Jr Tennis – Page 5 – AUSTIN TENNIS ACADEMY

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2020 SHOOTOUT

This year’s Shootout will mark the 20th anniversary of the marquee fundraising event for Austin Athletics Scholarship Foundation. Despite the COVID pandemic, we’re pulling out all the stops in an effort to make this year the best one yet! To do that, we’re turning our traditional banquet into an online virtual party the evening of Friday, October 23. That’s right… you can be part of the festivities without leaving home, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to get all dressed up because you’re still going to see and be seen.

The tennis part of The Shootout, don’t worry, will still be live and in person on Saturday, October 24. Following the glitz and glamour of Friday night’s festivities in the virtual world, all the action and FUNdraising move to the real world, specifically to the courts at Austin Tennis Academy, where you might say money talks from the end of a tennis racquet.

Along with raising money to support deserving student-athletes, there’s even more reason to attend this year’s Shootout. We’re going to be celebrating another milestone that weekend; this year is Jack Newman’s 40th anniversary as a tennis coach, impacting lives on and off the court. To help us salute this incredible man, we want as many of Jack’s former students from Fretz Tennis Center, St. Stephens, and Austin Tennis Academy as well as current players and friends to be at Friday night’s virtual event.

Even though there’s lots of work still to be done pulling together this giant shindig, you can click here to glean a few more details about what we’ve got planned for this year’s 20th Anniversary Shootout. If your company would like to be involved in supporting AASF, we’d love to hear from you. Click here to check out the sponsorship opportunities.

That’s A Wrap!

Hundreds tuned in to the virtual world to watch ATA’s End of Year Party and Academy Awards presentation. Coach Newman hosted the event with each ATA coach getting the opportunity to talk about their primary students who won awards.

Below is the list of the 2020 ATA Award Recipients:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD: Juan Abboud, Nico Jamison, Caroline Wernli, and Abigail Gorden

FORCE-MULTIPLIER LEADERSHIP AWARD: Juan Abboud, Abigail Gorden

COMPETITOR AWARD: James Cockrell, Mega Dania, Anushka Dania, Caroline Wernli, and Charlotte Wernli

WORK ETHIC AWARD: Denver Holden, Elliot Wasserman, Maddie Wasserman, and Sasha Malysheva

AMBASSADOR AWARD: Kenna Erickson and Sam Seder

SPIRIT OF ATA AWARD: Johnny Snell and Anna Soto

STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARD: Jaclyn Cockrell and Michael Malyshev

MENTOR AWARD: Sydney Williams, Keanna Moon, and Nico Jamison

MOST IMPROVED AWARD: Hayden Williams, Cole Killian, Jack Ingram, and Coco Wu

PARENT OF THE YEAR AWARD: Jon Erickson

COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD: Josh Rifkin

Congratulations to each of the award winners!

If you weren’t able to watch the event live, click here to view it on demand. Now, if you only want to watch the 2020 End of Year Video, then click here.

Catching Up With…

What is your name and where do you currently live?
My name is Hunter Bleser and I am currently residing in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Which years did you attend ATA and/or ATA CP?
I attended ATA and ATA CP starting summer of 2015 and graduated in the Spring/Summer of 2016. However, I have been working at ATA since the summer of 2017.

Which college do you attend; when do you graduate and what will your degree be in?
I graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English and did not return to UVA to pursue my bachelors in nursing. I decided to take my fifth year at West Virginia University where I am finishing up prerequisites for nursing school. I was recently accepted to Duke’s Accelerated Bachelor’s of Nursing Program, so I will be moving to Durham once I complete my year here at WVU.

How did you feel about graduating earlier this year?
It was bittersweet. I was excited to move on to a new chapter in my life. On the other hand, I said good-bye to a sport I have known and loved for 18 years and leaving a group of phenomenal girls with whom I have spent the last four years of my life. They have become part of my family and it’s hard to say goodbye to family, but I am excited to see what they end up doing. I know it will be difficult putting away the rackets, but I know it definitely won’t be a permanent break.

Is there a big takeaway you’ve discovered from the process you’ve been going through in regards to finding employment or making a career decision post-college?
One thing I have noticed with applying for jobs and post-graduate programs is that admissions committees and employers find it very impressive if a candidate is a student-athlete. For future advice, I would say take advantage of all the hard work you have put in and use that title because you have earned that title. They want to know that you were successful on court and in school because it shows them you are disciplined and have incredible time management skills. The athletic side will attest to your competitive nature and desire for improvement.

