The Journey Begins...

The students have returned to the classrooms and the players have returned to the courts.  The spring semester is underway and with that, the journey to wherever we are going to end up this season has kicked off.

This time of the year is quite exciting and this year is certainly no different.  We have four new players in the fold this semester and I am eager to determine what each of their contributions will be going forward.

The first week of practice is often telling.  It is pretty easy to uncover a few things by what is observed.  I already know who worked hard over the break and who did very little.  I don't really even need a trained eye to see which players attempted to stay in shape, those that didn't and those that dedicated themselves to improve so as to hit the ground running on day one.  I would love to report that the entire roster was indeed dedicated to the cause, but at this point, we look like a November team.  We have a long way to go and in very little time as we open the season versus NCAA D1 Monmouth University on Saturday, February 16th, just five weeks from today.  However, I really like my team.  I know that we have the potential to accomplish special things in 2013 but the players will have to do the work.

Essentially, we have to come together as a team.  We need to play for each other and fight for every point for each other, whether it be in practice or match play.  We all like each other and get along and so forth, but the bottom line is, we must not have players quitting on points, drills or conditioning exercises.  We need to have an unselfish team.  Unselfish players care more about what the team needs rather than how they feel. Players can say "I’m not selfish" - but, yes, if you skip practices and workouts and you don’t play every point hard and you don’t work your absolute hardest during drills or conditioning, because, by the way, that’s exactly what your teammates need you to do, then you are a selfish player.  If we can find a way to be unselfish and play for each other at all times, we will be very successful.

Let me repeat myself...

I really like my team!

Nuff said...

January Conditioning

Fall Semester Grades

The fall semester grades have been reported and to say the least, I am quite pleased with the results.  As I keep noting here at "the lines are still good", we stress performance in the classroom at Concordia as we are not just a program of athletes but rather, student athletes.

The women's team recorded an excellent team GPA of 3.53.  We have become accustomed to seeing this tremendous achievement from the women but this is still an incredible overall average and certainly noteworthy.   Individually, we had five on the roster achieve a perfect 4.0 for the semester.  Join me in congratulating Yuliya Plevako, Camilla Xavier, Ana Mendes, Nicole Stuhr and Estelle Fougeray for their dedication and accomplishment.

Fresh off of their 2011-2012 ITA All-Academic Team status, the men's team not only kept up the pace but improved GPA-wise.  The fellas also achieved a team GPA of 3.53.  This is the highest semester team GPA for the men since I joined the coaching staff in 1999.  Absolutely wonderful!  In addition, please join along and congratulate David Tisserand on a perfect 4.0 for the term.

Now one might say that both teams registering a 3.53 is quite coincidental.  I agree.  However, to be completely honest, the women outdid the men just fractionally 3.528 to 3.526...not that this is a competition. It will be interesting to see what happens in the spring semester for sure.

I am so very proud of my players for many reasons but this ranks near the top of the list.  Everyone knows that we have great players here but may not be aware of the fact that we also have great people, citizens and students.  Our job as coaches is really just to love all of them and to guide them along the path to becoming successful members of society.  We take that obligation seriously.

It is a great pleasure to be associated with these teams and to have the opportunity to affect young lives in a hopefully positive way.

Nuff said...

Arrivals...

It's always an exciting time.  With the advent of the spring semester just days away, new additions to both teams will be arriving on campus tomorrow.  It's really the culmination of the recruitment process.  After much effort, paperwork, email, phone calls and so forth and so on, new players, who hopefully will be contributing to Concordia tennis, both immediately and for years to come, will finally begin their journey in Clipper blue.

This is the first time we have welcomed so many players in January...four in total.  Both men's and women's team will welcome two new players tomorrow.  Ordinarily, I do not like to add so much for the spring semester as I prefer to recruit student athletes for the fall.  It just seems to work better in total.  However, this time it worked out like this for some reason.  We had the opportunity to bring in a quality of player that was simply too high to pass up. 

We have always had a strong international flavor on both teams and these four new additions are no different.  Specifically, we will add players from Sweden, Slovakia, Brazil and Israel.  This is the first time for Clipper tennis to welcome players from said Slovakia and Israel and I will certainly enjoy learning about their heritage and culture while they are here in NY.  While playing, I spent some time in the Holy Land but never made it to Bratislava.  I suppose that the only time I think much about Bratislava is while watching the movie Eurotrip when the group of characters were mistakenly taken to the Slovakian city in error while hitchhiking.

