Purchase College Athletics

Three-time Purchase College Coach of the Year Peter Nestel returns for his 11th season as the program's swim coach this winter and his 12th as the head men's tennis coach for the Panthers.

Nestel has been Purchase's winningest coach, leading the women's swim team to two conference titles (08-09, 10-11), while also guiding the men's and women's tennis programs to regular postseason berths.

Nestel led the men's tennis team to the semifinals of the conference tournament once again following a second-place finish for the women's swim team at championships. He also guided the men's swim team to a fourth-place finish at the finals in 2015-16. After passing over the head coaching duties in women's tennis in 2009, Nestel now coaches men's and women's swim, and men's tennis. Men's swim became an official varsity sport at Purchase in 2010-11.  

The decorated coach holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with a minor in Applied Engineering and Business from SUNY Stony Brook. Nestel is a PTR Certified Tennis Instructor and Tennis Professional, Certified Level I Coach for Triathlon, certified springboard diving coach and swimming coach. He joined Purchase following a stint at Lawrence University in Wisconsin where he was the head men’s and women’s tennis coach. Nestel coached the women’s tennis team to the Midwest Conference Team championships for the first time in 17 years.