Veteran Coach Chad Loup Joins ATA’s All-Star Coaching Staff

Austin Tennis Academy has hired veteran junior coach Chad Loup to become the latest addition to its all-star coaching staff, CEO Jack Newman announced last week.

“ATA is fortunate to have been able to hire Chad Loup, whose experiences include being a head tennis professional, a highly ranked player, as well as someone who is plugged into the Texas and USTA tennis communities,” Newman said. “His skill set will allow him to help ATA in all elements of our programs. His high energy coaching will be appreciated by any student he works with.”

Chad grew up playing competitive tennis in Humble, Texas. While studying Economics at the University of Texas, he worked for the Competitive Department of USTA Texas until 2011. Chad administered Regional Training Center Player Development Camps, as well as recruited coaches and players for USTA National Teams.

Coach Loup celebrates with ATACP’s Callie Creath during the 2016 ATA Scholarship Shootout

In 2011, Chad left the USTA to coach full time at Lost Creek Country Club, where he helped develop a junior program that was a leader in Ten and Under Tennis in Texas. Chad has served on numerous USTA Texas committees, including the Executive Committee and the Junior Tennis Council.

“I am thrilled to join the Austin Tennis Academy,” Loup said. “I have worked directly with ATA players, coaches, and parents for many years due to my involvement with USTA Player Development, as a Zonals Coach, and as a Tournament Director. Joining this team has been a wonderful transition because of my close relationships with the great staff here and the players who I have been fortunate enough to watch grow up.”

Outside of tennis and cheering for Houston pro sports teams, Chad keeps himself busy with a number of hobbies. On a weekend off, you might find Chad playing golf, seeing live music, catching a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, trying new restaurants, camping, going to his families ranch, scuba diving, wake surfing, or just spending as much time as possible with his family and friends.

“I am so thankful for how kind and welcoming all of the ATA players and parents have already been, and I look forward to building new relationships within the community,” Chad said.

Coach Loup will work with most or all of the programs, ages and skill levels while he gets up and running at ATA.

“I plan to use my diverse tennis background to simply complement what I believe is one of the most experienced and passionate team of coaches in the country,” Loup said. “Mostly, I am looking forward to helping spread the ATA mission, and helping the players here grow as people and citizens of significance, as well as myself.”

ATA Parent & Student Meeting – The College Process

Next Tuesday evening, ATA CEO Jack Newman and ATA College Prep Director Carol Hagar will present an introduction to the college process for the student-athlete and parent. The presentation will begin at 6 pm, finishing with an open Q&A session.

“If you are the parent of a sophomore or junior who would like to play college tennis, or any high age student who is interested in learning more about how the college process works, please join us for an informational meeting,” ATA CEO Jack Newman said.

One of Austin Tennis Academy’s major goals as an organization is to help its players maximize their college choice. Academy and CP students have access to expert resources, services, and guidance to help each navigate the college recruiting and application processes.

“Each year, college-bound student-athletes should assess their goals and associated actions to determine if they are on track to lead to the desired futures,” Hagar said. “We offer educational workshops like this each year for parents and students to learn more and to ask questions about future possibilities.”

ATA has a proven track record of helping players to obtain college scholarships or to leverage their college choice. The community, led by Newman and Hagar, has earned tremendous success at helping players attend some of the most elite colleges and universities in the nation. Recent grads have gone on to Notre Dame, Princeton, Amherst, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna, University of Virginia, University of Chicago, Dartmouth as well as the Air Force and Naval Academies and several more.

We look forward to seeing you on the evening of the 28th in the ATA Fitness Center!

ATA Community Celebrates Chiu, Rodriguez, Hamilton at Signing Ceremony

The Austin Tennis Academy community came together last Wednesday evening to celebrate three ATA College Prep seniors: Abigail Chiu, Alejandro Rodriguez and Wilson Hamilton.

“This is one of ATA’s most important rituals,” ATA CEO Jack Newman said.

Newman explained that these rituals serve many purposes: they help make big changes – like transitioning to college – a little more manageable, they allow for the transmission of values and beliefs from our seniors to all of the JD and JA kids sitting up front, they contribute to the program identity, and they facilitate coordination between players, families and our community.

“I am certain that Abigail Chiu sat up here when she was very young and watched signing ceremonies, just like these kids are today,” Newman said.

The evening unfolded with the community celebrating the seniors one at a time, with a pair of coaches talking on behalf of the student, followed by a speech from each of the soon-to-be graduates. The group started with Wilson Hamilton who committed to Trinity University. Coach Luka, Wilson’s primary coach, said a few words on his behalf:

After Coach Luka’s speech and another by Coach Newman, Wilson addressed the group with his own personal message:

After Wilson signed his papers, the focus switched to Alejandro Rodriguez, who committed to the University of Chicago. Here is his message to the community:

After Alej signed his papers, Coach Dio and Coach Doug Davis spoke on behalf of Abigail Chiu, who committed to Dartmouth University. Here is Abigail’s speech to the group:

After all of the memories, thank-you’s, tears, and cheers, the community stuck around to share three cakes together – each decorated with one of the three logos of the schools celebrated throughout the evening.