I look forward to finally meeting the players tomorrow and also sharing more about them with you shortly.  I know that you will be thrilled with their tennis and what they will contribute to our success.  Stay tuned for the official announcements forthcoming with player profiles and video footage.

Nuff said...

Happy New Year 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

All the best to you folks out there in "the lines are still good" land.  It is my pleasure to welcome in 2013 with all of you.  I certainly hope that everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve and that you are now shaking off the celebration "hangover", for lack of a better term.

I had a very nice but small celebration as I once again enjoyed a fantastic meal at one of my favorite restaurants, The Cookery.  After dinner, it was off to former Clipper Sergiu Barbu's place for a little cheer.  In attendance were also former Clippers Neel Roy and Rohan Malhotra along with wives and friends.  It was nice to see Matrix, Sergiu's German Shepherd, dressed up in his tuxedo.

2012 was an interesting year.  So many good things and also some not so good.  For one, I am happy to have the election year behind us.  So much craziness.  Happily, 2012 was a healthier year for my family and I hope that 2013 is even better.  Also, many individual situations were solved that allowed for much improvement.  So thankful.  We are also pleased that Coach Neil's Achilles injury has essentially healed and that he is back to a more active state.  Also, I certainly can not forget the Kentucky Wildcat National Basketball Championship either!  Go Big Blue #BBN.

In addition, so many good things to mention about your Clippers.  Unfortunately, neither team was able to capture a National Championship as those rotten Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic swept the big trophies, but certainly tremendous success was achieved.  I, as most of you know by now, am most proud of the achievement in the classroom.  It is a tremendous accomplishment having both teams qualify as ITA All-Academic Teams and 7 All-Academic Players.  However, there was also the usual success on the court having won both CACC Championships and having players ranked highly within the region and nationally. 

It is always good to examine the past so as to prepare for an even better future and I believe that the future is bright here in Clipperland.  Time will tell us what is in store for 2013 and I hope you will follow along the magic bus ride all the way to Arizona in May.  We have some great people associated with this program and I am blessed to have the opportunity to affect so many people's lives here in Bronxville in a similar, but not nearly as monumental, way as my parents were able to do years ago.

We surpassed 14,000 worldwide readers and 250,000 page views from 116 countries this year here at "the lines are still good" and I wish each and every one of you all a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.  Go out and realize your dreams.  Make great choices.  Love as much as you can.  Hold your head high and smile as life is good.  Together, let's make 2013 a year to remember and the best year of our lives.

Much love to you.

Nuff said...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I am so very pleased to wish you all Season's Greetings.  This is always a wonderful time of the year.  I love the Christmas Spirit and it's true meaning.  I am not sure I like the cold temperatures but something about a "White Christmas"; the possibility of snow in the forecast warms the heart.

Bronxville, NY is such a beautiful small town.  How wonderful to take a walk or short drive about the surroundings of the college to see the Christmas Spirit alive and well.  Houses decorated in such a way that the night is lit up without the need for street lights.  Also, the sounds of church bells ringing and voices singing Christmas Carols in the distance.  Fantastic.

I am glad that the players had the opportunity to travel to destinations full of family or have family visit here in New York.  I certainly hope that everyone is enjoying their time with their families as, at the end of the day, family is what really especially matters at this time of the year.

I hope that all of my loyal readers worldwide have a Merry Christmas and enjoy everything that the season offers.  I look forward to seeing many of you again soon.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Nuff said...

Selecting a Uniform...

We are undertaking the arduous task of selecting uniforms for the upcoming season.  We always ask the team for suggestions and their opinions concerning this as they are the ones wearing them and they must be comfortable.  Naturally, we would like to look mighty sharp while representing the college.  Below is a possible combination. 

 

 Nuff said...

Take Your Pick...

Or just maybe it is this one below?

Nuff said...

A Time For Prayer...

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night and give your angels charge over those who sleep.  Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and for all your love's sake.

- George Baum

Amen

It's the end of the semester as we know it...(click the title)

End of the semester greetings everyone!!!

No more homework, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks.  Players have survived 12/12/12, have taken their finals and many have already boarded planes headed home for the holidays. 

