Nov. 23, 2010

FORT WORTH - TCU men's tennis head coach David Roditi announced the signing of Nick Chappell to a national letter of intent Tuesday.

"We are very excited to have Nick join the TCU tennis family," Roditi said. "Nick's work ethic and passion for the game will allow him to make an immediate positive impact in our program. We are eager to help Nick develop his tennis so he can achieve his lofty goals"

A product of Indianapolis Ind., Chappell will arrive at TCU as one of the top junior players in the country. He has competed in all four junior Grand Slams, reaching the second round of the French Open. Chappell has reached as high as No. 3 in the USTA boys 18 national rankings this year and No. 26 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings. His achievements include a doubles title at Kalamazoo in 2009, while reaching the singles finals and also taking the doubles crown at the 2010 Easter Bowl.

After helping to lead North Central High School to a team title in 2007, the 5-10 southpaw claimed the 2008 Indiana singles state championship as a sophomore, posting a perfect 25-0 record. He became the first North Central boy's tennis player to capture an individual title for the Panthers since 1998-99. In addition, Chappell's victory was North Central's sixth state boys singles tennis title, the most of any school since the tournament began in 1967-68. In two seasons of high school tennis, Chappell recorded an overall record of 45-2.

At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Chappell transferred to Indiana University High School, a distance learning online curriculum to allow him the opportunity to travel and play in more tournaments during the school year. He has worked with private coach Hector Clavijo at the Indianapolis Racquet Club for about nine years.


Chappell will join his older brother, Paul, who will compete as a redshirt junior for the Frogs this spring.