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James Ham ’20

The Rye, NY native is a standout tennis player.

Men’s Tennis | Liberal Studies Major | Spanish Minor



Q. How old were you when you began playing your sport? Any special memories you would like to share?

A. I first started playing tennis at age eight. I remember going out to the courts with my mom to hit when I was just starting out.


Q. What made you choose Purchase College?

A. I was unsure of what I wanted to do so I chose Purchase for its many possible options. I was recruited by former head coach Peter Nestel.


Q. What year did you start playing your sport/s at Purchase?

A. I started playing right off the bat freshman year. (2016-17)


Q. Highlights from your career? Awards/accolades received at Purchase?

A. My first year (2017), I won the team’s co-rookie of the year along with Isaac Jones after only dropping one singles match the whole season. My second year, at #2 singles, I made the Skyline Conference honor roll and was named to the All-Conference Second Team. My junior year, I was named to the Skyline honor roll.

*James went 9-1 overall in singles his freshman year (2017). He also went undefeated (3-0) at No. 4 singles in 2019.


Q. What is your most memorable moment as a Panther?

A. Freshman year making it to the Skyline Conference finals and getting so close to pulling off the championship win. It was difficult that first year on court for me (personality wise) but that was a special moment for sure.


Q. What is the best advice a coach at Purchase gave you?

A. Coach Jordan Snider has inspired me to better myself in all aspects. I worked hard to improve my temperament and mentality on the court (which is huge in tennis) and worked on my physical fitness; striving to become faster and increase stamina.


Q. What is the most difficult part about being a student-athlete?

A. The balance of classes and homework along with practices, matches and in my case, a job. Teaching tennis at a local club was always a challenge. That being said, I was so passionate about the team and tennis in general that I made it work to the best of my ability.


Q. What motivates you to succeed both on and off the court?

A. I would say my straight-up passion for the sport has driven my success on the court. My family has always been supportive and have greatly motivated me to better myself as a person in general. I love them all so much!


Q. What is your Senior Project?

A. My senior project is very much sports related. I studied the challenges of gay males from amateur all the way to professional sports. This topic was super personal for me because I am an open gay male athlete.


Q. How has your Senior Project been impacted by COVID-19?

A. Luckily, I finished the project in my first semester of senior year so the Coronavirus had no effect on it.


Q. What does post-graduation life look like for you? (travel, work, grad school, etc.)

A. I plan to continue to teach tennis and take on admin roles at my current club. Tennis is my biggest passion and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.


Q. What advice would you give to incoming freshman about being a student-athlete at Purchase College?

A. I would say definitely focus on your classwork first and try to find the right balance, schedule wise. Your off-season is the time to load up the credits and when you’re in season you want less of a load.


Q. What will you miss most about Purchase College?

A. In all honesty, the one thing I will miss the most at Purchase is my team. I always looked forward to playing the sport I love with a great group of guys who were also passionate about it. I’ll miss my friends who I started this journey with freshman year: Austin Schmitt and Isaac Jones. I’ll also miss Coach Jordan who has helped me greatly and of course the amazing assistant coach Greg Leonarczyk, who has been with me since day one and I can truly say has become a friend of mine for years to come.