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ATA Alumni Player Profile – Brent Werbeck

Measuring the impact those closest to you have on your life – and yours on theirs – can be difficult. For Austin Tennis Academy alumnus Brent Werbeck, that reciprocal impact is not only front and center, it is foundational and defining. Brent’s story so far is a braid of bright, personal values, a peer-group bonded like brothers, and a bold community of coaches and parents around them.

From growing up in Austin around ATA, to college-tennis at Boise State, and now back here with his growing family and business, the backbone of Brent’s story is consistency – yes, between the lines, but more with his steady workman-like approach to life, his ability to lean on those closest to him, and his priority on offering himself back to them in service. And, yes – he’s really good at tennis as well.

“My Dad first put a racket in my hand when I was 5 years old,” Brent said. “He was my coach up until about 6th-7th grade when I started working with Jack and Eric [Schmidhauser]. From there I never really considered doing anything else.”

Brent credits his early tennis development largely to Coach Newman, who handled the bulk of his private lessons. But, the expertise of Coach Doug Davis, and the alternative approach, played a big role is his progress as well.

“The different coaching styles and areas of expertise between Jack and Doug made it possible for me to progress at a much faster rate,” Brent said. “Looking back, I believe they both really understood how to get the best out of me.”

Shortly after joining Coach Newman, Brent found through ATA what would later be coined PENTA – a peer-group of five friends who would push each other in the sport, while growing up supporting each other around it.

Brent met his wife, ATA alum Jen Wencel, through this peer group. The groomsmen in his wedding came from this peer group. The godfather of his two boys is from this peer group. He’s been employed by parents of this peer group and has employed siblings of this peer group.

“How much more can I say?” Brent said. “Some of the most important connections/relationships in my life have come out of this peer group. Yes, my peer group hands down made me a better tennis player but that pales in comparison to all the other ways they’ve been a part of my life.”

PENTA echoed Brent’s sentiments about the group generally. They also, though, revealed much of the unique attributes that Brent brought to the group.

Brent, Santiago, Adam, Ryan, and Brandon; or, PENTA

“Brent is a savage competitor on and off the court. He is the kind of guy you want in the trenches with you,” said Adam Slagter.

“Brent has always been very clear on the goals he has set in any part of his life and attacks them,” said Brandon Davis.

“Brent leans on hard work and smartly focusing on his strengths,” Santiago Montoya said. “He was more of a quiet leader type, yet he also developed an ability to communicate and inspire others.”

According to his long-time coach, this spirit and competitive edge grew out of personal experience. When Brent was a freshman in high-school, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Going through Brent’s moms’ fight with breast cancer gave him a unique perspective on tennis,” Coach Jack Newman said. “It was a release. He felt very little pressure about winning and losing.”

Brent’s mother, Esmeralda Werbeck, ultimately lived many years beyond what was projected by the doctors. When she passed, Brent organized the 1st Esmeralda’s Run, a 5K run put on to help raise money to pay for the enormous medical bills that piled up over her years of fighting cancer. The 1st event was held just a few short days after her death.

Brent speaks to the group at the first ever Ralda’s Run

“My mom was a fighter,” Brent said.

I remember the entire ATA community rally to support me and our family during this really dark time. It was over Thanksgiving and I remember several ATA families canceling their Thanksgiving travel plans to come to this event.

It was my peer group at the ATA that helped me get through this really tough time.

Just know that everyone had my back, supported me and cared for me enough to help me keep it together.

I never felt alone or like I had to deal with it by myself. All of this is a big reason why these same people are still so important to me.”

In subsequent years, Esmeralda’s Run raised money for other local non-profits and other families in the ATA that experienced great tragedies.

As Coach Newman said, this experience had a unique impact on Brent. Also, though, Brent credits some regular occurrences embedded into the ATA program that have served him valuably. Most notably, the regular opportunities for each student to speak in front of a group, like after a successful tournament.

“I routinely think back to those early powerful moments of speaking in front of my peers at the ATA that shaped who I am today and the confidence that I bring to my work and everyday life.”

One of the key values around ATA over the years is the goal to create citizens of significance not just accomplishment. For Brent, growing into a citizen of significance has taken different forms. What hasn’t changed, though, is how it has inspired him to relentlessly pursue happiness.

“I say this because I don’t think it is possible to do or be something of significance without first being or pursuing happiness,” Brent said. “The ATA is different because it is so much more than tennis. It really is about being significant and being/pursuing something greater than tennis excellence.

I want to be a good husband and significant in my wife’s life.

I want to be a great father and significant in the lives of our two boys.

My wife – our kids -our family – this is what brings me happiness.

By pursuing and doing things that allow me to spend time with my family, I continue to find happiness and put myself in a position to be and do things that are significant.

