Congrats...

In addition to your Clippers, also making the trip to the Sweet 16 are our friends from Kutztown representing the Atlantic Region and Queens College joining us as representatives of the East Region. Congratulations to both squads and best of luck going forward. I look forward to our first unsanctioned coaches meeting.

In other great news, the Concordia Women's team has also qualified for the Sweet 16. Coaches Kela and Kylene and the ladies will also be traveling to the Hilton in Altamonte Springs.

See you all soon.

Nuff said...

Off to Orlando...

The bus continues to travel. This time we are off to the National Final 16 held just outside of Orlando, FL in Altamonte Springs. Yes it's time to make the flight arrangements as we defeated Philadelphia University for the fourth time this season 5-0 in today's NCAA East #1 Regional Final (click here for box score).

Unlike our last meeting with the Rams when they came out sky high and full of energy and really pushed us back, we were more business today and got off to a solid start on all three doubles courts as we sailed to a 3-0 lead. The good start was key today as Philly seemed to lose their belief early on in the match. The team really poured it on in the singles matches as all courts were dominating for the Clippers. Tamas and Andreas closed out the day as both nailed down 6-0, 6-0 wins, or as my pal Pepe would say, two bicycles! However, that being said, big congrats to Coach Cha and the Rams on a great season. I know that good things are in store for Philly U. tennis in the future. We will do our best to represent our CACC in Florida. We hope you will follow and support us as we try to do something special next week.

Up next for the Clippers in the "Sweet 16" will be #29 ranked BYU Hawai'i, the #2 seed out of the West Region. In my opinion, BYU is under-rated and playing much better than their rank indicates. They are really a team that should be in the top 20 for sure. They have good experience on the team and I expect that they will be ready to play. We will certainly be ready as well.

We will take off Monday morning and get two days of practice in down south to get accustomed to the conditions. In addition, the players and coaches are treated to a special banquet by the NCAA Tuesday night just prior to the Wednesday competition. The ITA also presents its awards during the banquet and we hope to have a National winner or two perhaps.

A special thanks for all of the love and support throughout the season from so many of you. There are plenty of seats on the bus and this truly is a team effort.

2 down, 4 to go!

Nuff said...

One Down...Five To Go...

Well that's one in the books. We defeated Adelphi University today 5-0 in a race to five in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA II Tennis Championships (click here for boxscore). Windy conditions phased us not as we were able to sweep the doubles allowing just four total games in the three pro-sets. Shorthly thereafter, Andreas and Raphael made quick work of their opponents to capture the victory. It should be noted that all Clippers were leading handily on all courts when the match was decided.


As a result, the Magical Mystery Tour aboard the Clipper Magic Bus continues tomorrow versus Philadelphia University. The Rams were able to dispatch of Merrimack in the other regional semifinal. We are quite familiar with Philadelphia as we have played and defeated them three times this season. Lets hope for the four-pack. Match time is set for 9am 5/7/10.

The winner of tomorrow's match will advance to Orlando, FL for the National Final 16.

Nuff said...

It's Canner Time...

Well folks, it's that time. Yes indeed, it's time for the NCAA Tournament. We will travel to Queens College tomorrow for our round of 64 match versus Coach Canner's Adelphi University Panthers.

As the #1 seed in the bracket, we face off versus the Cannermen who sneaked in as the #8 seed squeaking by Chestnut Hill College in somewhat of a surprise to me. Match time is 2pm. In the event of rain, the match will be played indoors at our house in Bronxville, NY.

Adelphi played to a 9-7 record this season and fell 5-0 to Bentley University in the NE-10 semifinal. Of course we are familiar with the Panthers as we were both long time members of the ECC/NYCAC prior to this year's adjustments. Last season we coasted by AU 9-0 in a match in which we played shorthanded. With any good fortune, we will have a similar result tomorrow and advance to the regional final to play the winner of the #4 Merrimack vs. #5 Philadelphia contest. The winner of the regional final will advance to the National final 16 to be played in Orlando, FL. Last year we advanced to Orlando and lost in the National semi-final to Barry University.

I really hope the magic bus travels all the way to the National Championship next week.

Wish us well.

Nuff said.

ITA Awards Announced 2010...

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has announced their 2010 Awards for both NCAA II Men and Women (click here for complete list). This year your Concordia Clippers are well represented on both East Regional lists. The National awards will be announced May 11th at the banquet just prior to the National Final 16 in Orlando, FL. I hope both teams will be on hand to witness the event.

Alex Grubin - Senior Player of the Year

Andreas Lindell - Rookie Player of the Year

Daniel Rockhill - Assistant Coach of the Year

For the Women:

Senior Player of the Year - Cristina Oliveira

Assistant Coach of the Year - Kylene Murray

With any good luck, there may be a few Clippers honored with a National Award this year. In my humble opinion, it would be a travesty if Alex is not named the National Senior Player of the Year.

Congratulations to those recognized and best of luck in the NCAA Tournament.

Nuff said...

Sports Nutrition...

Recently, quite a few student athletes have approached me and expressed an interest in sports nutrition. Specifically they wonder what and how much to eat and when to eat it. This is very important for today's student athlete. I promise to address this issue in a future post and am certainly willing to work with individual athletes to help them achieve their personal goals. However, as for now, I am only able to recommend the Brazilian BBQ diet.

So tasty!
Too much eaten and nuff said...

NCAA Regional Brackets Announced...

In a bit of a surprise, the Clippers will face off in the first round against former ECC conference foe Adelphi University. Rounds 1 and 2 will be played at Queens College (NY) May 6th and 7th (click here for regional bracket).

