Camille Tontodonati, a veteran North Jersey high school tennis coach, has been appointed as the coach of William Paterson University’s new women’s tennis program.

Tontodonati ran the program as a club sport last fall and will guide the Pioneers into a full varsity schedule starting in September. This will be William Paterson’s first varsity tennis team since the program was discontinued in 1989.

“We are really excited about bringing women's tennis back as an intercollegiate sport,” said Sabrina Grant, the William Paterson director of athletics. “Our new tennis facility and the hiring of Camille Tontodonati provide us with great optimism that the women's tennis program will renew the tradition of great success it gained in the past. Coach Tontodonati exudes enthusiasm and a passion for the game that will certainly be contagious for the members of the team.”

Tontodonati coached at Passaic County Technical Institute, where she guided the varsity girls tennis squad the past two years after coaching the girls junior varsity in 2001. She has also served as the boys tennis coach at PCTI since 2002 and will continue in that position. During the summer, she is a pro instructor at Love Ladies in Belmar.

Previously, she coached the girls’ teams at Hackensack High School (1978-80) and Paramus Catholic High School (1981-82).

“I am excited about this opportunity,” Tontodonati said. “I’ve made contacts with high school coaches around the area and think we can use them to build our program. I’m looking to create a program that’s strong. I want players that are students of the game who want to improve their skills.”

Tontodonati also has served as a guidance counselor at Passaic County Technical Institute since 1993. She resides in West Milford.