Sharp coaching. Lighthearted humor. Spirited outfits. These are the hallmarks of longtime head tennis coach Andy Harader, who retired earlier this month after 28 years of leading the program at Palo Alto High School.
Loved by his players for his mentorship and dedication, Harader leaves behind a lasting legacy that shaped the school’s the varsity and JV tennis teams. As players reflect on his impact, the tennis team is preparing for a new chapter under head coach Andy Chang, who aims to build on Harader’s foundation while bringing his own approach to the program.
According to Harader, he retired on Feb. 7 for health reasons and he will miss teaching and seeing players improve.
“I retired because of health issues and my mind and body are slowing down,” Harader said. “What I will miss most is the rapport I have had with certain players. I have always been a teacher and to teach and coach [at] a venue I love has been rewarding.”
Harader said that he been proud of the team at many moments, especially after winning large competitions.
“My proudest moments are many,” Harader said. “However, in sports, a team is judged first by wins and losses, and then by all the particulars of team chemistry. In 2009, our boys team won the California High School Tennis Classic Boys Tennis Championships. First out of 124 teams; a real accomplishment. Also, we won Division 3 of this tournament twice over the years. As for the girls, we were CCS Doubles Champions twice. Janet Liu and Emma Marti early in the century and more recently Erin Li and Iris Li stand out: no sets lost, incredible performance, [and] the best of their four years on the girls squad; [they] beat the No. 1 team in NorCal.”
According to Jessica Bae, senior captain of the girls varsity tennis team, Harader was a key part of the team and she will miss his advice for being team captain.
“Having played under him for four years and working with him as captain for two of them, Coach Andy has been an integral part of our team,” Bae said. “Whether it be motivating us with Pinkberry gift cards or encouraging us to focus on just having fun during our matches, he always inspires us to make each match and point count. I’m grateful for all his guidance when helping me to navigate being captain and for all the support he has given me as a player. For me, his retirement is bittersweet. It’s hard to imagine the tennis team without him, but I know that he’s ready for whatever is next in his life. I wish him nothing but the best.”
Azad Muralidhara, sophomore boys varsity tennis player, said Harader has had a defining impact on the team by forming personal connections with each of his students.
“Andy was somewhat of a father figure to us all on this team, and his legacy and his coaching has really helped this program turn into what it is,” Muralidhara said. “He will forever be remembered by his disciples.”
Lucas Tung , junior boys varsity tennis player, said he and Harader have a close bond and is disappointed to see him go.
“Andy was a great friend of mine,” Tung said. “I think he’s been coaching for 20 plus years with Paly. … He’s a really inspirational person. His retirement really saddens me because he was so abrupt.”
Tung said he was looking forward to having Harader coach him for his senior year since he was an amazing person and coach.
“He’s been my coach since freshman year,” Tung said. “I was looking forward to having another season and also my senior year with Andy because he’s such a great guy. We’re [the tennis team is] really going to miss Coach Andy and hopefully he can stop by to see us for a few games.”
Sophomore girls varsity tennis player Tessa Berney said Harader has always supported the team and cheers them on with spirited outfits during their games.
“Coach Andy always brought lots of spirit to the team,” Berney said. “His neon pink outfit and shoes that matched was always an iconic game day fit. In the future, I think the team will miss having him on game days to cheer us on.”
According to Berney, she understands why Harader retired from his position as head coach and that she is grateful for all of the effort he has put into the girls varsity team.
“I know that Coach Andy has been with Paly tennis for quite some time, so I understand that at some point he would want to step back from the job,” Berney said. “I appreciate all the work and time he’s put into our varsity girls tennis team.”
According to Chang, Harader has changed the lives of many student athletes and ran a summer camp, which is something Chang is hoping to restart.
“In his 28 years of coaching at Paly, Coach Harader did so much for Paly’s tennis program and touched the lives of many student athletes, so I believe I speak for the community when I say that we greatly appreciate his contribution and will miss his wisdom,” Chang said. “Personally, I will fondly recall the time when we grabbed burgers and beer at Kirk’s when it was still at Town and Country, and he shared his tips about running a good summer tennis camp, which is something that I’m planning to restart at Paly with the players’ help.”
The varsity players are excited to be coached by Chang and experience a new coach. According to Muralidhara, Harader has created a solid foundation for the team and the varsity players are hopeful for a good season.
“He [Harader] has laid the foundation for us, and I think we’re going to be able to be better than last season,” Muralidhara said. “Coach Andy No. 2 is a really great motivator and I think that he will just help us carry out what’s already started.”
Despite Harader’s retirement, Bae said Chang is a spirited coach and that he will leave a lasting effect on the tennis teams.
“Coach Andy Chang has such a dynamic and vibrant personality and brings a positive energy to every practice and match,” Bae said. “He communicates well with players and their parents, always looking for ways to integrate tennis deeper into their lives. Last season, I saw how he introduced innovative drills and practice routines for the girls’ JV team that were both challenging and engaging. I’m confident that with his creativity and enthusiasm, he will be an outstanding head coach who will continue to push our team and leave a lasting impact.”
Chang said that the team will need time to adjust to their new coach and that they have been doing a great job so far.
“The team understandably will need time to adjust to my coaching style and program,” Chang said. “However, in the first two weeks, the team has adapted quickly and responded very positively to what I’m doing. The players feel good about the new program additions such as regular strength and conditioning and having clear individual paths to improvement, so morale is strong right now.”
According to Chang, the boys varsity tennis team will be playing in the challenging SCVAL De Anza Division this season.
“Even though we are moving up to the more competitive SCVAL De Anza Division this season, the positive momentum is preparing the team well to rise to the challenge and play fantastically,” Chang said.
David Fridshtand, sophomore boys varsity tennis player, said Chang is a good coach, but the team is disheartened by Harader’s retirement.
“We [the tennis team] have a new, good coach, but it could be bad for the first few weeks because everyone’s still sad because of him [Harader] leaving,” Fridshtand said.