If you could go back to your junior tennis career, would there be anything you would do differently or would tell your younger self?
If I could go back and tell my younger self a piece of advice it would be to start making it a habit of doing the little things. The little things can range from making sure you are actually stretching after practice, going out and hitting serves, developing good eating habits, getting sleep, etc. Looking back, I wish that I would have been more disciplined in these small areas because now it separates the good from the great from the exceptional.

What was your most memorable moment or significant highlight in college and/or playing college tennis?
For me, there is one memory that sticks out in my college career: our first dual match of the season my first (freshman) year. We were playing Boston College and the match got tied 3-3, it came down to my court. I was able to clinch it at 6-4 in the third. That match was significant for me not only because it was my first time to clinch a match, but that feeling of my teammates rushing towards me in excitement and celebration reminded me of why I chose college tennis.

Looking back, what would you say is the biggest impact your time at ATA has had on your life?
The biggest impact ATA had on my life was that it made me come out of my comfort zone. I would say that the people there helped me grow into a stronger individual and made me step up into leadership roles. Before, I was very content in hiding in the background and keeping my head down. Now I am much more comfortable taking responsibility and holding myself and my teammates accountable. I know what it means to be a leader on and off the court, and I know what it takes to help not only myself, but my team prosper. Without their guidance, I would not have become the individual I am today.

Who is your favorite professional tennis player?
My favorite male tennis player would be Federer. My favorite female tennis player was Maria Sharapova.

What’s the best piece of advice given to you by one of your coaches?
“If you’re not a leader on the bench, don’t call yourself a leader on the court. You’re either a leader everywhere or nowhere.”

Did you have any superstitions in your junior/collegiate tennis career and if so, what are they?
When I was in juniors I was very superstitious about what I would eat. If I had a certain dinner the night before and won the next day, that would be my meal for the rest of the weekend. The same would apply to breakfast, lunch, snacks, etc. It would even get to the point where I would make sure the quantity matched up every time. I would also never where a shirt again if I had lost in it previously.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to junior players regarding going through the college selection process?
One piece of advice I would give junior players regarding the college selection process is choose a school that fits you and you could see yourself going to. Don’t choose a school just because they may be high-ranked athletically or academically superior unless that is what will make you happy. Ultimately, you are the one who is going to be there so the decision should be entirely yours.

It’s Time For ATA’s Academy Awards & End Of Year Party

While 2020 is turning out to be anything but predictable, there is one thing we can count on: that nothing is going to be like what it’s been in previous years and that holds true for ATA’s End of Year Party. This year, thanks to Covid19, the party is happening in the virtual world. However, other than everyone not being able to get together in person, you can expect to experience everything you’ve come to love about this annual event: the awards, the speeches, the surprises, the laughs, the music, the memories, and the end of year video.

Mark your calendars and set an alarm so you can tune in to watch Sunday night (August 23) at 7:00 PM CST right from the comfort and air conditioning of your own home.

Click here for the link needed to join the party. The passcode is R60xaU.

SUMMER SEMIS EXTENDED

Our altered summer tennis camps have gone extremely well so far. Our coaches have done an amazing job of establishing and implementing precautions to continue offering camps as safely as possible.

As many school plans and vacations are still up in the air, we’ve decided to continue the Summer Semis through the end of August by adding three weeks of camps.

Week 11: Aug 10-13

Week 12: Aug 17-20

Week 13 Aug 24-27

Check out the summer camps page here on our website for more information or you can click here to sign up for any of the remaining weeks. We’ve capped the number of spots each week to adhere with social distancing, so grab your spot soon!

Catching Up With…

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

ATA Alum Joins The Texas Longhorns

Payton Holden, an all-conference honoree from Princeton University and an Austin native, will join with the Longhorns as a graduate transfer for the 2020-21 season, head coach Bruce Berque announced today. Holden earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton in economics.

“During his four years at Princeton, Payton excelled both in the classroom and on the court, distinguishing himself as one of the better doubles players in the country,” Berque said. “His coaches at Princeton speak glowingly of his leadership, and we are thrilled that he will bring his skills and experience back to Austin for his final year of college tennis, and to pursue a master’s degree in accounting at the McCombs School of Business. We can’t wait to get started with Payton and the rest of the team in August.”

