After nearly 20 years, ATA has many alumni who continue to play a big role in our community, which Coach Newman calls ‘The Pack’. In this article, we check in with one of the first to attend ATA and go to ATA College Prep.

What is your name and where do you currently live? My name is Josh Hagar and I live in Chicago, IL

Which years did you attend ATA and/or ATA CP? ATA from 2006-2012, and ATA College Prep since its inception until I graduated, so 2007 through 2012. 

Where did you attend college? University of Notre Dame

What are you doing now? I work for an up-and-coming wealth management technology firm based in Chicago called GeoWealth.

If you could go back to your junior tennis career, would there be anything you would do differently or would tell your younger self? I was fortunate to have great mentors in my junior career, for which I am forever thankful, so there is not too much I regret. These mentors include my parents, the ATA coaching staff, and countless others. That said, I would challenge my younger self to always enjoy the ebbs and flows that make the junior development process what it is. It’s easy to get discouraged in low moments, but throughout your career you will win plenty of matches (which are cause for celebration) and you will have dozens of setbacks, whether it be losses, injuries, or the like. They all play a crucial role in your personal development, so enjoy the good times and embrace the difficult moments – see those as challenges and opportunities to grow. In hindsight, I am fondest of my highlights just as much as I am my setbacks.  

What was your most memorable moment or significant highlight in college and/or playing college tennis?  A few come to mind, but beating the #1 team in the country at home during my junior year and playing in the NCAA tournaments (team and individual) top the list.

Looking back, what would you say is the biggest impact your time at ATA has had on your life? I’m paraphrasing, but Lou Holtz once said about Notre Dame: “for those who have been, they need no explanation. For those who have not, no explanation will suffice.” Of all the tennis programs I have visited in the world, I have never seen one that exhibits the qualities that the ATA community has. Not only does the culture promote excellence in all facets of life, but it also encourages students to be selfless with each other, give back to those less fortunate, and represent something bigger than themselves. I do my best to embody those qualities on a daily basis, but it’s hard to put into words what the biggest impact ATA has had on my life. No explanation will truly suffice.

Who is/was your favorite professional tennis player? It’s tough not to say Federer, but I’ve always been most impressed by Djokovic.

Do you still play tennis, even compete? I don’t compete anymore, but I do coach college-bound junior players in the Chicago area.

What’s the best piece of advice given to you by one of your coaches? Judge the result, but trust the process.

Did you have any superstitions in your junior/collegiate tennis career and if so, what were they? Not particularly. After playing in fairly difficult environments, you learn to adapt to whatever is thrown your way. I never put much energy into superstitions.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to junior players regarding going through the college selection process? Three pieces of advice in no particular order: do your research, don’t rush the decision, and make finding the right fit your #1 priority