SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Reliving their glory days and reconnecting with old friends, several members of the Santa Clara men' tennis team, both past and present, gathered together on Saturday for an eventful alumni day celebration full of festivities.
"It was an awesome day," said current Bronco head coach Derek Mills. "Definitely a lot of nostalgia filled the air. It was great to see the guys come back together and have a blast like old times."
Spending the day's entirety together, the alumni and current Broncos kicked off the festivities where most of them spend most of their time at Santa Clara - on the courts. The Broncos laced up their sneakers, brushed off the dust, and ignited their competitive spirits in a fun-filled doubles tournament.
"It was great to get back out on the courts and play again," said Blane Shields, class of '08.
Following the action at the Degheri Tennis Center, those in attendance enjoyed a buffet lunch and spent their time reconnecting with former teammates and friends, one of the best parts about the festive day that many of the attendees enjoyed thoroughly.
"It is great to see everyone again," said Kevin McQuaid, class of '08. "We are all having a fun time together."
McQuaid's former teammate, Shields, also felt similar sentiments.
"I haven't seen some of these guys in some time but we picked up right where we left off," he said. "It's been nothing but a fun time."
No matter the difference in age, the Bronco tennis family has always featured a tight-knit group of competitors who not only consider themselves to be teammates but brothers as well.
"It's been great to come back," said Scott Ritchey, class of '82. "Even though it was sometimes tough competing against other teams on the courts, we always had a close knit team and that's something really special."
Playing 30 years after Ritchey, McQuaid also noted how impactful the friendships are that exist between Broncos, both past and present.
"The brotherhood has always been there," he said. "On or off the court, we have always enjoyed spending time together and hanging out."
No matter what the scoreboard read at the end of a match, former Broncos as well as dedicated supporters of the squad spoke highly of the people that come through Santa Clara and make men's tennis the program that it is.
"The people keep me coming back," said Jerry Lu, father of former Santa Clara men's tennis student-athlete David Lu. "It's nice to see my son keep in touch with his former teammates even after graduating."
Saturday's event was the second alumni day celebration in as many years and the program will look to make it a longstanding tradition moving forward.
"It's good that we have this alumni program," said Shields. "Coach Mills has done a wonderful job making sure we keep this family intact."