“I am really excited to come back to Austin and become a Longhorn,” Holden said. “I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to continue my education and athletics at such an amazing school.”

Holden has been spending quite a bit of time on court at ATA so far this summer hitting with junior players and working on his own game.

This past season, Holden was ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in doubles with partner Ryan Seggerman, spending six weeks in the top 10, peaking at No. 6 in February and finishing at No. 16. Holden led Princeton in doubles wins, finishing with a 26-8 overall record, including 15-3 in dual matches, as he and Seggerman defeated six ranked doubles teams. Holden went 4-4 in singles with a 4-0 record in dual matches.

Due to the shortened season, the Ivy League did not issue its annual conference awards, however Princeton was on pace for one of its better finishes in school history. The Tigers began the season with a 14-4 record that included wins over No. 31 Middle Tennessee State, No. 44 Auburn and No. 46 Arizona with two of their losses coming to top-20 opponents in No. 14 NC State and No. 19 Ole Miss.

During the 2018-19 season, Holden helped Princeton tie a school record with 20 team wins. He was named a first-team All-Ivy League doubles honoree with Seggerman, reaching as high as No. 17 in the ITA rankings in mid-April. The duo qualified for the NCAA Doubles Championships and defeated No. 4 Oli Nolan and Henry Patten of UNC-Asheville in the first round, which was Princeton’s first win in the event since 2001. Holden and Seggerman faced five top-40 doubles opponents in Ivy play and defeated four of them, highlighted by a win over No. 7 Charlie Broom and David Horneffer of Dartmouth. Overall, Holden registered a 17-14 doubles record, including a 15-9 mark in dual matches, and a 6-7 singles record, including 4-3 in dual match play.

The previous season, Holden helped Princeton to 18 team wins, going 12-10 overall in singles with a 10-8 record in dual matches, and 17-11 overall in doubles with a 16-9 dual match mark. While as a freshman, he led the team with 20 overall singles wins, including eight in dual match play, and ranked No. 101 in February of that year. He also led the team with 25 doubles wins, going 13-10 in dual matches.

Prior to Princeton, the Austin native attended the Austin Tennis Academy and ATA College Prep, and ranked as the No. 1 player in Texas in U12s, U14s, U16s, U18s. He was a Junior Team Tennis National Champion and five-star recruit according to TennisRecruiting.net.

Log In Today @ 4:00 PM

On the heels of yesterday’s announcement that USTA tournaments will start back up in July and registration for Texas junior tournaments will open just after midnight Monday morning, Coach Brian Notis wants to provide guidance and clarification to the ATA community. Today at 4:00 PM, Coach Notis will hold a virtual meeting on Zoom for parents and players.

This will be a quick 30-minute meeting with Coach Notis presenting 10-15 minutes worth of important information with the remainder of time to answer questions. Below is a list of topics to be covered:

July USTA tournaments – SCMZ, CMZ, Challengers – what opportunities are available to our players? How do we take full advantage of those opportunities?
New rules in 2020
Limited Draw Sizes
- Age-Up
- Doubles (No doubles in July)
- What’s happening in August? Sept? Etc.
Value of UTR tournaments going forward
National tournaments
Transitioning to 2021
Questions

An email was sent out early this morning from Coach Newman which provided the link for this afternoon’s virtual meeting. Parents and players should check their emails to retrieve that link.

You’re Invited to Attend Virtual Graduation Ceremony

Graduation will be held Thursday, June 11, for Austin Tennis Academy College Prep’s Class of 2020. In light of the COVID19 pandemic, ATA CP seniors will participate in a live, virtual ceremony while gathering with their family members at home.

Technology will be used to bring the seniors, family members, and friends together in a live, virtual setting to watch and hear graduate addresses, guest speakers, commemorative videos, diploma presentations, tassel turning, and the passage of leadership to the class of 2021.

All you have to do to get a front row seat to the festivities, right from your very own home, is click on this Zoom Webinar link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86324969689

The evening kicks off at 6 PM CST with an Art Exhibit followed by the official graduation ceremony beginning at 6:45 PM.

ATA’s Summer Tennis Programs Begin June 1

Registration is now open for parents to sign up their child to attend one week, or even multiple weeks, of our summer tennis programs. The first week for our morning tennis sessions, which are for children ages 6-12, kicks off Monday, June 1.

