May 20, 2010

Pocatello, ID - Being a Division I athlete can be a long and arduous process for some athletes and this was no exception for Idaho State's Hestian Stoica (HES-T-en Stoy-KA) who competed for the tennis team from 2001-04. The Bengal's vision to become a Division I tennis player nearly fell through when the US Embassy denied the Romanian a visa twice before he was finally granted permission to come to the States where he found an outstanding athletic, academic and personal life; meeting his current wife Lisa who competed for the Bengals his senior season.

Tennis was always a huge part of Hestian's life growing up. His father was a tennis coach instructing him and his sister. His sister's love for the sport continued as she followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a tennis coach as well. Hestian followed his academic pursuits and is currently a Business Valuation Analyst with Willamette Management Associates in Portland, Ore.

"I've been around tennis since before I could walk one way or the other, even traveling with by parents for my sister's tennis tournaments when I was young. My first tennis tournaments were when I was around 7-8 years old," said Hestian by email correspondence.

The Bengals' desire to play collegiate tennis in the United States didn't grow until his junior year in high school, but he took the pursuit seriously. Hestian had originally contacted Tulane University for schooling and a tennis career, but was directed to Idaho State by the Tulane head coach.

"After talking to coach Bobby Goeltz and looking with more depth at the school, I decided to choose ISU," said Hestian about his decision after speaking with the Idaho State men's and women's tennis coach.

Living 6,276 miles away from Pocatello in Arges, Romania, having never been to the United States, let alone the University before, Hestian attempted to gain a visa to the U.S. where he was being given a full ride scholarship by ISU Head Coach Goeltz. Hestian had proof of scholarship with all expenses paid but was still denied.

"After the whole process, I was very disappointed and ready to give up trying," said Hestian of his first two attempts to gain a visa to the United States, a process that lasted six months. "I wanted to leave the whole US college idea behind, and go to Germany and try to play tennis there. But my parents supported me and insisted to try again; knowing that coming to the US and getting a college degree is a much better option for my future."

"Everybody involved at ISU was very supportive and patient. Their attitude was also a reason why I did not give up and ultimately tried to come to ISU again," stated Hestian. "They helped me with all the required documents and information in a very timely manner. I owe a great deal to Coach Goeltz, Michelle Lewis, from ISU International Students, and Nancy Graziano in the Athletic Department."

The four-time Big Sky All-Academic Honoree succeeded both on the court and in the classroom. He worked his way up from competing primarily at the No. 5 position as a freshman to leading the Bengals at the No.1 spot his senior season. Hestian was named First Team All-Conference two years in a row, 2002 and 2003, as well as being selected to the Second Team All-Conference in 2004.

Hestian Stoica competing for the Bengals at Reed Gym in 2003.

A member of the Dean's list all four years, Hestian helped Idaho State finish second at the Big Sky Conference tournament in 2003 when the third seeded Bengals upset the second seeded Montana State in a 4-1 victory where the Bengal helped Idaho State capture the doubles point.

"Relative to where he played in the lineup and his GPA, he's all you could want in a student-athlete," said Head Coach Goeltz of Hestian. "He calls religiously at Christmas and a few other times a year. It shows he really cares about me and the program. He's a real prince of a kid."

During his intense athletic career Hestian never lost focus on his academics as he earned the most coveted award from the Big Sky when he was named the Big Sky Conference Scholar Athlete in 2004. He was also named Idaho State University Outstanding Finance Graduating Student of the Year whereupon he graduated with high honors.

"Coach Goeltz is looking to bring and grow great scholar athletes, while acting as a second father for many of us," commented Hestian. "As a result, our team was not just a good tennis team, but very good students as well, contributing to ISU academically. For example, while attending ISU, our tennis team was fighting for the number one or two spots in the Big Sky Conference while averaging a 3.5 GPA, with mostly science and business administration majors."

"With all that he has achieved he took absolute full advantage of his opportunity," said Goeltz of Hestian's scholarship that helped him attain an exceptional athletic and academic career at Idaho State.

Hestian's senior season contained a bonus milestone as he met his current wife Lisa Stoica who competed for the Bengals in 2004 as Melissa (Lisa) Bessman. Fate seemed to align for the couple as Lisa competed for Big Sky opponent Portland State during the 2002-03 season after transferring from the University of Portland.

Unfortunately, Portland State dropped its women's tennis program the following year leaving Lisa without a team to play for or University to attend. Thankfully for Lisa, Hestian and the Bengal tennis program she was able to transfer to Idaho State under the direction of Head Coach Goeltz.

"Getting the opportunity to transfer from Portland State was actually beneficial both academically and with athletics," said Lisa through email correspondence. "I recently transferred from University of Portland prior to Portland State so it was a hassle to adjust somewhere new again. However, I am very glad I was able to play for Idaho State."

"Coach Goeltz is a good guy," said Lisa. "Actually coming to Idaho State and having a coach like Bobby was a huge relief. I feel that he really cares about all of the players and wants everyone to do well."

"Lisa was a great kid, a hard worker," said Head Coach Goeltz. "She got bumped around a lot between schools, but she did well despite the fact."

Hestian and Lisa Stoica competed together at Idaho State on different squads in 2004.

Lisa graduated from Idaho State in 2005, but not before being named Idaho State women's tennis' Most Valuable Player at the 52nd annual Sam Bennion Banquet in 2004. Lisa posted a 12-9 singles record her first season with Idaho State competing at the No. 2 and 3 spots. She also posted an impressive 14-6 doubles record at the No. 1 doubles position.

Lisa has continued her tennis career by becoming a Head Pro for the St. Johns Racquet Center. She also teaches tennis out of the Portland Tennis Center and coaches a local high school boys team. She still actively plays tennis and will compete with Hestian in USTA mixed doubles leagues and a few tournaments.

"Tennis definitely brought us together and helped us to realize we have a lot of things in common," said Lisa. "However, I still tell Hestian the only reason I married him was because I thought he would make a great mixed doubles partner."

"It is kind of funny that I married a tennis player, but I guess it is not that unusual, being around tennis all my life," said Hestian. "We do play mixed doubles together here in Portland, but not too often as we are both pretty busy with work. We just hit and play for fun most of the time, especially during the summer."

While they competed at Idaho State fans and players could find the two hitting up a storm and playing matches against each other outside of practice. The competitive fire has yet to die between the two as Hestian added with a laugh and a smile to the topic of playing competitively together, "If she told you she can beat me, don't believe her."

Hestian and Lisa remain dedicated to the Idaho State tennis program as the Bengals traveled to the Portland area in the middle of May as the men's team played both Portland State and Portland while the women's team competed against Portland State.

"Both (Hestian and Lisa) came over and stayed through the whole match," said Goeltz of the Stoica's visit. "It's one thing to stop by and say hi and another to stay for a full match on just three open courts."

Tennis is a sport that runs deep in your soul, no more clearly shown than through the lives of Hestian and Lisa who have been impacted by the sport throughout their lives. They both were given amazing opportunities through the program at Idaho State in several different ways; athletically, academically and personally. They both continue to care about the sport and have a huge fondness of the Bengal program. Luckily it is not a one way street as their presence with Idaho State has also been deeply rooted.

"The combination of the two of them was a huge asset to the program," said Head Coach Goeltz of both players' impact on the Bengal tennis program. "They are both amazing kids... and Hestian's record as far as academically and athletically he's the best we've had."