DANBURY, Conn. - Alex Aitchison has returned to coach the men's tennis program at Western Connecticut State University after retiring a year ago. He guided both the men's and women's programs beginning with the men in the spring of 2003.

During his first tenure, the Colonials men's program went 28-7 over four campaigns. The women netters went 12-20 from 2003 through 2005.

Former WestConn number one singles and doubles standout Stacy Slater took over the helm of the women's program last fall.

Aitchison originally came to Western Connecticut after a lengthy and legendary playing and coaching career.

He is the former Program Director and Teaching Professional at Beaver Brook Tennis Club in Danbury, Connecticut. Since 1987, Aitchison has been the President of Tennis Consultants International, a management and consulting service for tennis clubs, associations, organizations and individuals.

He was the Girls Tennis Coach at nearby Immaculate High School prior to his appointment at Beaver Brook Tennis Club.

In 2001, Aitchison was inducted into the Newtown (CT) Sports Hall of Fame. A year later, he was inducted into the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame. In 1992, the Eastern Tennis Association named him “Man of the Year”.

Aitchison’s outstanding playing career, which began in 1940, is highlighted with two Singles’ Championships from Ringwood Tennis Club in Australia in 1963 and 1964. He is also the holder of numerous tournament titles in Australia and the United States. He also competed in the Victorian Pennant.

The 1955 graduate of Melbourne University would go on to represent Australia in the Stevens Cup (men’s senior international team competition) for five years from 1980 to 1984.
Highlighting Aithison’s list of chairmanships and membership are: the U.S. Open Junior Championship Committee, the U.S.T.A. Circuit Regulations Committee, the U.S.T.A. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Junior Davis Cup Committee.

In 1977 he founded and remained Tournament Director until 1986, of the Rolex International Junior Tennis Championships on the International Tennis Federation circuit