In light of the COVID19 situation, ATA has made a lot of changes to its summer camps in order to ensure a safe and fun environment for kids. One of those changes is the name; instead of camps, we’re calling them Summer Semis. Click here to read more about those changes, as well as to register your child.

Meanwhile, ATA’s afternoon Tournament Tough Semis got underway today. Just like the morning sessions, there have also been a number of changes and safety protocols implemented for this afternoon program. Along with on-court practices, tournament-level players will be able to attend daily virtual fitness sessions and virtual mental training sessions.

For the first two weeks, the afternoon sessions will be available only to current ATA Academy players. After that, Coach Jack Newman will evaluate opening them up. If your child is interested in attending ATA’s Tournament Tough Semis, send an email request to Deb.Cahill@austintennisacademy.com.

Coach Newman Provides Insight Into ATA’s Summer Programs

Parents and players are bound to have additional questions, even more concerns, regarding summer activities for their kids in light of the COVID19 situation. Coach Jack Newman, owner and CEO of Austin Tennis Academy, wanted to provide in-depth answers into the way ATA will be operating summer programs, as well as some insight that may help explain the whys behind various decisions.

The 14 short videos listed below provide those answers and insights. Coach Newman talks about the Morning Summer Semis sessions in first four videos; information discussed in the fifth and sixth video applies to both morning and afternoon sessions; the remaining videos cover Afternoon Academy sessions. Simply click on the video title to view each video.

Coach Newman Q&A Videos List

Morning Summer Semis
What Kids Need to Bring
What Happens On Fridays
The Benefits We’ve Seen

Safety Guidelines & Contact Tracing
ATA’s Offerings Will Evolve Over the Summer

Afternoon Academy Sessions
How This Summer Is Different
Making Every Group Competitive
How Players Change Groups
Recognizing the Challenges
A Plan For Competition
Opportunities For Leadership Growth
Things In Our New Normal

Click here for more information on Summer Semis and to register your child.

ATA Pro Shop To Begin Special Summertime Hours

Memorial Day ushers in summer hours for the pro shop at the Austin Tennis Academy. Starting Monday, the pro shop will be open weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 8:45 AM until 4:30 PM.

On the weekends, the hours the pro shop will be open will vary depending on tournaments and other ATA events. Patrons should also be aware that shop hours may vary, or the shop may close during inclement weather.

If you have any questions, call the ATA Pro Shop at 512.276.2271.

ATA’s May Newsletter Is In Your Inbox

ATA’s latest newsletter went out late this afternoon. The digital document is loaded with, among other things, information about summer tennis, summer courses being provided by ATA College Prep, a preview of graduation ceremonies for ATACP seniors, and the Alumni Spotlight featuring Jeffrey Offerdahl.

This is the fifth edition since launching the ATA Newsletter back in January and is sent to members of the ATA community. However, if didn’t receive your copy be sure to look in your junk mail folder and mark the newsletter as coming from a safe sender. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, send you request to media@austintennisacademy.com and we’ll get you added.

Click here to view ATA’s May Newsletter.

iTPA Publishes Article from Coach Josh Rifkin

The International Tennis Performance Association published, in the latest edition of its online monthly magazine, a guest article from none other than our very own Coach Josh. The iTPA is the leader in tennis fitness, performance, education and tennis certification.

Rifkin’s article focuses on core training specifically for tennis athletes. Click here to see/read his article.

ATA Hosts Prize Money Austin UTR Open May 30/31

Registration is underway for one of the first tennis competition events to be held in the Austin area since the shutdown started back in March. The co-ed level-based singles event will be held at Austin Tennis Academy May 30-31 with numerous safety protocols in place.

Protocols being put into place to help players and spectators stay as safe as possible include:

Players will check-in for matches and report scores via text
Players need to wait in their car for their match to be called to minimize the number of players at the site at one time
Four new balls (2 with different numbers) will be left on the court for the players for each new match
Wipes will be available for players to sanitize their bench
Once match is finished, balls should be left on court and score reported via text
One spectator allowed per player

To read the full list of protocols, get more detailed information about the event, or register to play, click here.

A Glimpse Inside Summer Offerings For ATA & ATA College Prep

Even though a few details are still being ironed out when it comes to what Austin Tennis Academy will be serving up in lieu of summer camps, things are far enough along to give a little preview of what’s coming this summer for tennis as well as classes being offered by ATA College Prep.

