In the world of collegiate sports, there are a special group of student athletes who have it all – talent, intelligence, character and perseverance. These unique individuals perform their particular craft in a highly spirited fashion, utilizing every skill and ounce of energy they possess for the good of the team.

Rodrigo “Rod” Mendez, an unselfish and gifted men’s tennis player for Suffolk University from 1992-95, was one of those student athletes. Filling the role at the number one position in both singles and doubles, Mendez, who hailed from Valparaiso, Chile, propelled Suffolk to three consecutive winning seasons, including a 10-2 record in 1995 as a senior and captain of the squad.

Described by head coach Rich Levenson as the “team catalyst,” Mendez finished his career as a complete two-handed player, combining a solid and consistent serve and baseline game with an aggressive and attacking net play.

His ability to overachieve carried over into the classroom, where by attending summer school, he was able to graduate in three years. His dad, Dr. Alberto Mendez, taught Spanish at Suffolk for 30 years and could be found leading the cheering section at many Rams’ sporting events. “A lesson that I learned from my father at a very young age was to learn to win as a champion and lose as a gentleman,” says Mendez.

In 1996, Mendez received his master’s degree from Suffolk and was an assistant coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams for two years. His instruction and encouragement helped the Lady Rams capture the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship in his first season.

Mendez is the head pro at Brookline Tennis, which is based out of Pine Manor College. He is also the Tennis Youth Coordinator at the South Shore YMCA in Hanover, and is considered one of the top teaching professionals in the New England area, with 22 years of experience instructing players of all ages and various abilities. Mendez lives in Halifax with his wife and their two children.

Watch Rodrigo Mendez' Induction Video Here