Newman Named Junior Tennis Champion Of The Year
The Tennis Industry Association recently published its “Champions Of Tennis Awards”, in which ATA CEO Jack Newman was named 2014 Junior Tennis Champion Of The Year.
“Being recognized by the Tennis Industry is a great honor,” Coach Newman said. “The article, if you read it closely, talks a lot about the entire Austin Tennis Academy, not just Jack Newman, and that is how it should be – any award I receive reflects the talents and gifts and work and effort of the team at the Austin Tennis Academy.”
The TIA’s annual awards celebrate people, organizations and businesses dedicated to improving and growing the sport and business of tennis. According to his current and former players, as well as his coaching peers, Coach Newman definitely fits this description.
“Tennis is only a fraction of what I learned from Jack as my Coach in the juniors,” said Brent Werbeck, a former student of Newman’s. “Sure he helped me become a better tennis player, but what people don’t know is that I owe much of my success in life to Jack and our “bench talks” in between the all the drills and lessons. Jack challenged me to be better – a better friend, and a stronger leader. Jack lived and breathed my success and wins were the least important metric. Helping me become a better man always took priority over trophies. I’m a better husband, father and teammate because of Jack. Tennis was simply the vehicle for his teachings.”
Newman talks to current ATA College Prep student and player Jesse Wikso.
Werbeck has since graduated from Boise State after a success career on the court and in the classroom, and now serves as the Senior Vice President at RxWiki here in Austin. Another former player echoed Brent’s sentiment.
“Coach Jack Newman had an amazing impact on my development both on and off the court,” said Josh Hagar, current sophomore at Notre Dame University. “Looking back, my fondest memories of working with Coach Newman revolved around the times when he would teach me off court lessons on the court. He had an amazing way of doing that. In addition to being a great tennis coach, he teaches his students character qualities as well, including problem solving skills, ways to bounce back from failure, and, perhaps most importantly, the importance of being confident in yourself. Those personal qualities reach far beyond being a great athlete. I try to utilize them on daily basis off the court as well as on court. That being said, I think he is more than deserving of this recognition. Congrats to him.”
Hagar, in yellow, with Newman in Africa supporting A Glimmer Of Hope Foundation.
Josh is currently beginning his sophomore season at Notre Dame. He entered the season ranked number 9 in the nation in doubles and number 82 in the nation in singles, while his team came in at number 14 in NCAA DI Men’s tennis.
Newman’s current players offered consistent feedback to their elder ATA graduates.
“I think Coach Newman is one of the most dedicated and focused people I have ever met in my life,” said Granville Kaynor, a current student at ATA College Prep. “The sacrifices he makes to help other people reach their goals are breathtaking. Without Coach Newman guiding me through my journey, I would be very lost. He may be hard on me at times, but it I know he only has my best interest at heart. Coach Newman makes it his goal for his students to reach their goals, and he takes a personal interest in everyone he teaches. When you slip up, you may hear the phrase, “it’s your goal, not mine.” Coach only says this because he really wants you to accomplish your goals; it’s what makes him happy. His personal interest in his students, his innate unselfish nature, and his dedication are what granted him this award.”
Newman talking to current ATA College Prep player and student Callie Creath.
Granville’s current ATA teammate and soon-to-be freshman at Notre Dame University, Grayson Broadus, also chimed in about his coach.
“I have never been around someone who is so invested and engrossed in his work,” Grayson said. “From 5 am to 9 pm he is working non-stop at the speed of “Newman.” He is incredibly hard working and gets things done quicker than anyone I know. He’s the most determined and motivated person that I know. But his most impressive quality is that he doesn’t have bad days. If you ask him how he’s doing, he will always say and truly believe that it is the best day his life so far. Coach Newman has been the most influential person in my life.
In over 30 years in junior tennis, Newman has worked with a lot of people. Over the past 11 years at ATA, his leadership as a business owner and his example as a USPTA Master Professional Coach have left a lasting effect on his peers as well.
Newman with three former players: Taylor now at Washington & Lee, Jeff at Vanderbilt and Josh at Notre Dame.
“Having worked with Jack for more than 20 years, I believe what separates him from other coaches is his “big picture” emphasis on teaching his students life lessons through the process of pursuing high goals in tennis,” said Eric Schmidhauser, a founding partner of the ATA. “Although the fierce competitor in Coach Newman enjoys watching his students accomplish their “result” goals, he is more interested in teaching them to learn the following habits of successful people: disciplined work habits, time management skills, the concept of sacrificing in order to achieve high goals, and buying into a Team First Culture that celebrates being part of something bigger than yourself. Although Coach Newman has developed hundreds of top-ranked national caliber players who have gone on to earn college scholarships, he has developed thousands of Citizens of Significance who are leaders in their communities. Coach Newman is a Difference Maker whose legacy in junior tennis will be enduring.”
Brian Notis, ATA’s Director of Junior Academy, Tournament Director, and Junior Team Tennis Director, summed up Newman succinctly.
“Nobody I know works harder and makes more personal sacrifices on a daily basis than Jack Newman. Every player that Jack coaches and every player that comes through the ATA gets Jack’s passion and attention and is a better player and a better person for it.”
Here is a link to the full publication.