From the beginning of the shutdown caused by Covid19, ATA has proven its ability to react, adapt, and create from scratch innovative ways to help junior players continue to move forward – first from home and then finding a way to safely conduct practices on court. Numerous parents have expressed their appreciation to Coach Jack Newman for his strong leadership, as well as a proactive approach by him and all the coaches for creating new virtual programming which not only kept kids engaged, but also held them accountable during these challenging times.

While practices have moved back on court, physical distancing and other safety protocols remain a top priority. And those realities of what you might call the ‘new normal’ are driving how ATA will operate this summer. Just about everything will be different from past summers; from the size of group practices to the number of coaches involved to a new name for our summer camps. It’s all being revamped.

SUMMER TENNIS

Instead of camps, we’re calling them Summer Semis. And that should give you some idea of the kid-to-coach ratio ATA plans to use this summer. A professional coach will be on each court working with only 4-5 children in order to maintain recommended physical distancing. There will be two different levels offered in the mornings: QuickStart Summer Semis for 6-8 year olds and Orange/Green Summer Semis for 8-11 year olds. The afternoon Summer Semis sessions will be for Academy-level players. Along with providing an environment that’s as safe as possible, smaller group sizes translate into more playing time and more one-on-one attention which yield greater progress in skill development. And let’s not forget about fun. Our coaches make learning and playing tennis fun!

SUMMER EDUCATIONAL COURSES

ATA College Prep plans to provide two ‘Train Your Brain’ sessions over the summer months. Whether your child wants to get ahead, strengthen foundational skills, or keep their mind engaged, ATACP will feed their love of learning.

There will be at least 9 classes offered during the first ‘Train Your Brain’ session from June 15-July 9 and probably 10 classes during the second ‘Train Your Brain’ session from July 13-August 6. There will also be a full Geometry course for original high school credit (instructor approval required) which will run from June 1 – August 7. Each of the courses will be taught by expert instructors, limited in size (2-6 students), and available via Zoom or on campus with protocols in place for physical safety and distancing.

ATA has a lot going on this summer. Full details on tennis sessions and academic courses should be released by early next week (week of May 18). On-line registration will open at the same time.

National Clay Courts Cancelled/Suspension Extended

Below is the latest update from USTA released on May 15, 2020.

Due to the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and after discussions with the USTA Medical Advisory Committee*, the USTA has suspended USTA sanctioned products and events through May 31. This includes:

• Adult and Junior Tournaments
• USTA League
• USTA Junior Team Tennis
• Team Challenge
• Team Tournaments
• USTA Schools programs
• Tennis on Campus
• Wheelchair events

Additionally, recognizing the evolving and fast-changing nature of this situation, the USTA will continue to monitor and assess conditions to make future determinations about events and activities taking place after May 31.

All Category 1 and Super Category 2 National Adult Tournaments with an ITF status, all ITF Junior events, all Adults Category 2 and Category 3 tournaments, all Wheelchair L1 – L3 events, and all USTA Pro Circuit events will align with the same calendar as the ITF and be suspended through July 31. The ATP has also suspended events through July 31, while the WTA has suspended select events in July. In addition, the USTA has made the decision, separately, to cancel the 2020 National Clay Court Championships scheduled for July 11-19, and which would have taken place in seven cities across three states.

“The impact of COVID-19 has been felt across the tennis landscape, and it is our goal to ensure that the sport is able to be played in a safe and healthy fashion at the parks and facilities throughout the country once the pandemic subsides,” said Patrick Galbraith, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “One of the greatest aspects of this game is that it fosters a true community, and we look forward to the time when we can return to our local courts and use tennis to unite us all, once again.”

The determination has also been made to suspend the calculation and publication of the National Standings List (NSL) for Adult, Junior and Wheelchair play until further notice. The NSL published on March 18 will serve as the most current until tournament competition resumes.

We’re Keeping Safety Top of Mind For Players & Coaches

Multiple Awards Earned By ATA College Prep Alum

Leadership and how to be a good leader is one of the core lessons coaches at Austin Tennis Academy and teachers at ATA College Prep want their students to learn; and those lessons were not lost on Chase Bartlett. As he gets ready to graduate from St. Edward’s University, Bartlett is being recognized for his leadership on the tennis court as well as on campus.

