created by playing an individual sport in a team environment.  I miss the playing at the level of tennis that I once did and I miss being part of a special group of athletes who loved the game and loved to laugh.
 

If you could give advice to an 18-year-old entering the University of Portland as a tennis player now, what would it be?
 
Work hard and don't back off until you are done with your senior season so you never look back with any regrets on how you prepared to compete at YOUR highest levels. Always respect your school, your coach, your teammates, your opponents and most importantly, yourself.
 

Are there aspects of your professional life that your experiences as a Division I athlete differentiate you? Maybe give you an advantage over someone who didn't compete at that level as an athlete?
 
I have been in sales since I graduated from college. The experience that I had competing at the Division I level prepared me for the journey that I have been on in my professional life as it trained me and prepared me on how to compete (with success and failure) at the highest level in my current occupation. I attribute much of my success (receiving awards of the highest levels) to what I learned competing in college sports.


Any final thoughts?

I am proud to be an alumnus of University of Portland and of the tennis team! I played against (and practiced with) Coach Gross when he was a teenager and we had many great battles…. (which I won). J

It is great to see how he has put together such a successful program with national recognition. Being awarded WCC Coach of the Year is well deserved!