Fun Tennis Memories: Crazy Hat Day Spring 2013

One of my favorite days is 'Crazy Hat Day'.  It's a day where everyone brings a unique hat to tennis practice and we have a contest to see who has the 'craziest hat'.   This photo was taken in Nassau Bay during my home school tennis program in the spring of 2013.  I think we need another Crazy Hat Day to kick off spring 2014...!

It's definitely important to shield our faces and necks from the sun and crazy hat day is a fun way to emphasize the importance of protecting ourselves from harmful UV rays.

Rice versus University of Texas tennis match at the Met

Elijah with Rice Player Gustavo Gonzales left and 'Daniel' on the right

These two young college athletes were very gracious to have their photo taken with 'an Aggie kid'.  Daniel said it was against Rice team policy to pose with Aggies but they made an exception for Elijah.  In fact, they were very warm and encouraging to him.   Our field trip to Houston Metropolitan Racquet Club was a fun event.  I think it was very inspiring to everyone that attended.

Columbia Roughneck: Anton Mayer

Anton Mayer, 2013

Anton Mayer is a sophomore and plays for Columbia High School.  He is an amazing athlete and excels in numerous sports besides tennis.   Anton trained hard with his tennis all summer but has been focusing on football mostly this fall where he was a starter on the Roughneck Varsity team.

Anton held a Varsity Tennis position as a freshman and will be playing varsity tennis for West Columbia High School this spring as well.  He will probably be playing doubles but will be a contributer to the team where ever he is placed.

From a coaches perspective, Anton brings a great competitive spirit to the court.  He is very good-natured and is well liked by his team mates.  He is a hard worker, willing to put in what ever amount of time it takes to be the best he can be.  I am looking forward to seeing Anton take his tennis to the next level in 2014   ~Coach Sam

Mark and Amanda Boneau

Mark Boneau 2ummer 2012

 I have always enjoyed coaching this young man: Mark Boneau.

I began working with Mark while he was in junior high.  He is now in high school and plays varsity for Brazoswood High School.  Mark is very talented. He has great speed which is always an asset, but one of his greatest attributes is his ability to to solve problems and figure out how to win.

I  organize practice matches for my students and we regularly scrimmage the juniors at Bay Oak Country Club in Clear Lake.  These photos of Mark and his sister Amanda were taken at one of our scrimmages in 2012.

Mark is a very well rounded individual and enjoys a variety of other outdoor interests including hunting and fishing.  His sister, Amanda is another one of my students.  Amanda takes pride in being the best she can be at whatever endeavor she sets her mind to.

Amanda Boneau

Amanda plays on the Brazoswood High School tennis team, too.  She loves tennis, and also excels in music as a member of the famous Buccaneer High School Band.  Amanda also enjoys hunting.  Like Mark, Amanda is a very talented athlete and has showed great improvement in her tennis game over the past two years.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with fine young athletes like Mark and Amanda.  It has been a pleasure watching these players grow and mature over the years.

I may be calling on Mark and Amanda's hunting and trapping skills to help me with a hog problem I am having at the Columbia Lakes Tennis Center.  But that will be the topic of another fun blog post in the near future.

Tennis Field Trip -River Oaks 2011

This is one of my favorite photos of Elijah.  He is about 5 years old and we were at a professional tennis tournament in Houston held at River Oaks Country Club.   Elijah was enjoying to watch some of the pros in their practice sessions.  Here he was able to get a great seat up close and personal.

I try to invite my students to fun events like this once or twice a year.   There is nothing more motivating than watching live professional tennis.  What you see on television does not come close to watching the action in person.

BCS Tennis: Cody Jackson and Madison Starr

River Oaks 2011

Here's one of my favorite photos of two of my favorite boys...! I love these guys...! We had a great day at River Oaks that day watching the US Men's Clay Court Championships...!