Todd Mansfield started playing tennis when he was only 7 years old. He quickly found success and passion for the sport, and he never looked back.

He was a 3-sport athlete at Lakeside High School in Seattle, Wash., his hometown. It was his tennis skills that stood out though, as he was a 3-time state finalist and a singles state champion during his time there.

“I realized I could be Division I the first time I beat Greg Failla, at age 14,” Mansfield said.

Faila would go on to become a standout at The University of Southern California and a top-10 player in the country.

Mansfield went on to play DI tennis at Northwestern University, playing with greats like Todd Martin, a former American tennis player who reached finals in both the US Open and Australian Open, and Steve Herdoiza, former NCAA All-American and Big Ten singles champion.

Unfortunately, Mansfield suffered a back injury his freshman year in a match against Michigan State, which eventually forced him to hang up his racket early in his sophomore year.

Having to reconsider his future, Mansfield discovered a new passion: sports broadcasting. In his sophomore year, he got his first taste of the industry, working on stats for a Northwestern Iowa basketball game. The experience lit a fire in him, and at the age of 19, he was hooked. This new passion took him into a world where he could still be around the sports he loved, and Mansfield embraced it fully.

Over the years, he has reported on just about every sport imaginable. From Pac-12 football and basketball games to Major League Soccer and even the OSAA State Championships, he’s tried it all.

One of his most memorable moments came while calling Oregon State University’s baseball games, traveling to Omaha for the Beavers’ first national championships in 2006 and 2007. His favorite sport to broadcast, however, is hockey, as he loves the fast-paced action and excitement it brings.

Although he loves to broadcast for hockey, his favorite memory in his broadcasting career came as a sideline reporter and post-game host after the Beavers football team beat the No.1 ranked USC Trojans in Reser Stadium. It was the team’s first win over a #1 opponent since the “Giant Killers” team in 1967 took down the OJ Simpson-led USC Trojans – they were giant killers again.
Mansfield’s broadcasting career flourished as he covered a wide range of sports, but he never abandoned his connection to tennis entirely.

Mansfield got his first coaching job three months after college, coaching at Central Washington University. He also offered private tennis lessons, helping players hone their skills and stay connected to the game that had given him so much.

Eventually, Mansfield decided to take his coaching to the next level, accepting the head coaching position for Lincoln High School’s tennis team in Portland, Ore.

During his time at Lincoln, the team became the No.1 public school in Oregon, and Mansfield sent multiple players to compete at the collegiate level, including his No.1 player, who went on to play Division I tennis at the University of Alabama.

Mansfield also found success at Oregon Episcopal School, a private school in Portland, coaching several top-3 state finishers during his time there.

Mansfield’s proudest moment as a coach came during his time at Catlin Gabel School in Portland when freshman Kate Rubenstein won the state title. It was his first non-player state title and a defining moment in his coaching career.

Mansfield’s coaching journey has spanned over many years, and he has developed a philosophy that reflects his lifelong commitment to the sport.

“Once you’re coaching, you’re always coaching,” Mansfield said.

Even when he wasn’t officially coaching, he’s always been happy to help anyone who needs it, often helping family and friends who may ask for his advice.

He’s dedicated countless hours to private lessons, coaching players from all backgrounds and skill levels. This extensive experience made him a perfect fit for the next chapter of his coaching career – taking the helm as the head tennis coach at Linfield University.

When asked why he chose to come to Linfield, Mansfield points to two major influences – Scott Brosius, Linfield alum and former Major League Baseball player who became the school’s athletic director this year, and the opportunity to utilize the university’s indoor tennis courts.

“Scott was the biggest influence,” Mansfield said, noting that Brosius’s involvement with Linfield athletics showed him the potential and possibilities for growth at the school.

Indoor courts are a rarity in the Pacific Northwest and represent a massive advantage for a program striving to reach the next level, as they allow year-round training regardless of weather.

Mansfield already knew about Linfield’s athletic prowess from his years in sports broadcasting. He admires the university’s balance between academic rigor and athletic excellence, which makes for a great environment to build a program that attracts and develops top-tier student-athletes.

“The versatility of the school academically enhances the athletic experience,” Mansfield said.

Heading into his first season as Linfield’s head coach, Mansfield is most excited about the chance to truly build a program. He’s inspired by the athletes who have chosen to attend Linfield and believes that the college setting offers a unique opportunity to create something special.

“To be able to build something that creates a destination for great student-athletes to come to, I want to be able to do that,” Mansfield said, his passion evident in his voice.

Mansfield has set ambitious goals for the program, but he’s confident in his vision. In his first year, he aims to lead Linfield to the Northwest Conference playoffs. By year two, he plans to win the league and by year three, he envisions the team competing in the NCAA tournament. He acknowledges that these goals will require hard work and dedication, but believes that with the right athletes and support, Linfield can become a real competitor in collegiate tennis.

His long-term vision goes beyond just winning matches and titles. Mansfield dreams of building a tennis facility that serves not only the Linfield community but also the greater McMinnville area. He sees it as an opportunity to create a space that fosters community engagement, while also providing financial benefits for the university.

“We need to think big and ambitious, or why are you here?” Mansfield said, challenging his players, colleagues, and even himself to strive for greatness.

As he steps into this new role, Mansfield brings with him plenty of experience as a player, coach and broadcaster. He understands the demands of high-level competition and has a genuine passion for teaching and mentoring athletes. His journey has come full circle, from competing at a Division I level to coaching at the high school and now collegiate level.