December 3, 2008

Smith's Christine Davis Receives USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award

Northampton, Mass.: Smith College tennis coach, Christine Davis, is the New England region recipient of the USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award. The award, which Davis also received in 2004 and 2005, honors an ITA coach who has done an outstanding job implementing recreational tennis programs on campus in an effort to grow tennis participation.

Previous programs organized by Davis have included Faculty/Staff Tennis, Precision Tennis, Cardiotennis, Doubles Night and Open Student and Community Tennis. Programs that earned Davis the award this year included "Twilight Tennis", "Bootcamp Tennis", "No Commitment Tennis", "Reserve Training Squad", "Open Instructional Tennis Sessions" and "Summer Tennis at Smith."

"Twilight tennis", which is held on the outdoor courts during the fall and spring, is open to the Smith and surrounding communities. The Friday night tennis, under the lights, is run by members of the Smith tennis team. Assistant coach Erica Hollot organized and administers the "No Commitment" tennis that began in November and will run until classes end in December. Held on Wednesday nights, "no commitment" is open to all Smith students. A 'stroke a week' is taught in the first half hour followed by singles and doubles play for an additional hour. The "reserve training squad" is run by a dedicated volunteer and began four years ago on a grant from the USTA. This program is designed for students who wish to play but who may need to perfect tennis skills before considering trying out for the team or who are unable to make the time commitment to the intercollegiate team.

Summer tennis at Smith operates from late May through August. This comprehensive tennis program provides "drop-in" opportunities for the Smith and community tennis players every weekday and special events and tournaments on the weekends. A "kid's night out" every Friday offers instruction and pizza to the area children and Smith dependents. Tennis at Smith is run by Deedie Steele, graduate of the Smith Exercise and Sport Studies (ESS)master's program, tennis instructor for ESS Classes and volunteer assistant coach for the Smith team.

Davis offered "Bootcamp Tennis" this fall at noontime once a week. A take-off of Cardiotennis, Bootcamp Tennis allowed students, as well as faculty and staff, an opportunity for a 30-40 minute intense ball machine workout within training heart rate zone with a ten minute warm-up and cool down on each end. "Open Instructional Tennis" is currently being offered by Davis to Smith students, with special encouragement to attend for those taking ESS tennis classes. The PTR teaching protocal is being used for the sessions on Thursdays and/or Fridays, November through December.

"We have tried to offer a variety of tennis opportunities on the Smith College campus in oder to meet the needs of our tennis community", stated Davis. "Our hope is continue to grow enthusiasm for this lifetime sport on our campus. Our dedicated tennis volunteers and tennis instructors give their time to help make the majority of these programs possible. They provide their energy as well as their enthusiasm necessary to create a friendly, fun environment for all participants."