I don’t think I would have that kind of clarity or perspective without the ATA and Jack.

That makes the ATA different.”

Today, Brent lives in Austin with his wife and their two boys, Levi and Lex (6 and 4). After spending a few years at Google and a few startups around Austin, Brent started his own business about a year and half ago called Get More Reviews. They work with small to medium-sized businesses that want to get more online reviews on places like Google, Facebook and Yelp.

“I have an amazing and beautiful wife who loves me and takes care of me and 2 boys who are growing up really fast. They’re both really getting into sports and starting to really love tennis as well.

“Life is absolutely amazing right now. I’m happy and couldn’t ask for more.”

CATA Awards Banquet Will Honor ATA Coach Chad Loup, Roger Chou

The Capital Area Tennis Association’s 23rd annual awards banquet will honor deserving junior tennis players and coaches from 2017-2018.

This year, Coach Chad Loup will be honored as the Capital Area Tennis Association 10&Under Coach Of The Year.

“I’m humbled to receive the 10 and under award because I feel as though there are many great and passionate coaches at ATA, and all over Austin,” Coach Loup said. “I am very thankful to Coach Newman and our team at ATA for allowing to step in and work with such a great collection of coaches and players. The past year has been a whirlwind, and it is great to be recognized by the community for our work.”

ATA senior Academy player Roger Chou will be honored as the CATA Male Player Of The Year.

“Roger Chou is an extremely accomplished player,” said Brandon Davis. “If you ever get to watch him play it is incredibly fun to see the skill and athleticism he has on the court. He is a very deserving winner of the CATA Player of the Year.”

Join us in attending the banquet and celebrating Coach Chad and Roger! The fun begins on April 29th, 5:30 – 8pm.

Learn more and sign up here: https://www.austintennis.org/junior-programs/cata-annual-junior-awards-banquet/

JD Student Carly Krothe Writes About Glimmer, Wins National Award

ATA Junior Development student Carly Krothe was recently awarded 1st place in the USA of all 4th and 5th graders for her essay about A Glimmer of Hope. Carley is a 5th grader at Serene Hills Elementary.

InvestWrite is an innovative, financially based, national writing competition, produced by The Stock Market Game program, that adds a critical thinking component to help reinforce concepts learned in the classroom.

The essay assignment: Imagine you volunteer at a nonprofit organization to manage their money, help it grow and protect it from risk. What would your nonprofit organization support and why is this important to you? How would you invest their money in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds? How would you diversify these investments?

Carly was awarded first place in the nation for Grades 4-5 at Serene Hills Elementary on Monday, February 26. Her first exposure to A Glimmer of Hope and its work came when she participated in a Walk for Water and heard Glimmer founder Donna Berber speak.

2018 Spring Break Tennis Training Camps

This Spring Break, your child can take advantage of the Austin Tennis Academy’s tennis camps to progress at a rapid rate. These camps are designed to provide the greatest development of your child’s physical, mental, technical, and tactical performance levels. Sign up now for a full week or a single day!

Sessions

March 12-16, 2018

Times

QuickStart Camp 9:00am – 10:30am (age 5-8)
Morning Camp 9:00am – 12:00pm
Tournament Tough Training Camp 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Cost

QuickStart Camp $175/week ($40/day drop-in)
Morning Camp $300/week ($80/day drop-in)
Tournament Tough Training Camp $375/week ($90/day drop-in)

QuickStart Camp

9:00am – 10:30am ($175 per week or $40 per day)
The QuickStart tennis format used by the Austin Tennis Academy gives kids the opportunity to rally a ball over the net and learn to play points as quickly as possible – all in a fun environment. Our coaches recognize the importance of starting kids off well, and with success. The ATA was instrumental in developing this groundbreaking nationwide program and served as the pilot program for the USTA. This program uses the appropriate size racquet, court and ball to allow kids to do more – faster! Suggested Age: 5-8 years old.

Morning Camp

9:00am – 12:00pm ($300 per week or $80 per day)
Players will improve their game by learning fundamental skills, practicing game situations, and improving overall movement. Using the latest techniques and international innovations, players learn valuable athletic skills for tennis and other sports.

Afternoon “Tournament Tough” Camp

1:00pm-4:00pm ($375 per week or $90 per day)
Tournament players will improve their game by using competitive game situations, technical training and point play, as well as movement and flexibility training. This camp is limited to Champ and Superchamp-level. ATA Academy players will be training at this time.

Policies

Registration must be made online.
Payment in advance is required to reserve your slot.
ATA camps are held rain or shine. Indoor sessions are held in the event of inclement weather.
No refunds or make-ups for days missed.
Weekly rate applies to that particular week only (no carryover).
Medical Release and Hold Harmless must be filled out online.
Players may leave credit card on file to cover pro shop purchases, lunch, etc.
Private housing may be available. Email info@austintennisacademy.com to inquire.

