UMass Boston Athletics Hall of Fame
An eight-time All-Little East selection, Charles led the Beacons to their first LEC Tournament crown in 2013, defeating intra-state rival UMass Dartmouth in one of the most competitive matches in program history.
During his time on the harbor campus, Lai established himself as one of the most decorated and respected players to ever compete for the Beacons. He currently holds multiple program records including total matches played in a career (143) and in a season (41), total career matches won (97), and doubles matches won (50).
After graduating from UMass Boston, he stayed on as a member of the coaching staff, where he helped the men’s side to its second championship in four years. In 2019, Lai took the reins of both the men’s and women’s program. After leading the men’s team to a perfect 7-0 conference record, Lai’s Beacons hoisted the program’s third LEC crown in a decade. On the women’s side, he led the program to their first-ever appearance in the LEC title match after recording a program record 14 wins during the regular season.
