Austin Tennis Academy News

March 18, 2009

ATA Athletes Achieve Academically and Beyond

To those unfamiliar with the culture of the Austin Tennis Academy, it might appear as if the tennis academy program might prioritize an athletes’ on court performance at the expense of everything in its way. School, family and anything else are treated as mere requirements that take time away from on-court training. At the Austin Tennis Academy, however, this conviction couldn’t be farther from correct.

The mission of Austin Tennis Academy states that it is a program dedicated to developing students to their fullest potential in tennis, academics and character. In and through the game of tennis, students pursue excellence in life. Academic performance is connected to athletic performance.

There is no better way to exemplify this uncommon attribute than by examining some of the students produced through the program. Their work in the classroom and the community, on top of on-court success, illustrates exactly the fulfillment of this academy’s mission.

Kate and Claire Cahill have been in the ATA program for 8 years, dedicating upwards of 20 hours a week. While both have become impressive athletes, it’s their academic success that truly sets them apart. Kate is ranked number 7 in a class of more than 400 students. Her dedication to achieve academically has earned her a grade point average of over 104. Claire is ranked number 27 in the same class, and has worked toward a GPA of over 101.

“I have really bought into the concept that this is a program where not only are we becoming better tennis players, but better people and students,” Claire said.

These extraordinary academic achievements are expected of the athletes at ATA. On-court success is simply a byproduct of a well-rounded individual. Personal achievement is not measured in one area, like athletics; rather, one is evaluated as a person. Tennis is a tool for teaching lessons that apply to all areas of life; and a student’s application is what is judged. It is not enough to succeed in tennis if it is at the detriment of everything else.

“ATA is unique in that the college concept of being a student-athlete is already in place,” Claire said.

Chris Dale has recently rushed up the tennis rankings in the boy’s 16s division. While reaching top 20 in the state is surely noteworthy, even more impressive is the academic excellence maintained throughout the climb. Chris is ranked in the top 5% at Westlake High School. He is achieving excellence in all areas of life, not just on the court.

Three ATA super champ level tennis players, Jeffrey Offerdahl, Raymond Traweek and Greyson Brilliant are all Honor Roll students at St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and will represent St. Stephen's in SPC high school competition. Jeff Offerdahl, a sophomore who has trained at the ATA since he was 8, has achieved a high level of accomplishment as a national level tennis player, competing in super nationals in all age groups.

There are many ATA athletes that embody the mission of this Academy. Players like Eliot Blatt, Josh Hagar and Ryan Burak grow as athletes each day at practice, but they excel in the classroom and community as well.

At the Austin Tennis Academy, athletes are ultimately critiqued as people, not players. The mission is to produce excellence in life, in and through the game of tennis, and these junior athletes illustrate this each day.

"It’s been a learning experience balancing all of the hours at ATA while keeping up with school, but Coach Newman makes sure we stay on top of it,” Claire said.

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