Pictures From Around ATA College Prep Recently

While the ATA College Prep students follow rigorous academic and athletic schedules, there is a constant effort to maintain a balance between work and play, strain and rest, focus and relaxation. The last few weeks have been no different.

The group worked to wrap up first semester classes while hitting the group running in the Spring. They’ve also made space for fun-filled trips off campus or lively morning practices before school. Here are a few pictures. To see more, head over to the ATA College Prep Facebook page!

Emerson, Sophia, and Sklar focus on an annotation assignment during Reading Lab.

The English I/II students take down a few notes before a creative writing activity.

Juan explores online academic research databases during a field trip to the new Austin Central Library.

Sophia and Emerson are mesmerized by the yawning lion at the Austin Zoo.

Sasha and her team enjoy a fun, yet competitive game to finish morning practice on Friday before classes. Don’t forget to see more photos of the CP group at our Facebook page!

Captured Moments From The ATA Courts

It’s been a busy stretch at ATA! Below are a few pictures from the courts. To see more pictures, head over to the ATA Facebook page!

Coach Newman offers some positive feedback during a challenging drill.

Sydney runs down the ball and connects with a crosscourt forehand.

Steffi steps into a forehand.

Coach Newman and former student Neil Kenner.

Savannah eyes the open court as she approaches the net.

Matthew leans into a forehand as Juan prepares to serve.

ATA College Prep Visits New Austin Central Library

The ATA College Prep students and teachers traveled to downtown Austin last week to visit the new Austin Central Library to begin research for their latest assignment while touring the incredible new space.

After a brief presentation from a librarian, the students dove into research for their biography assignment titled, Stories of Extraordinary Women. In the process, they had time to explore the library, while taking in the extensive balconies, public art installations and more.

Next, the group walked a few blocks into downtown to have some lunch before returning to campus for afternoon classes and practice.

“We had a wonderful time exploring the amazing new library,” ATA CP English teacher Tommy Collins said. “It’s an incredible 6-floor space in the heart of the city, which made for a perfect field trip to kick off our new biography unit.”

Check back here for more updates on what’s happening around the ATA College Prep campus.

ATACP Guest Speaker Series: Michelle Segovia Talks Organ Donation

As part of the ATA College Prep Guest Speaker Series, Michelle Segovia, Communications Director from the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), recently spoke to CP students about saving lives through organ transplants.

“Our (TOSA’s) mission is to save lives through the power of organ donation,” Michelle said. “None of this is possible without the generosity of our donors and their families who are able to see beyond their grief to give life to others.”

Mrs. Segovia’s presentation offered convincing facts, like how 1 person can save 8 lives through organ donation, and that 35 percent of Americans are currently registered as organ donors. She also talked through many misconceptions about organ donation, shared success stories, and answered questions from the group.

“I hope that you are all encouraged to register your decision to donate but also that you’d talk to your family and friends about the decision to register as well,” Segovia said in closing.

To learn more, head over to DonateLifeTx.org. You can visit the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance website by clicking here.

Alumni Updates: Abigail Chiu Checks in From Dartmouth College

Hi Coach Newman and the ATA community!

I just ended my first quarter at Dartmouth College which was filled with many ups and downs, but overall, a very successful first term. Going to college, I had to settle into many new changes that I faced when I first stepped foot on the Dartmouth campus. These changes consisted of constantly meeting new people, adjusting to a newly decorated dorm room, becoming comfortable with my team and coaches, and learning to live on my own for the first time. It was definitely a culture shock and at times extremely hard for me to adjust to. Being so far from my friends and family is hard, but I am glad to say that I am now really happy and enjoying every moment here. While there are similarities with ATA, there are definitely major differences that have surprised me in both good and bad ways. The first thing I will tell you about college tennis is that once you join the team, you are not so special anymore. The special attention that is given to you at ATA no longer exists. You are now part of a group and everything is divided among a dozen other people so with that being said, be a team player.

The first day of practice I learned the hard way. I was playing a point against a senior, missed a shot and told myself not to miss it again. Later that practice, my coach came up to me and told me that next time, I must tell my teammate that she hit a good shot, and I can honestly tell you that it was an extremely embarrassing, and humiliating feeling. After that practice, I cried walking home because I missed my coaches, my friends, and my family. I did not adjust to this new coaching as well as I had hoped, and I had a hard time balancing my success with my team’s success. But at the same moment, I realized that regardless of whether or not I think I am better than the person across the net, I am going to have to put my head down and work to earn my position on the team. The coaches at your college are not going to care if you’re winning every practice match; they care about you being open-minded to their coaching and most importantly, that you’re supporting each and every teammate including the one you’re competing against.

