Recruiting trip to San Juan...

Hola! Making the extreme sacrifice, I have traveled south to the island of Puerto Rico and am staying in San Juan. Of course, as far as the IRS is concerned, I make this trip to search out the best prospective student athletes to fortify my team for next season. Yeah sure, a deductible recruiting trip, wouldn’t that be swell.

Of course, I know that the team is happy as Coach Tarangioli has taken over the conditioning sessions. In his advanced age, the "kinder and gentler" Coach Neil has emerged and is quite a bit softer on the fellas than yours truly. In any event, the fitness program, laden with plyometric drills and a heck of a lot of running, is just what we need to escalate our conditioning to a level comparable with the top teams in the nation.

Time sure flies. It is already approaching mid February. It is hard to believe that many of the southern teams will begin their slate this week. This, of course, is quite a disadvantage to us as they are able to play in the out-of-doors while we are not able to do so until we arrive in Florida for our spring trip...just two days prior to our first match versus the number two squad in the country, Barry University.

It is truly an exciting time for a new team equipped with several new players from many lands. It has been quite enjoyable to see the group bond together, and also, to witness their progress on the court.

A few items of note:

We will travel down to Queens College on Friday, 2/19 to see our friend Coach Schwartz and his players for a pre-season festival of tennis. We have been competing in practice against ourselves but it will be good for the players to get some sets in with another team. Also, we have our season and home opener scheduled for Sunday, 2/21 versus Monmouth College, with the action scheduled to begin at 2pm. The Clippers were able to coast past the Muhawks, coached by my old college foe, Mickey Cook, last season 7-0. As the superbowl will mark the completion of the NFL season this Sunday, 2/7, I expect that you all will have plenty of Sunday time to stop by the Meyers Tennis Center and support the team. Hope to see you there.

Hasta luego, nuff said...