2012 Big 12 Conference Champions Oklahoma was undefeated in its league as part of its 19-4 overall record. The Sooners swept the conference awards, winning coach, player and newcomer of the year. Big 12 Awards Coach of the Year John Roddick Player of the Year Costin Paval Senior David Pultr clinched the Big 12 title match on a third-set tiebreaker after 4 ½ hours for OU to win 4-3 over Baylor. Newcomer of the Year Guillermo Alcorta
Gregg Wadley Indoor Pavilion Highlights of the 55,000 square-foot facility include six air-conditioned courts, championship-quality lighting and surface, and approximately 375 chairback seats for spectators. The video equipment makes it possible for our staff to record every official match as well as every practice. Every week the coaches do a video analysis for every player, where match strategy as well as technique improvement are discussed. The main purpose of this is to offer the players the best opportunity to compete at the highest level. Each and every player s development is focusing on technique, tactics as well as physical preparation.
The Headington Family Tennis Center OU has one of the finest facilities in the country with 12 outdoor courts as well as a brand new indoor facility with six courts, estimated at 8.4 million dollars.
Coaching experience: 2012 Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year 2006-08, ATP Tour coach of Andy Roddick 2002-09, Director, Roddick Total Tennis Academy 2000-02, Georgia Men's Assistant Coach 1999-2000, Florida State Men's Assistant Coach Playing honors: 1995-98, Four-Time All-American at Georgia 1998, Team Captain for NCAA Team Finalists 1998, NCAA Singles Semifinalist 1994, ITF Junior World Rank: #6 Singles, #3 Doubles 1993-94, U.S. National Team Member 1993 Wimbledon Junior Doubles Semifinalist 1992 USTA National Runner-Up 1990 USTA National Champion
What roddick has done at oklahoma: Led OU to its first ever Elite Eight appearance in first year. Crowned four All-Americans (Andrei Daescu, Costin Paval (twice) and Dane Webb). Coached back-to-back ITA Central Region Champions (Ionut Beleleu and Paval). Advanced to the NCAA tournament each season as head coach. Coached OU to its first Big 12 Conference Championship.
Assistant coach bo hodge: 2004-06, ATP Touring Professional 2005-06, Coached and hit with Venus and Serena Williams 2007, Coached ATP pro Mardy Fish 2010-Present, Coach of the USTA Men's Summer Collegiate Team Playing honors: 2001-04, Four-Time All-American at Georgia Three-time Southeastern Conference Champions at Georgia Played on the 2001 National Championship team at Georgia The No. 2-ranked collegiate player in the nation (2001 & 04)
Every player participates in several individual sessions with the coaching staff. These individual practices are used to develop and improve the technique as well to work on the tactical part of the game. After each individual practice, we have video analysis sessions where we discuss improvements etc.
This room has computers, a video projector as well as a DVD player. This is a great place to do our video analysis sessions with our players.
Weight training and conditioning is one of the most significant parts of the OU tennis program. The team works with a strength and conditioning coach that implements a tennis specific program that emphasizes plyometrics, endurance as well as flexibility. All tennis practices are followed by a strength and conditioning session.
The strength and conditioning facility is located next to the tennis courts and has been recently renovated.
Our tennis program emphasizes the development of speed and agility. The weight training and conditioning program is based on the tournament schedule, so players peak for the most important tournaments of the year.
The conditioning program includes a lot of sprints at the Track and Field Stadium.
The Football facility has a practice field that is made of artificial grass, where we run sprints and execute agility exercises. This particular surface is ideal for change of direction exercises.
The OU training room has the newest rehabilitation machines like x-ray and MRI machines. If needed, the players can use the under water treadmill that helps rehabilitation after surgeries.
The players benefit from a sports medicine doctor as well as a physical therapist. The physiotherapist creates preventive programs for each individual.
The locker room has 12 individual lockers, an LCD television, DVD player and ipod dock.
In just his first year as head coach of the Sooners, Roddick led his team to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Championships. In route to the Elite Eight OU Topped No. 15 Texas Tech, 4-2, in the Norman Regional. Upset third-ranked Texas in the Sweet 16, 4-2.
John Roddick appeared as a guest on the ESPNU broadcast of the 2010 and 2011 NCAA Championship match.
The spring semester begins at the end of January and finishes at the end of May. Throughout this semester the team focuses on team matches. Each official match includes 6 singles matches and 3 doubles matches. In average, each player will compete in about 25 matches during the spring semester.
During the fall semester the team focus on weight training and conditioning, technique development as well as individual tournaments (Futures and Challengers). The top four players on the team have the opportunity to compete in four Futures/Challengers tournaments. In the past, our players have received invites to the 50K Challenger in Tulsa, Okla., as wild card entries.
During a school year, the average match count for each player is around 43. Out of the 43 matches played during the 2008-2009 season, Andrei Daescu competed against 23 players ranked between 300 and 1000 ATP.
Andrei Daescu- During the 4 years I played at OU, I had an unbelievable experience. It was an experience that I wish a lot of players, that don't have the chance to play professional right out of high-school, can experience. The facilities and the developmental programs are far superior to the ones found in elsewhere. They offer a very good opportunity to continue a tennis career even after graduation. The education that we receive at OU is also well recognized in the entire world and it gives the student athletes a future outside of tennis. Ionut Beleleu- Choosing The University of Oklahoma has been the most inspired decision I have ever taken from a tennis and academic point of view. The facilities that I found here are way beyond expectations. The coaches and the Athletic Department are no doubt, the finest in American. I was offered a great opportunity by one of the best colleges in America and I will flourish in the future because of that. Costin Paval- The University of Oklahoma proved to me that it has a well structured system where you can rely on the support staff at any time. The opportunity that I have to play tennis and get a highly recognized education, convinced me that I am in the right place. I feel fortunate to be part of this program.
Daily Schedule 7:00-7:30 Breakfast at the Cafeteria 8:00-9:00 Individual practice 9:30-12:30 Classes 12:30-2:00 Lunch and Relaxation 2:15-4:30 Team Practice 4:30-5:15 Conditioning (Running/Weight Training) 5:30-6:00 Rehabilitation/Recovery 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:00-9:00 Homework 9:00-11:00 Entertainment/Fun/Relaxation 11:00 Sleep
Football Picture
The Athletic Department monitors every freshman student-athlete. Student-athletes have tutors available for every class. These tutors are hired and paid by the Athletics Department. Also, every player has an academic counselor that is responsible for: Academic schedule Tutoring schedule Monitoring grades on a weekly bases Class registeration
During the last 20 years, every tennis player has graduated with at least a Bachelor's Degree. This fact is a product of the continued efforts and care of the Athletics Department.
OU has one of the strongest Athletic Departments in the country in addition to being one of the best Academic Programs in the US. OU offers 158 Bachelor Degrees, 167 Masters Degrees as well as 81 Doctoral Degrees.
Even though they represent the university with great pride, the student-athletes do not receive preferential treatment in the classroom. The Prentice Gautt Center is set up for student-athletes to succeed in the classroom.
The team is made out of a head coach, an assistant coach and one volunteer assistant coach, a strength and conditioning coach, a physical therapist, nutritionist, publicist as well as a team manager. Jozsef Szendrei OU Tennis strength and conditioning coach
Additional information can be found on the university website at www.ou.edu as well as www.soonersports.com.
be part of something special.