CeeJay Schaffner, entering his seventh season in 2025-26, was hired as head coach of the Yellowjacket men's and women's tennis programs on Dec. 2, 2019.
In 2024-25 Schaffner guided the Yellowjacket women to its most successful season in program history, ending the season with a 21-6 overall mark and another perfect 5-0 record in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play. After sweeping their way through the postseason tournament and collecting a program-high 10 consecutive victories, Superior captured the program's first UMAC tournament championship with 4-0 and 4-1 wins over Webster and Greenville, respectively, before ending their season with a 4-0 loss against Hope College in the NCAA First Round.
For the Yellowjacket men, they played their toughest schedule in program history, ending the year with an 8-16 overall record while going 4-0 in UMAC play. They captured their 31st consecutive victory against conference opponents in the regular season, which dates back to the 2021 season.
In the 2023-24 season, the Yellowjacket men capped their season with an overall record of 13-10, including a clean 4-0 mark in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action. Schaffner guided seven to the All-UMAC list, including first team members Ren Kurachi and Jacob Zacharias. Zacharias is now recognized as the all-time leader in singles and doubles victories in program history with 48 and 36 wins, respectively.
The women's program enjoyed a historic season under Schaffner, capping the season with a program-best 16 wins at 16-9 overall. The 2023-24 campaign also saw the 'Jackets clinch its first UMAC North Division title, along with its first appearance in the UMAC Championship match. Postseason awards were headlined by Schaffner as the UMAC Coach of the Year, along with freshman Maya Haupt claimed the conference player of the year and rookie of the year honors after finishing singles action at 17-7. Kate Jonas was slated to the All-UMAC First Team, while Andreina Tejada, Claudia Curtis and Jessi Kukowski grabbed second team spots. Giulia Araujo De Barros rounded out the Yellowjacket awards with an honorable mention citation.
In victories against Crown and Martin Luther Apr. 21, Coach Schaffner eclipsed 100 career wins as head coach of the men's and women's programs.
Schaffner led the men's team to a record-setting season in 2023. The Yellowjackets would set a new program record for wins in a season on the way to an overall mark of 23-4 and a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play. They would start the season on a high note, winning the first 11 matches in a row. Additionally, they would claim the circuit's regular season title before falling to Greenville 1-5.
Over the course of the season, freshman standout Igor Guetten Chaves would be named UMAC Men's Tennis Player of the week five times at No. 1 singles. Rightfully so, he would be named the UMAC Player of the Year, as well as the UMAC Rookie of the Year. Five other Yellowjacket players would earn All-UMAC plaudits. Schaffner would also be named the 2023 UMAC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
In 2023, the women's team finished with an overall record of 10-13 and 7-3 in UMAC play. Another freshman star would rise, as Andreina Tejada was named UMAC Women's Player of the Week twice, as well as to the All-UMAC First Team, the UMAC Rookie of the Year, and UMAC Player of the Year. Courtney Brandt was named to the All-UMAC Second Team, while Marina Dostal earned an All-UMAC honorable mention.
Schaffner led the men's team to its first-ever UMAC championship and NCAA tournament appearance in 2022 with a 16-6 overall record, including an 8-0 mark in the UMAC. Schaffner was named 2022 UMAC Coach of the Year for his efforts, helping put five players on the All-UMAC team, including Michael Janes, who earned UMAC Player of the Year honors.
Schaffner led the women's team to a 8-15 overall mark, going 6-2 in the league in 2022. The Yellowjackets advanced to the UMAC championship match. UWS landed four players on the on the All-UMAC team, while Maya Callaway was named UMAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
In his first full season in Superior due to the cancelation of the majority of the 2019-20 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Schaffner led the men's team to the 2021 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference championship match.
Schaffner was selected to participate in the ITA USTA College Coach Mentorship Program for the 2021-22 season. In its second year, the program is a collaborative effort between the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association to nurture the next generation of collegiate coaches. Schaffner is part a diverse group of 15 coaches from NCAA Divisions I-III and the junior-college ranks who are paired with veteran collegiate coaches.
Schaffner came to UW-Superior after serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the men's and women's tennis teams at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. While on staff, Schaffner helped the Cardinals to a record of 42-16.
Prior entering the coaching field, Schaffner was a four-year member of the men's tennis team at Concordia University Wisconsin. Over four years he earned 41 singles victories and fashioned a 51-39 record in doubles play. In 2017, he posted a doubles record of 19-8, tying for second in program history for single-season doubles victories. Schaffner was a two-time conference champion and a three-time All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference selection.
A native of Fountain City, Wis., Schaffner earned his Bachelor's degree in sport and entertainment business from Concordia Wisconsin in 2018. He resides in Duluth, Minn.