If you are free, hop on the magic bus and come on over the Throgs Neck Bridge to QC and support the Clippers.

Nuff said...

Magical Mystery Tour...

Nuff said...

Coming soon to tennis courts near you...

Leaving Bronxville 5/7/10. Hop on board and enjoy the ride!

Nuff said...

Magic 8 Ball says...

Many Clipper Tennis fans have been asking me about our chances to win the 2010 NCAA National Men's Tennis Championship in May. Since there are so many factors involved, I feel it is best to consult a higher power, the Magic 8 Ball. Simply ask the Magic 8 ball your question and click on it for the answer.


Nuff said...

Athletic Banquet...

Tonight we celebrated athletics and the 2009-2010 year of the student athlete. In what I believe to be the most important athletic function of the year, Concordia held its Sports Awards Dinner, and a good time was had by all.

It is always nice to see the young adults dressed in vestments other than sweats and athletic gear and to present the accomplishments that they have achieved throughout the year. All teams were well represented and it truly has been a good year for sports teams in Clipperville.

As usual John Bahr prepared a fine message which proved to be inspirational. Also, a tasty meal was served just the way I like it...free!!! In the words of Martin Luther King Jr. "The time is always right to do what is right." I must admit that the hard working athletic department staff did a really nice job with the evening and made everyone in attendance feel like they are apart of something special here at the college.

As far as the tennis team is concerned, Coach Neil prepared and delivered his customary 30 minute presentation. Some joke about the length of the Tarangioli production was in the air but I really believe it is important to spend some time praising our tennis family for their many fine accomplishments over the course of the season. People should know about the greatness that they have achieved both on and off the court.

Of course the highlight of every athletic banquet is the presentation of the awards. Andreas Lindell was presented with the Male Freshman of the Year award. Andreas has had a terrific start to his career as a Clipper and we expect great things from him in the future. He is a special young man capable of great success. Also, Alex Grubin was awarded the highest honor the department awards a male student athlete, the Mickey Byrne Award. Always a pleasure to see the Murphy family in attendance to present this special honor. Alex truly deserves this award and we hope it is just the first of many honors to come his way in the next few weeks.

In addition, my new friend Yuliya Plevako of the women's tennis team was presented with the Female Freshman of the Year Award. Yuliya was become famous for her ability to win matches in speedy fashion.

Lastly, and something that is very special to me, Cristina Oliveira of the women's tennis team, received the Esther Petzke Rockhill Award for excellence in women's athletics. As you may have guessed, this award is named for my mother, who established a special tradition of athletics in the Christian tradition here at the college. I really love being able to present this award each year and am really quite pleased when it is presented to such a fine young woman like Cristina. I am very proud of my parents and their contributions to Concordia Athletics and hope that I am able to continue what they started in my own small way.

I seem to have created a monster with my "Magic Bus" theme. That being said, if you are looking for a hobby or for an athletic program to support, hop on the Magic Bus of CC Athletics.

Thanks and congratulations to all of the many fine student athletes and the faculty and staff lending their support. This college has provided so much for me and I really enjoy my mission here and being associated with you all. Best of luck to all graduating seniors. Be well.

I guess that is about all I have tonight.

Nuff said...

Magic Bus...

CACC Champs!!!

Hop on the Magic Bus and celebrate a CACC Championship. The Clippers traveled to Philadelphia once again and captured the title defeating Philadelphia University 5-0 (click here for boxscore).

This finally completes our undefeated 14-0 conference slate which translates into an overall CACC match record of 117-2, or as I like to call it 117-Dane (I am just saying). Philly U. came to play hard today and we are thankful for that. Coach Cha had the Rams fired up and inspired to give their best effort. That they did. We were able to sweep the doubles, but it certainly was the closest group of pro-sets of our three meetings on the year. Wasting little time, Tamas and Andreas cruised in singles to get us to the finish line in the race to five without yielding a point to our opponents. The Clippers were comfortably ahead on all other courts when the racquets went down signifying the victory.

With the Championship, Concordia will now have an automatic bid into the NCAA II tournament in May. It is expected that we will be the #1 seed in the region and a favorite to return to the National Final 16 in Orlando for the 6th consecutive year.

You have to hand it to the CACC as they kindly presented the team with individual plaques and watches as well as a team banner, trophy and plaque displaying our team photo. In addition, we were treated to cheese steaks after the match at Chubby's. Very tasty indeed and just what I needed after a day full of absolutely no exercise whatsoever.

A special thanks to Magic Bus riders Ivan and Erin. We are so pleased that you guys made the trip to lend support and witness the event. Thanks for all of your love and effort throughout the year. We could not enjoy such success without the contributions of the many folks in the athletic department and we hope to make you all proud going forward.

Next up for the Clippers is the annual athletic banquet tomorrow. This is a special event that allows us to celebrate all athletes and their contributions while representing the school. Congratulations in advance to you all and especially those winning major awards.
It has been a season that I will always remember. I have been so blessed over the years to be associated with so many fine folks, both players and staff. I will not soon forget the opportunity to meet and play a role in so many young people's lives. I hope that I have had a positive impact on this program that has meant so much to me. However, that being said we still have some work left to do this season. I hope that the proper dedication and preparation will lead us to our ultimate goal.
It's about time to say nuff said...
Nuff said...

Earth Day...

I am off to Philadelphia in just a short while for the CACC final. However, you do not have to be a Clipper tennis fan to respect the earth...our home. Yes that's right, today is Earth Day, a day to celebrate the environment. As a result, I wish you all a Happy Earth Day! Today is a special day to promote respect for life on earth and specifically to remember to do your part to prevent pollution of our land, air and water.

Be well everybody.Nuff said...