TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) director of athletics Jim Knowlton has announced the hiring of Jon Satkowski as the head men's tennis coach. He fills the vacancy left by former head coach Carol Pillsworth, who retired after 35 years of service at RPI.

“Being a first year coach brings on a lot of new and exciting challenges. I am thrilled to meet these challenges with the support of Dr. Jackson, Jim Knowlton and the rest of the administrative and supportive staff at RPI,” said Satkowski. “It is truly exciting to be a part of the transformation of the RPI athletic department and hopefully bring success both on and off the court for the student athletes.”

A native of Salisbury Mills, N.Y., Satkowski spent last season as an assistant coach with the Skidmore College men's tennis team. With the Thoroughbreds, he provided on-court coaching during matches and also helped plan and instruct during practice sessions. Additionally, Satkowski served as the program's primary recruiter, including live evaluations, tape evaluations and database management of prospective student-athletes.

Satkowski helped guide Skidmore into the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2010, as the team advanced to the Second Round before falling to the eventual National Champion, Middlebury. The squad also finished third at the Liberty League Tournament, and three student-athletes garnered year-end honors, including two who were named All-Conference in singles.

From 2005-09, Satkowski was an undergraduate at St. Lawrence University, where he was a four-year standout on the men's tennis team. Posting a combined career record of 150-42, he was a two-time captain and a four-year All-Liberty League First Team selection in singles for the Saints. The conference's Rookie of the Year in 2005-06, Satkowski also garnered All-Conference First Team in doubles in each of his four seasons.

Satkowski, who was an ITA Northeast Region Doubles finalist as a sophomore, was also a four-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at St. Lawrence. Additionally, he worked in the school's sports information department, helping the staff compile statistics for the Division I men's and women's ice hockey programs.

A director and volunteer with various organizations since 2004, Satkowski served as the head professional at MatchPoint Tennis in Chester, N.Y., from 2004 to 2009. In that role, he taught private lessons and group clinics to children and adults of all skill levels. Satkowski, who also worked as a tutor at the Canton Central School District for two years, served as the director of the Town of Cornwall Tennis Camp from 2005-07, conducting weekly camp sessions with students from six to 16 years of age.

Satkowski graduated from St. Lawrence University in May of 2009, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.