My advice to you is to start now, and every day leading up to your first college practice. This means constantly cheering on your teammates, high fiving them when they do something good, or pumping them up when they need the encouragement. It doesn’t matter if you had a bad day at school, or there’s something on your mind; your coaches and your teammates chose you to be on that team, so you better be the best teammate you can be. College tennis is a whole new sport because now you’re playing for more than just yourself. You are now playing for an entire team, for the pride of your school, and for the many college tennis teams that came before you. Luckily, I learned quickly the importance of team and was able to apply that to my tennis.

Overall, I had a pretty successful first term, winning my region in doubles and being able to compete at nationals in California. It was a big honor for me to represent Dartmouth at the national level, and a feeling I will never forget. College tennis is something amazing but it’s just one component of your college experience. As far as school is concerned, I would advise you to take classes that you’re interested in because when you’re passionate about the class, school is so enjoyable.

Something that really shocked me about school is that doing homework is one of my favorite things. That sounds extremely nerdy but I promise that if you choose classes that really interest you, those late nights in the library are so fun and worth it. In terms of school work, I also suggest you completing your assignments the day they’re assigned because being a student-athlete, sleep is extremely important. It is also a huge relief to know you’re ahead in school when you have upcoming tournaments or dual matches.

My piece of advice when it comes to the social aspect of college is to be willing to meet all types of people, especially outside of the tennis team. When you go to school, you are surrounded by people with all different types of ethnicities, beliefs, experiences etc. I have only been to college for ten weeks but have already met some of the most interesting people who I know will add great value to my life.

The last thing I can tell you is to really appreciate the relationships you have at home and at ATA. With that being said, try your hardest to strengthen those as best you can before you leave. I went through some terrible days extremely homesick and I promise there’s nothing more you want than to be able to call your friends, coaches, and family. I was struggling on the tennis court because I wasn’t playing the way I wanted to be playing, but luckily Coach Doug and Coach Dio were two people who really helped me get back to where I needed to be. Another thing that may be helpful is to ask your private coach at ATA to develop a good relationship with your future college coach. Your ATA coach knows your tennis game, and you as a person better than your college coach so with that help, you will really benefit yourself well when you’re struggling. That very thing is what makes the Austin Tennis Academy special and if you take advantage of the special people around you, you will always have them when you need them the most.

Good luck to everyone in the upcoming tournaments and in the college search!

Abigail

Pictures From The Annual Walk For Water Event At ATA

The Austin Tennis Academy players, parents, and coaches participated in the annual Walk For Water event on the ATA campus yesterday afternoon as part of the 2017 Playing For Glimmer campaign.

The group carried jerry cans full of water on a course around the facility designed to mimic what women and girls in rural Ethiopia do daily to fetch water, oftentimes walking for hours on much tougher terrain carrying 40-pounds at a time.

After the walk, the group came together to watch a short video on ATA alum Breck Spencer, who traveled to Ethiopia and experienced the actual walk for water:

Breck and Donna’s Walk for Water | March 7, 2012 from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.

Many ATA students have created their own campaigns to help contribute to the overall ATA effort. After watching the video, Coach Newman encouraged all students to get involved in some way.

Learn more about the overall Playing For Glimmer Campaign here. Scroll down to view all of the student campaigns.

Below is a gallery of pictures from the 2017 Walk For Water at ATA.

Gallery Notice : Images have either not been selected or couldn't be found

Clark, Luke, Emerson and Sophia Qualify Over The Weekend

Four ATA Academy players – Clark White, Luke Riezebeek, Emerson Hammes and Sophia Maier – qualified into the next competitive division of USTA Texas junior tennis last weekend. Clark and Luke won their way into SuperChamps, while Emerson and Sophia worked their way into the Champs division.

“Emerson and Sophia have both done a great job so far this year!” Coach Brandon Davis said. “They have really put in the hard work and have been willing to make changes in their games that have helped their improvement rate go through the roof. You can see every week they keep getting better and better. I am looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish in the future, with continued hard work and dedication they will be winning big events down the road!”

Coach Brian Notis offered his thoughts on Luke and Clark:

“Less than 2 months after his 11th birthday, Luke put it all together to win the Austin CMZ. Luke has worked really hard to improve the quality of his ball and become rock solid. He is trusting his game more and competing well even when he’s not playing his best.

By his own admission, Clark’s accomplishment this weekend comes ahead of schedule. Clark has worked extremely hard to make significant technical improvements in his game over the past few months and is beginning to trust himself to hit a bigger ball and dictate play more. Clark is engaged in his own development at a level very few 12-year-olds are and it shows in his progress.

I’m really proud of both Luke and Clark for working hard to reach their goals and know both will be ready to dive into new challenges. Watch out for both these guys in supers!”