For three seniors whose families all moved to Austin to be able to attend the Austin Tennis Academy, there was one common thread, one lasting sentiment in the speeches – it is the people, the community, the relationships that make the Austin Tennis Academy a special place.

“Tennis is a sport that will only take you so far, and if there is one thing I learned through the process, it’s that it is not about all of the titles you win, but rather about the people you get to experience it all with. If I think back to my happiest moments, it isn’t winning a Gold ball, it was getting to play with this amazing team,” Abigail said.

Texas Cup – ATA v Lakes – Recap, Pictures, Stories

This past weekend, ATA welcomed the Lakes Tennis Academy from the Dallas area for a Texas-Cup-style dual match. ATA came out on top 49-46 in one of the closest Texas Cups in the history of the 17-year competition.

“That was an absolutely epic weekend of competition!” Coach Brandon Davis said.

The Texas Cup format is similar to college tennis – very exciting, loud, spectator friendly tennis that feels more like a rowdy football game. The top 12 boys and girls from both academies played against each other in a round-robin format within 3 tiered groups of 4 that total 96 matches over 2 days.

Unlimited on-court coaching is allowed, with noisemakers, war paint, roaming bands of fans that impact matches like never seen in normal tennis events.

Academy, JA, JD, QS players, parents, and friends were there to support well into the evening in cold temperatures!

During Academy practice on Tuesday afternoon, the group paused for cake and ice cream after sharing positive, exciting, encouraging stories to celebrate the accomplishment.

Here are some of the highlights:

…Bottom 4 guys, Bailey, Garrett, Blaine, and Kyler, went undefeated – the first time in Texas Cup history a group goes 16-0….

…Marcus also went undefeated….

…overcoming match points that weren’t converted only to win in the third set…

…Daniela overcame two first-set losses to win twice…

‘I loved seeing Kyler go 4-0 – he really thrived in that environment.’

‘Abigail G really encouraged me and helped me pull in out when I was having a tough match.’

“I just loved the guest coaches. 1 little guy comes on to AJ’s match and at the end of the changeover says, ‘remember, it’s about having fun.’ AJ went on to win 4 straight games. I had multiple parents of those guys tell me that you guys are their real idols – that they look up to you guys, and you did a great job.”

‘You know how loud Max was on Saturday because he showed up Sunday with zero voice but still was there supporting through the last match.”

“I loved seeing our kids in uniforms – it was a sea of black and a sea of red – we were so connected – so together. It was amazing to see.”

“I am so proud of our players and coaches for all of the work and spirit they put in throughout the weekend!” Coach Davis said. “All of the credit goes to them. A truly inspiring performance by all.”

Live Webinar On Helping Kids Manage Stress in Sports – SIGN UP

Below please find more information about your invitation to a live webinar hosted by our friend David Benzel titled HELPING CHILDREN MANAGE STRESS IN SPORTS. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, March 21 at 9p.m. EST and will last 45 minutes plus Q&A. Register below!

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Invitation to a Growing Champions for Life

Live Webinar – hosted by David Benzel

Helping Children Manage Stress in Sports

Tuesday

March 21, 2017

9 p.m. Eastern

45 minutes plus Q&A

Register Now to reserve your spot for this FREE event

All athletes endure stress in sports, but why do some children have less, or handle what they have so much better than others? Identify the primary stressors in your child’s life, at school, in sports, and socially. Learn about the hidden resources your children already have available. Discover how to use three strategies for coping with sport-related stress and greatly reduce the side effects of not dealing with stress properly. Your child’s body, mind, and spirit will thank you later!

You will learn how to:

Identify primary stressors.
Use effective strategies for coping with stress and reduce the negative effects.
Gain the necessary skills for embracing stress so as to live a productive, satisfying, and happy life in a complex world.

David will connect the key life skills of the lesson with winning on the field, and in life. The PowerPoint materials are loaded with practical information worth saving for future reference.

Do you know someone who could benefit from this webinar? Feel free to forward this invitation on to them.

Thank you for participating and for helping Growing Champions for Life promote a healthy environment for growing confident principle-centered competitors.

David Benzel, Founder
Growing Champions for Life

(352) 267-5344

www.growingchampionsforlife.com

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Coach Loup celebrates with ATACP’s Callie Creath during the 2016 ATA Scholarship Shootout

Invitation to a Growing Champions for Life Live Webinar – hosted by David Benzel

Helping Children Manage Stress in Sports

Invitation to a Growing Champions for Life

Live Webinar – hosted by David Benzel