SEU Athletics announced Chase Bartlett is the recipient of its OUTSTANDING MALE SENIOR AWARD. According to the university, an education from St. Edward’s stands for a tradition in academic excellence, diversity, collaboration and service to others. The Athletics Department wants to enable student-athletes to represent those traditions through academic excellence, teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship, the courage to take risks and community service. The outstanding senior award is presented to the male and female student-athlete who has best personified the sum of these values.

“Chase is the dream athlete,” said Men’s Tennis Head Coach Estevam Strecker. “He is coachable while being extremely hands-on with his own success. His ability to dissect his own game and apply the information into a plan is unparalleled. He is a great team leader, being vocal when he needs to and being a great listener when asked. For the past four years, Chase has made a huge positive difference in the program and his legacy will be felt for years to come.”

Bartlett’s leadership on campus has been widely noted. He was elected president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the last two years. He also completed over 150 hours of community service during his time as an SEU student.

SEU Athletics also announced that Bartlett earned the 2020 Emma Lou Linn Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award for having the highest cumulative GPA among all graduating male student athletes at SEU. He’ll graduate with a 3.99 GPA.

Back in April, Bartlett received the University’s 2020 Presidential Award along with eleven other students. The Presidential Award is given to outstanding seniors from the undergraduate, graduate and New College programs who embody the principles of the university’s Holy Cross tradition and mission, and have demonstrated excellence in leadership, academic performance and service to the university and other communities.

The Frisco native was named an ITA Scholar-Athlete all four years. Bartlett was a member of St. Edward’s Honors Program, Martin’s Scholar’s Program, Religious Studies Honors Society and Alpha Phi Omega.

On the court, Bartlett guided the men’s tennis program to a No. 6 ranking in a shortened 2019-20 season. He earned two All-America honors this spring, receiving mention for his abilities in both singles and doubles competition. He helped the Hilltoppers to two conference titles and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Bartlett also qualified for the ITA National Tournament twice.

ATA College Prep Hasn’t Missed A Beat

In a few short weeks, the school year will be officially over for students who attend Austin Tennis Academy College Prep. Seniors will get to participate in their graduation ceremony; teachers will issue ‘regular’ final grades; students and teachers alike will begin their summer vacations. Unfortunately, those will not be the same scenarios experienced by millions of school kids across Texas, or even the rest of the country, due to the sweeping shut down caused by the Novel Coronavirus.

“Impressively, we have not missed a beat,” said Carol Hagar, Head of School. In spite of the shutdown, ATA College Prep students have not missed any classes. That feat can be attributed to the nimbleness of Hagar and her staff, as well as a bit of fortunate timing. On March 23, when the shelter in place order was issued, CP was on Spring Break and before leaving for the nearly three-week break (just in case) students were required to take home all of their books and supplies.

As soon as it became clear students would not be able to physically return to school, the CP staff wasted no time coming up with a game plan for continuing classes remotely. Thanks to the staff’s resourcefulness and use of current technology, making the move from teaching in the classroom to teaching at home was a seamless one. “Because we had been utilizing live streaming of classes for traveling students, most were familiar with the technology,” said Hagar. “We did a few tutorials for Zoom, GoogleDocs, and FlipGrid; and these tools have kept our community connected emotionally and intellectually, even though we are apart physically.”

“The beauty of Zoom is that students and instructors can still see each other and participate in the personal, meaningful conversations and Socratic dialog that is such a powerful part of our community culture and curriculum.” Along with keeping the community connected, there was another area Hagar and CP teachers believed critical for their students. ‘We chose to keep the same class schedule and to stay in the normal rhythm that we had all become accustomed to which has also helped with the ease of transition,” said Hagar. “As a school, we continue to meet in the mornings for Leadership and current events, and each student has a writing coach they can regularly connect with as they work through their research.”

CP made the transition to virtual classes a month ago, and so far, things have been running smoothly. Academic content will be completed as planned and on schedule; feedback from parents and students has been positive and appreciative; and, by all accounts, CP will finish the school year strong.

Those accomplishments trigger a sense of pride for the CP team, however, the revelations that surface during challenging times may provide the greatest insight into the ‘real’ work they do. “The personal connection and care inherent in this community of leaders have developed attributes in our students that are carrying them through this challenging period and that is a glimpse into how they will handle bigger challenges later in life.’ said Hagar. “Honesty, resiliency, positivity, work ethic, and eagerness to excel are all within them and because of that, we will keep moving forward regardless of temporary obstacles.”

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