Huge congratulations to Sophia, Emerson, Clark, and Luke! Keep it up!!

You’re Invited! ATA Walk For Water This Wednesday 5pm

As part of the 2017 Playing for Glimmer Campaign, players, coaches and families of ATA (Austin Tennis Academy) are participating in the annual ATA Walk for Water on Wednesday, Dec 6 at 5:00 p.m. We will meet at the creek behind ATA and kids and adults can take a turn carrying water in red Jerry cans.

The Walk for Water is a way to experience what life is like for women and girls in Ethiopia who fetch water daily for their village, oftentimes walking several hours with a jug or jerry can weighing close to 40 pounds!

The ATA has helped Glimmer of Hope for many years and several families have traveled to Ethiopia to see completed projects (water wells, schools and health posts) that were funded by ATA efforts.

Former ATA student Breck Spencer visited Ethiopia and took the actual walk; you can see his video here:

https://vimeo.com/38044208

In addition to raising awareness through the Walk for Water, several players are raising funds for this year’s Playing for Glimmer Campaign, click here to see them all.

https://glimmer.org/campaign/playing-glimmer-ata

We hope to see you on Wednesday!

Alumni Updates: Meghan O’Malley Checks In From U.S. Naval Academy

Greetings from Annapolis and the US Naval Academy! I hope that you and the entire ATA community are doing well!

We are in the midst of Beat Army Week – it’s a fun, intense week full of crazy pranks and “spirit missions” in the middle of the night, all leading up to the game on Saturday in Philadelphia. The game represents an exciting day for Navy and Army Football as well as our country.

I’ve been pretty busy these past 18 months! My Academy experience started on I-Day in June 2016, with Plebe Summer – six weeks of the most strenuous physical and mental training I had ever encountered. As tough as it was, I felt prepared because of my time at ATA. I took with me the mental training tools I learned from our ATA coaches and practiced on the court.

As tough as Plebe summer was, my Plebe Academic year (or Freshman Year) was tougher. I balanced taking 20 credit hours with military and tennis team requirements. Academics at the USNA are very challenging and like nothing I’d ever experienced. My first week of chemistry covered what I experienced during an entire semester in high school. The focus is on math and science, and while I’m a Political Science major, I still must take 4 semesters of chemistry, physics, and calculus. Midshipmen are required to graduate in four years so typically midshipmen take 18-20 credit hours each semester. There are no breaks for athletes.

Playing tennis for the Navy is a dream come true, but where it was my focus in high school, it is now a very small part of my overall Academy experience. Our practices are much shorter than other teams primarily because of the military and academic requirements. I’ve come to appreciate what the coaches at ATA always told us. Playing tennis is a privilege and I am fortunate to be able to this as well as my experience at ATA and College Prep to prepare me for life beyond tennis. I use the lessons I’ve learned on the tennis court to position me to achieve success in all aspects of my life.

Military requirements are a huge part of my Academy life. Not only do I take classes like navigation and seamanship, but I have real military duties like standing watch, marching in parades, and training exercises. During my Plebe (freshman) Year, I was at the con of a Naval Vessel, sailing in the Chesapeake Bay.

Last summer, I spent a month on the USS Normandy, a navy cruiser in our Atlantic Fleet. I lived and worked among enlisted men and women and saw first-hand the dedication and hard work required to keep our Navy strong. I learned that a Navy ship can be a very complex and dangerous place to work and if I am to lead in our fleet effectively, I must understand, respect, and appreciate even the lowest ranking members of our Navy. Their success will determine my success, and more importantly, keep us safe in dangerous situations.

As for life as Midshipman, I am part of the USNA student body, called the Brigade of Midshipman. I am part of a company, and I will live on a floor with my company mates for all four years of my time here. We are a team, accountable as a group to each other and to the entire student body of Midshipmen. If one person makes a mistake, we are all punished. We take care of each other and the bonds we have formed are stronger because of it. This year, I have a leadership role in my company which has been a tremendous learning opportunity for me.

As I think back to the last 18 months, I know that I would not be here if it weren’t for ATA. I remember sitting down with Coach Newman when I was accepted to ATA’s Academy program as a 10-year-old. He talked to me about dreaming big and working hard. Those two things enabled me to be here. I think back to all of my lessons with Coach Doug, Coach Kendall, and the teachers at CP. I carry so many lessons with me. Believing that I belong is huge. It’s important to get the little things right. Doing the right thing matters – even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching. Here I’ve had to work harder than I’ve ever worked.

To the players of ATA, I have some advice. Appreciate each moment you are there, even the times that are tough. Challenge yourself as it will prepare you for the next steps in life. Appreciate and commit to your journey. Define success, don’t let success define you. Take care of your teammates. Wear the ATA shirts with pride; they represent that you are part of something greater than yourself. Dream Big.

