By Nate Bloomquist
Eric Perez, 24 of Peru, has been named the new men’s tennis coach at IVCC. Perez is an area native.
While he attended IVCC in 1995 and `96, he played tennis for then coach Bob Mueller. He transferred to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in the years following.
Athletic director Mike Riley said, "I’m happy to have someone back from the area, who had played here and knows the tradition of Illinois Valley tennis."
Perez, who also works as a financial planner, said he always has wanted to coach.
He played tennis at LaSalle-Peru Township High School for three years under Chips Giovanine. He also has taught tennis lessons for the Peru Park District.
His tennis team will include returnees Scott Grabowski from L-P, Travis Klein and Nathan Tolley from Mendota, Ottawa’s Ryan Myers, and Nathan Holmes of Princeton. Miguel Gonzalez, a player from Venezuela may also join the team.