All in the family

By Steven Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine

For the past 40 years, Toby Watton has been the patriarch of the North Penn tennis family.

He’s watched former players like Todd Doebler, who played for Watton in the late 80s and early 90s, move on to have successful college careers and rewarding lives thereafter.

Well, Watton must be as proud as a grandfather these days.

Doebler has gone on to become the head coach at Penn State University, and Watton’s top singles player, Class AAA defending state champion Chris Hasyn, is going to play tennis for the Nittany Lions this fall.

Furthermore, Hasyn committed to play for the Nittany Lions despite the fact he wasn’t offered a scholarship.

"I thought he might go to Delaware or St. Joe’s where he could get a scholarship," Watton said. "He wants to take a gamble that he’ll finish in the top six. He could have gone to other schools and gotten a free ride."

Instead, Hasyn chose Penn State with the understanding that, if he places in the top six on the team his freshman year, he will get a scholarship covering his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. While most people would call that a gamble, Hasyn sees it as just another test.

"I know I’ll do well," Hasyn said. "I’m just going to go play tennis, see how things go and give it my all.

"It’s just another challenge. I’ll just go do what I normally do."

After Doebler got in contact with Hasyn early last fall, Hasyn’s parents asked Watton to fill Doebler in on Chris’ strengths and weaknesses.

"We’re very excited to have Chris join us," Doebler said. "He’s a great kid and a hard worker. I’m personally excited to get someone from North Penn High School. That’s special for me."

According to Hasyn, there was an instant connection with Doebler.

He went to Penn State for a weekend visit in late October and he committed to the school in early November.

"He went up there when Penn State was playing Ohio State," Watton said. "With all the atmosphere (surrounding the football game), I think he fell in love with the whole situation."

Hasyn wouldn’t be the first recruit to fall for the siren song that is Penn State football. What’s surprising is that that game had little to do with his decision to go to Happy Valley.

"It was more the tennis scene," Hasyn said. "Their tennis scene is on the rise. They’ve been getting better every year. That’s the type of program I want to be apart of."

Considering that Doebler had a lot to do with that has to make Watton proud.

"Coach Watton is a caring person and coach," Doebler said. "He called me and we talked a few times. I tried to mail him stuff over the years. He was very excited that Chris was coming up here. He’s a big Penn State fan."

After leaving North Penn, Doebler attended Bloomsburg University before becoming a coach at Pepperdine. He moved on to become an assistant coach at Notre Dame, where he earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s assistant coach of the year award in 2004 and 2006 before resigning to become coach at Penn State.

Hasyn is looking at Penn State as place where he can continue to grow.

"The competition is a lot better," Hasyn said. "I have more room to get better and improve my game. I’m going for the tennis, to get a good education and have a good time."

For Wotton, it gives him another reason to head up to Happy Valley in the fall.

"I think he tries to come up for a football game once a year," Doebler said. "I hope he has a chance to come up next year. I’m looking forward to catching up with him at a football game or, even better, at a (tennis) match. I think it’ll be fun."