This is always a bit of a tough time for a coach.  Even though one gets a little break from the teams and subsequent practices, matches, strength and conditioning sessions and so on, there is also a downside.  I guess I am always a little concerned about this month off.  I am keenly aware that for us to be successful in May, we must continue with our preparation.  This is not always easy as the players must do this on their own mostly.  There are certainly the temptations to relax more than usual and to avoid tennis and conditioning in favor of reconnecting with friends and family.  As fortune would have it, the players have received a reasonable conditioning packet for the break which will not only keep them in shape but will also enhance their fitness levels and ensure that we hit the ground running in January upon our return to the courts.  I know that the team desires to be special this year and I am therefore certain that all will judiciously follow the program.  I have this trust.  We are a players first program and that must also mean that the players want to win and are willing to do the work. 

I too will be preparing.  I celebrated just a little too much this past Thanksgiving and have grown larger.  The team will see a new and improved Coach when they return for the spring semester.  You have my word.  Now, I am not saying that I will be joining them for the plyos but I will be fitting into my uniform for sure.  I guarantee it.

I wish everyone safe travels.

Nuff said...

Christmas Season Tennis...

Final Exam Week...

Well it's that time of the semester.  The end of the term is near and that means final exams.  As frequent readers know, we are very proud of our academics here in Clipperville.  I pretty much take any opportunity to boast about last year's ITA All-Academic team status achieved by both squads and having seven ITA Scholar Athletes.

With that being said, please join me in wishing all of our fine student athletes good luck as they take their exams.  We hope to make being recognized for strong academic performance a tradition here with Concordia Tennis.

Nuff said...

Former Clipper Cristiano Borrelli '04 (right) and girlfriend Sonaira (left) with Roger...

The End...

Well folks, that's all she wrote for the fall semester as far as tennis is concerned.  According to NCAA legislation, Rule 17.1.6.2.5 in case you were wondering, just a small paragraph of the ridiculously cumbersome and over-bearing 358 page finely printed 2012-2013 NCAA manual, countable athletically related activity (CARA) must cease after 11/30/12, yesterday.  Essentially, the NCAA decrees that no supervised athletic activities in our sport may take place from one week prior to our final exam period through the end of the semester.

Of course, it is becoming increasingly difficult to remember my college days but as I recall, I was a pretty decent student.  I approached my studies, and especially final exams, seriously.  Further, we expect our student athletes to succeed in the classroom as demonstrated in both teams achieving ITA All Academic status last season.  However, I am pretty certain that I did not completely cease all other activity so as to prepare.  In fact, I thought is was important to continue with my conditioning and/or athletics to clear my mind and to relieve any stress that may have accumulated.  Well, sadly, the NCAA feels that 6 weekly hours of plyometric conditioning out of 168 total hours in the week is unreasonable and far too taxing.  Oh well...

That being said, our conditioning segment was quite successful as the players have performed well and have shown  measurable increases.  The team surely understands that their fitness is, and will be, vital next semester.  We will play top competition and need to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally for the grind which hopefully culminates in Surprise, Arizona and near 100 F degree temperatures.  We are still learning and thankfully it is only December.  I like my team this year and think we have a chance to be special in May if we prepare properly.  

Some of the key notions that have been stressed:

• the importance of playing every point hard / not taking points off
• closing time / finishing strong
• never quitting 
• playing for each other and being an unselfish teammate 

A special shout out to Clipper alum Doug O'Connell '89.  My good friend and former teammate has challenged himself to train side-by-side with the fellas and has represented the 45 and overs well.  It has been a pleasure to have him with us and he has added something special to the sessions.  The team looks forward to having Doug involved in the spring.  I think they especially like hearing some of the old stories of my playing days including my always respectful behavior and interactions with the coach...

Other notes:

• I received a call from former Clipper Henning Ruenz this week.  Henning is back in Germany and currently working for Volkswagen.  He sends his regards to everyone and looks forward to returning to campus in the near future.

• The team looks forward to the arrival of 2 players next semester.  More on that to come later...

• Our women's team will also have some key additions.  Announcements forthcoming.  I have had so much fun coaching on the women's side and look forward to advancing our ranking.

Well, that's all for now Clipper-nation.  Check back frequently for updates and by all means join this site as a follower for improved access.  

Nuff said...