Go Navy! Beat Army!!

Meghan O’Malley

Alumni Updates: Marcus Sweeney Checks In From Wesleyan

Dear Coach Newman and ATA,

I hope that the past months have treated everyone well. I have been doing my best to follow along with tournament results, practice MVP’s, and of course college commitments from ATA players online. Very exciting! As for my tennis, the fall tennis season ended a few weeks ago, so now we are in the offseason. What this means is that coaches are not allowed to supervise or run practice from now until we return in January. However, with strong senior leadership and a very ambitious team, it is expected that we play tennis indoors 5 times a week, whether it be full team sessions or in smaller groups, and to be in the gym 4-5 times a week as well. My classes require a lot of hard work and a couple hours of TA (teacher’s assistant) sessions every week to complete the workload, but I am enjoying it nonetheless. At the moment, I am on track to graduate with a double major in Economics and Physics, with a concentration in Government. I am also writing this email to answer some questions that Coach Newman gave to my fellow graduates and me. Coach Newman asked each of us,

What would I have done differently as a junior tennis player to be more ready for college?

What are the things that are most surprising about college and college tennis?

What advice would you give junior tennis players in preparation for college tennis/ for college in general?

As a junior player, I believe that having played many times within a team environment has been very beneficial to my collegiate readiness. Whether it be high school tennis, a team competition on a Friday, or TEXAS CUP!!!, everyone should be making conscious efforts to encourage their team members. It was astounding to me the number of top 10 nationally ranked division three teams that are extremely below average in supporting their teammates while playing tournament matches. Another major thing I realized shortly after beginning team practices and private lessons in college is that ATA has an extremely knowledgeable coaching staff. As a junior player, I wish that I had more often communicated with my coaches about slight things to work on within my game, so as to have the utmost clarity of my strengths, weaknesses, tactics, and areas to improve upon heading into college.

What is most surprising about college for me, aside from how complicated a washing machine is, is that now more than ever, you get out exactly what you put in. The extra amounts of responsibility and freedom are both a blessing and a curse- it is imperative that you find time to complete your schoolwork before choosing to go out to party on a weekend (not that I do this of course). College is full of distractions, and at an institution such as Wesleyan, you cannot afford to get behind in your studies. So far, I feel that I’ve done a great job with staying on top of my academics, and I’m even more excited for what lies ahead. As for college tennis, I have been very surprised at how amazing our team culture has been here. It was very surprising to me at our fall tournaments how much more connected we seemed than the other schools there. If we were between matches at a tournament, we were expected to actively cheer on our teammates and represent ourselves well. I believe we won many close matches against some amazing players from other schools due to the fact that our player had unrelenting support with each point.

For junior players preparing for college tennis or college in general, I would advise that you make the most of your time at ATA, which has an incredible culture of players coaches and staff that will effectively prepare you for college responsibilities & the highest level of collegiate tennis. I also must stress the importance of being very proactive with your communication towards college coaches- replying quickly to emails (I’m aware of the irony in this situation) and making it clear that you are very interested in the school and tennis program is something that college coaches love to hear and it will separate you from the other recruits. If you are ever unsure of what to say, you can always reach out to the ATA coaches or ATA alumni such as myself for help.

I am beyond content with my college selection, and could not be more thankful for the support from everyone throughout my junior career and now into my collegiate one.

Best regards, and would love to hear from you!

Marcus Sweeney

Alumni Updates: Alej Rodriguez Checks In From UChicago

Hi Coach Newman,

I hope everyone at ATA is well. Here is a quick update in response to your question on the transition from junior player to college athlete.

To begin with, the freedom one is given in college is much different than the freedom one has as a high school student. Accountability is placed solely on you for virtually every aspect of life, whereas in high school adult figures play a role in most day to day activities you partake in. Because there is no longer a parent or teacher making sure you are doing what you need to do, it is very important to learn how to prioritize your assignments and schedule them accordingly. For this reason, I would advise younger students to find ways to plan their day such as using calendar apps or day planners, as this is a very useful skill to have in college.

In terms of the practice environment, the transition to college from ATA has been very easy. Similar to ATA, the emphasis revolves around improvement as a team and everyone is very encouraging to those they are practicing with. The main difference is that this encouragement is more verbal than at ATA, and I would urge current ATA players to start practicing this type of engagement with those on their court as well as those on courts around them. Every collegiate practice is loud from start to finish, and it is important that you can contribute to that type of atmosphere comfortably and confidently.

I have felt very prepared to face the challenges that arise throughout college life due to my time at ATA and ATA CP, and I am confident current players will feel the same once they begin their collegiate journey.

Best wishes to everyone in the ATA community.

