Bentley University

The first tennis player to be enshrined in the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame, Tom Nolan starred for the college's men's tennis team from 1977-81.
 
Prior to Tom's arrival at Bentley, the program had struggled, recording seven straight losing seasons from 1970-77. With Tom playing a key role, the Falcons turned it around, compiling a four-year record of 40-34.
 
As a senior, he helped the team set school records for wins and winning percentage (10-3, .769) during the spring portion of the schedule. The Falcons also won the Assumption Invitational Doubles Tournament and finished eighth in the New Englands.
 
Tom was an integral part of the success while generally playing first singles and doubles. During his career, the Falmouth High School product was 31-27 in singles and 36-24 in doubles for an overall record of 67-51. In the spring of 1981, the Bentley co-captain was 9-6 in singles action and 11-5 in doubles.
 
As a sophomore, Nolan was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player after tying for the team-lead in total wins (14).
 
"Tom assumed the role of team leader during the fall of his freshman year, no small accomplishment. He earned this position not only by playing number one, but more significantly, by always giving more than 100 percent, both in matches and in practice." praised Larry Weiss, Bentley’s tennis coach from 1977-91. "His demands for greater effort from his teammates could never be rejoined by recollections of a time when Tom gave less than full effort."