Dec. 19, 2006
Montgomery, Ala. -
Head Tennis Coach Bernard Sewell attended the 22nd annual Intercollegiate Tennis Associations (ITA) Coaches Convention at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, December 14-17.
Nearly, 300 men's and women's college tennis coaches at all levels gathered for this year's convention at Doral. The four-day convention was highlighted by some of the most influential people in the sport of tennis. Among this year's clinicians were: renowned sports psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr, ESPN tennis analyst Cliff Dysdale, tennis legend Stan Smith and legendary coaches Nick Bollettir and Dennis Van der Meer.
"The convention is always a very exciting time of the year for our Coaches Association," ITA Executive Director David A. Benjamin said, "Besides being able to take in great clinics and workshops at a beautiful resort in a great city, the coaches also have a forum to meet and discuss the important issues within college tennis."
Among the convention highlights are a membership and awards banquet on Dec. 15 honoring the 2006 Wilson/ITA National Coaches of the Year and the USTA/ITA National Community Service and Campus Recreation Award winners. Luke Jensen was this year's featured speaker. Jensen, who is in his first season as the Women's coach at Syracuse University, was an ITA All-American at Southern California and went on to win the 1993 French Open doubles title with his brother Murphy. He conducts more than 70 charity, seminar and tennis clinics around the world each year an is a regular on the airwaves, including ESPN's tennis telecasts.
As the governing body of collegiate tennis the ITA promotes both the athletic and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, which was founded in 1956 and is based in Skillman, N.J., administrators numerous regional and national championships, the ITA Collegiate Summer Circuit, presented by the USTA, and the Fila Rankings for men's and women's tennis at the NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA and Junior College levels. The ITA also has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership and sportsmanship. The official ITA website is www.itatennis.com.