Sincerely,

Alejandro Rodriguez

Alumni Updates: CP’s Chase Bartlett Checks In From St. Ed’s

Coach Newman,

I hope that both you and the rest of the ATA community are doing well. I am emailing you just to give a brief update on how my third semester at St. Edward’s University has gone thus far.

It has been a busy semester, to say the least. I have been taking 18 credit hours but it has been very manageable; I have still hung on to the 4.0. In fact, I’m upset that I still have a 4.0. As busy as I have been the past year, I am growing frustrated and concerned that I am wasting my time as a student-athlete if I do not allow myself to fail. I have become more committed to growing as a person, which I think is only possible if I challenge myself to fall beyond what I am capable of. With that being said, I have decided to attempt to double major in Theology and English and I have picked up a German minor as well. In hopes of completing this, I am planning to study abroad in German this coming summer.

As far as tennis is concerned, I have also seen some improvement. My time at ATA this summer helped me improve a lot. To speak in tennis language, I think my UTR went up at least half a point in the three tournaments that I played. Unfortunately, I had two absolutely heartbreaking losses in Regionals—I worked extremely hard to prepare myself to win that tournament and I ended up losing close matches in the quarterfinals of both singles and doubles. It served as a reminder for me that it is all about the process and not the result; as a player, I prepared the best I could and even did the best job controlling the things that I could control at regionals itself, it just wasn’t enough. It was out of my control. I think I am currently ranked in singles and no. 3 in doubles in the region.

Outside of tennis and school, I have gotten involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and am one of the two representatives of the tennis team. While I first joined for the intent of having it on my résumé, I am now considering getting more involved in it and trying to make a difference in how the teams at St. Edward’s University interact with each other and how we can impact our community.

As I write, I am in Washington D.C. at the National Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. Out of all three divisions, there are about 460,000 student-athletes in NCAA competition, and only 300 get invited. I am the only athlete from St. Edward’s to attend this year (and I believe that there is only one other baseball player who came from my conference). I have gotten to meet some of the best leaders from the biggest conferences like PAC 12 and Big Ten, as well as many of the leaders from lesser known schools in the country. Let me just say—being a good leader has absolutely nothing to do with your athletic ability. There is nothing that differentiates these students in any way.

I am here until Sunday evening, but if there is anything I have learned thus far it’s that good leaders do NOT have to be good at everything. They do, however, need to be great at doing what they do well. Each of the students I have met this weekend has values that are different than mine and they are proficient in different areas; biologically, their minds work differently and their personalities give them different strengths. However, that is unimportant because they are all exceptional leaders in their own ways. Each and every one of them maximizes what they are good at, and it’s never about them—it’s always about their team and their community. I’m sure I’ll be taught many more lessons over the next few days and I hope to bring them back to my team and the other teams at St. Eds in some way or another.

Regards

Chase Bartlett

Two Weeks Of Winter Tennis Camp At ATA – Sign Up Now!

2017 Winter Tennis Training Camps

This Winter, your child can take advantage of the Austin Tennis Academy’s Winter Camps to progress at a rapid rate. The camps are designed to provide the greatest development of your child’s physical, mental, technical, and tactical performance levels.

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Dates:

Week 1 – December 26th, 2017 – December 29th, 2017

Week 2 – January 1st, 2018 – January 5th, 2018

Times:

QuickStart Camp 9:00am – 10:30am (age 5-8)
Morning Camp 9:00am – 12:00pm (All levels)

Tournament Tough Training Camp 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Cost:

QuickStart Camp Week 1 (Tue – Fri): $140/week ($40/day drop-in)

QuickStart Camp Week 2: $175/week ($40/day drop-in)

Morning Camp Week 1 (Tue – Fri): $250/week ($80/day drop-in)

Morning Camp Week 2: $275/week ($80/day drop-in)

Tournament Tough Training Camp Week 1 (Tue – Fri): $300/week ($90/day drop-in)

Tournament Tough Training Camp Week 2: $375/week ($90/day drop-in)

Quick Start Camp

9:00am – 10:30am
The Quick Start tennis format used by the Austin Tennis Academy gives kids the opportunity to rally a ball over the net and learn to play points as quickly as possible – all in a fun environment. Our coaches recognize the importance of starting kids off well, and with success. The ATA was instrumental in developing this groundbreaking nationwide program and served as the pilot program for the USTA. This program uses the appropriate size racquet, court and ball to allow kids to do more – faster! Suggested Age: 5-8 years old

Morning Camp

9:00am – 12:00pm
Players will improve their game by learning fundamental skills, practicing game situations, and improving overall movement. Using the latest techniques and international innovations, players learn valuable athletic skills for tennis and other sports.

Afternoon “Tournament Tough” Camp

1:00pm-4:00pm
Tournament players will improve their game by using competitive game situations, technical training and point play, as well as movement and flexibility training. ATA Academy players will be training at this time.

