Somadi

Somadi Druker

Since her appointment as the Head Men's Tennis Coach at Queens College in 2015, Somadi Druker has transformed the men’s tennis program into a national powerhouse with the highest National ranking of #32 under her leadership. Coach Druker is an exceptional coach with an impressive record of accomplishments. She has led her teams to six conference championships and made three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances. Under her leadership, her teams have qualified for the NCAA regional championships for nine consecutive years. Additionally, Coach Druker has earned seven conference Coach of the Year awards and was honored with the 2024 ITA Wilson Coach of the Year award.
 
Her dedication and success in coaching continue to set a high standard in the tennis community. The 2023-2024 season was particularly noteworthy, with the team achieving a 17-6 record and clinching both the ECC Regular Season Championship and the ECC Tournament for the second straight year. During this time, Roni Rikkonen made history as the first Knight to win the ITA East Regional Singles Championship, and Druker was honored as the Wilson ITA Coach of the Year.
 
Druker’s coaching prowess has been evident throughout her tenure. For the last two seasons, her team earned the top seed in the NCAA East Regional Bracket, with several players receiving All-ECC honors. The 2021-2022 season saw the Knights finish with a 17-9 record, securing the ECC regular season championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32. Druker was named ECC Coach of the Year, and her players garnered numerous accolades, including conference Player and Rookie of the Year awards.
 
Despite the challenges of the global pandemic in the 2019-2020 season, Druker’s team was ranked #3 in the East Region and received the ITA Team Academic Award. Her ability to lead through adversity underscores her dedication to both athletic and academic excellence. Druker's commitment to developing her players' skills and fostering a winning team culture has solidified her reputation as an outstanding coach and leader.
 
Before joining Queens College, Druker was a professional tennis instructor in Cape Town, South Africa, and played Division II college tennis at Concordia College and Queens College. Her experience as a top singles and doubles player, combined with her coaching expertise, has been instrumental in her success. Druker holds a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in physical education and serves as the Tennis Operations Assistant Director and Summer Camp Tennis Program Coordinator, further enhancing the program's impact.
 
Beyond her coaching responsibilities at Queens College, Coach Druker is a USPTA Elite Professional and coach developer who dedicates her time to training the next generation of college and professional coaches. She also serves as the USPTA Metro District President and holds prestigious roles within the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) as the ITA D2 Men's National Ranking Chair and a member of the ITA Men’s D2 Operating Committee in the Eastern Region. Druker's unwavering dedication and impressive track record make her a vital asset to the tennis community.