Pate Receives USTA/ITA Community Service Award
11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA ?? University of Alabama head men’s tennis coach Billy Pate was one of 15 sectional winners of the USTA/ITA Community Service Award.
The award is given to coaches who make significant contributions in developing community-based tennis programs through community centers, schools, parks, community tennis associations, inner city, suburban or rural programs.
"We are extremely honored to have received an ITA award for any small contributions we have been able to make to the growth of tennis,” said Pate. “Our players and our staff are very passionate about seeing new players introduced to our great sport. It is our hope that we can involve people to enjoy the many healthy attributes of tennis and make this an endeavor they will enjoy throughout their lives."
Pate and the Crimson Tide tennis team worked jointly with USTA Alabama and the Alabama High School Association to organize and direct a High School Coaches workshop this past January. Nearly 50 High school tennis coaches attended as Pate, Assistant Coach Lee Nickell and Volunteer Coach Matt Hill presented on-court seminars for training high school players and running a team. Alabama plans to host another workshop for coaches in January, 2007.
As a board member of the Tuscaloosa Tennis Association (TTA), Pate is helping direct efforts to build a public tennis facility in Tuscaloosa. The board has presented proposals to the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Department to build a centralized public tennis center.
The Alabama men’s team has conducted free tennis clinics for youth tennis programs. This past summer, they helped organize and participated in a week-long tennis clinic that introduced 225 new kids to the sport. Members of the staff and team also took part by volunteering their time to direct games and drills. They also trained people in the area on how to help teach basic skills for development at the grass roots level.
The Alabama staff has been working diligently to introduce campus-wide tennis program and promote rapid growth for the student body. Hill has worked alongside campus recreation directors to initiate new programs that have dramatically increased participation and league growth. Some events that have attracted new players included club tennis tournaments and a free clinic for students.
Pate will be honored for his award on December 15 at the ITA Coaches Convention at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, Fla., during the ITA Membership and Awards banquet.
