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Lou Scerra Hired as Newark Academy’s Girls’ Tennis Coach
Newark Academy has hired long-time assistant coach Lou Scerra as its next girls’ varsity tennis coach, NA Athletic Director John Amosa announced.
“Coach Scerra epitomizes the standard of excellence for NA Athletics,” Amosa said. “His passion for the sport of tennis and his commitment to our individual players and as a team is an ideal match for the outstanding history and tradition of NA girls’ tennis.”
Selected to lead NA’s prestigious boys’ tennis program two years ago and taking them to new heights, Coach Scerra has been tabbed to do the same for the girls’ tennis program following a highly successful tenure as the program’s top assistant coach.
"I'm humbled and honored to lead the girls' team,” Scerra said. “I feel fortunate to be a part of the program's rich history and I can't wait to continue helping our players grow as student-athletes, leaders, and people."
Coach Scerra began his NA coaching career in 2007, serving until 2016 as the long-time and trusted assistant of legendary Head Coach Arky Crook. During his first tenure at Newark Academy, the NA tennis program was arguably the best in New Jersey, winning 14 state championships.
In the final season of his first term, Coach Scerra functioned as the interim head coach of boys’ tennis, leading the 2016 team to an undefeated record, a state No. 1 ranking and the Tournament of Champions crown. Last spring, Coach Scerra guided the boys’ tennis team to a 23-3 record and the No. 2 ranking in the state of New Jersey. The team won the Conference, County and State Championship before falling in the Tournament of Champions Final to No. 1 Montgomery. NA swept the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) individual singles and doubles championships for the first time in school history, with Alex Kotzen ’19 being named The Star-Ledger/NJ.com’s Player of the Year.
During his stint as assistant coach of boys’ and girls’ tennis, the programs captured 12 State Titles, four County Titles, three Super Essex Conference Championships and two Tournament of Champions titles.
As a player, Scerra was a two-year captain at Greenwich High School in Connecticut, leading the squad to a state championship as a senior.
“Coach Scerra was a great assistant coach who was supportive and encouraging and always there when we needed him. He is an integral part of this team and we are all excited that he will be the one to carry the team forward,” senior captain Julia Schwed said.
An independent school for students in grades 6-12