Policies

Registration must be made online.
Payment in advance is required to reserve your slot. An administrative fee of $50 will be applied for cancellations.
ATA camps are held rain or shine. Indoor sessions are held in the event of inclement weather.
No refunds or make-ups for days missed.
Weekly rate applies to that particular week only (no carryover).
Medical Release and Hold Harmless must be filled out online.
Players may leave credit card on file to cover pro shop purchases, lunch, etc.
ATA does not offer housing. Private housing may be available. Email info@austintennisacademy.com to inquire.
Prompt pick-up is expected. Early drop-off and late pick-up is available upon request for $50 per week.

Photos From The 2017 ATA Scholarship Shootout

What a fantastic weekend! This year’s Grand Slam Shootout Pro-Am was chock full of fun. From Danny Walker’s stories at the Shootout Party at the Sonesta Friday evening to Larry Whitson’s 17th appearance in the event, to 20 first time Shootout players, to the fantastic tennis played by current players and coaches, ATA, St Stephen’s and Fretz program alumni players.

The live auction was a blast and the silent auction finished strong. Our fundraising looks to be one of our strongest years in the past 10 year’s shootouts.

Thank you to everyone who supported and participated. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Life-long friends and doubles partners Jeff Offerdahl and Chase Curry joined forces for a strong alumni team.

Sydney Williams and her dad teamed up as one of many parent-child teams this weekend.

Ryan Berber joined forces with Josh Hagar to form another strong ATA alumni team.

Tyler Anson and Laura Schlockman high five after one of many high-quality points.

To see many more pictures, head over to the ATA Facebook page!

2017 ATA Scholarship Shootout – THIS WEEKEND

The 2017 Austin Tennis Academy Scholarship Shootout is THIS WEEKEND! On Friday, the community will convene for an evening of fun including dinner & drinks, silent and live auction items, team announcements and auctions and much more, all at the Sonesta Hotel beginning at 5:30. On Saturday, the Pro-Am Doubles Calcutta tennis tournament will serve it up on the ATA courts bright and early and will unfold through the day.

The entire weekend benefits the Austin Athletic Scholarship Foundation, providing need-based financial aid for the wonderful programming that happens year-round at the Austin Tennis Academy.

To get you excited, here are a few pictures from the doubles action last year:

ATA CEO Jack Newman springs into a kick serve during the finals with partner Bailey Forgus at the net.

ATA College Prep student Callie Creath and partner Chad Loup are all smiles after winning a long point.

ATA College Prep student Juan De Dios Abboud and his father teamed up at line 1 doubles.

Academy player Marcus Sweeney joined forces with his father to create a dynamic duo on the court last weekend.

ATA’s Brian Notis joined forces with his student and Academy player Blaine Kanak for the doubles event.

We hope to see all of you this weekend at the 17th annual ATA Scholarship Shootout!

Josh Hagar talks Glimmer impact, kicks off new campaign

A foundational principle of the Austin Tennis Academy culture is giving back. The staff works to surround all students with opportunities to participate in and contribute to the world around them. Last week, ATA College Prep and recent Notre Dame graduate Josh Hagar joined Academy practice to tell his story of spearheading the Playing For Glimmer Campaign, while urging the next generation to step up and get involved.

“No program I’ve ever been a part of anywhere in the world has something like this where they acknowledge where they are and try to do something to give back,” explained Hagar, who is now playing tennis professionally. “I’m here to talk to all of you about kicking off this year’s campaign.”

ATA has set the goal to raise $100,000 to go towards a new school and 3 new water wells in the villages of Gondar. This is the next step in a pledge ATA CEO Jack Newman made to A Glimmer of Hope about 12 years ago to raise $1 million for those most in need in rural Ethiopia. The campaign recently surpassed $600,000 of the $1 million goal.

Santiago Montoya, an ATA alum and current part of the Glimmer team, explained how every dollar makes a difference.

“Ethiopia is around 100 million people, 80 million live outside of the city. 30 million of those are living on under $1 per day,” Santi said. “Those are the people we are helping.”

By partnering with Glimmer, the community will send 100{37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9} of the money raised to these school and clean water projects.

“The power of clean water – combined with a quality education – means that hundreds of children will have the opportunity to thrive. The projects funded by the Austin Tennis Academy will make an immediate and lasting difference as part of Glimmer’s work in the Villages of Gondar.” – Glimmer.org

After introducing Josh, Coach Newman closed the discussion by again urging each Academy player to consider participating.

“My goal is that everyone has a campaign page,” Newman said. “Whatever the dollar amount you raise is immaterial. I would like each of you to get engaged and do something.”

Take a look at the overall ATA campaign page for this year by clicking here, and scroll through some of the campaign pages started by ATA students towards the bottom.

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