LOCAL NOTES : UCI Tennis Standout Stern Will Transfer
Brett Stern, a UC Irvine tennis player who won Big West Conference singles titles as a freshman and sophomore, is transferring to the University of Florida, Irvine Coach Greg Patton said Wednesday.
Patton, who has announced his resignation and will coach at Boise State next season, said Stern was considering leaving before he made his decision. “He was missing home,” Patton said. “The decision I made was icing on the cake. He was unhappy living in California so far from his family.”
Stern won the Big West title at No. 2 singles this year, finishing with an 11-18 record. Last year as a freshman, he had a 16-9 record and won the No. 5 singles title.
“It hurts; he’s such a positive influence,” Patton said. “He left tons of sweat, blood, skin and scabs all over the court. He left his mark here. It’s a loss to the program.”
Irvine granted Stern a release from his commitment to the school, allowing him to compete at Florida next year as a junior without redshirting.
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