NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolStudent LifeService
Darlington partners with CITA to offer year-round tennis program
Jun 21, 2006 11:45 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington School and Coosa Country Club are pleased to announce that beginning in the fall of 2006, competitive high school tennis players from around the world will have access to Rome’s very own premier tennis academy, the Coosa International Tennis Academy (CITA).
Combining Darlington’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum with world-class tennis instruction from Dominican Davis Cup player Federico Rodriguez, CITA will accept a limited number of applications for the 2006-07 school year.
“Founded in 1905 and 1909, respectively, Darlington School and Coosa Country Club share the same principal architect, John Paul Cooper,” said Ballard Betz (’96), director of summer and extended programs. “Today, 100 years later, the two organizations celebrate their common heritage through the partnership that is now the Coosa International Tennis Academy. Continuing Mr. Cooper’s pursuit of excellence, CITA is on track to become the country’s next premier tennis academy.”
Academy Director Federico “Freddie” Rodriguez was an All-American player at Shorter College and competed professionally for two years as a member of the Dominican Republic Davis Cup Team. Rodriguez is a USPTA 1-certified professional and a member of USPTR.
“This partnership is the first of its kind in the southeastern United States, and represents an incredible training opportunity for aspiring college tennis players,” said Darlington Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “I am very excited to have someone of Freddie’s caliber leading this program. He is a consummate professional who cares deeply about seeking excellence. Freddie’s energy and commitment to kids will make this partnership a success.”
According to Rodriguez, in tennis, like in life, you get what you put in. “If you do not practice hard, then you cannot expect to improve. But go out and practice with everything you’ve got, and when match time comes, there will be no surprises,” he said. “You will perform because you are prepared. You can’t control the weather or even winning or losing. What you can control is how well you play by how hard you train. Leave nothing to chance.”
Rising senior Michael Schecter has been training with Rodriguez for four years. “He has improved my game tremendously because of the amazing insight and motivation that he has in working with his tournament players. His workouts are intense, and he is always open-minded to learning about and implementing the newest teaching techniques,” Schecter said. “As for Darlington, I am lucky to have experienced the best in college prep education. Although balancing a heavy academic load with a demanding tennis schedule is tough, it is far from impossible here at Darlington because of the positive support from both faculty and students. For people like me who want to play college tennis, Darlington has given me the best of both worlds.”
CITA training fees for the 2006-07 academic year are $4,500, not including tournament and travel expenses. These fees are in addition to Darlington School’s tuition. Training will take place Monday through Friday at Coosa Country Club in Rome.
CITA participants receive six hours of team drilling each week, one hour of weekly private instruction, arranged weekly match play with other academy players, one hour each week of customized strength training from CITA’s fitness coordinator, free entry into two of four sanctioned USTA tournaments hosted by CITA, and no less that six tournament play opportunities per year.
For more information, please contact Freddie Rodriguez at 706-234-7131 or Ballard Betz at 706-236-0424.
Combining Darlington’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum with world-class tennis instruction from Dominican Davis Cup player Federico Rodriguez, CITA will accept a limited number of applications for the 2006-07 school year.
“Founded in 1905 and 1909, respectively, Darlington School and Coosa Country Club share the same principal architect, John Paul Cooper,” said Ballard Betz (’96), director of summer and extended programs. “Today, 100 years later, the two organizations celebrate their common heritage through the partnership that is now the Coosa International Tennis Academy. Continuing Mr. Cooper’s pursuit of excellence, CITA is on track to become the country’s next premier tennis academy.”
Academy Director Federico “Freddie” Rodriguez was an All-American player at Shorter College and competed professionally for two years as a member of the Dominican Republic Davis Cup Team. Rodriguez is a USPTA 1-certified professional and a member of USPTR.
“This partnership is the first of its kind in the southeastern United States, and represents an incredible training opportunity for aspiring college tennis players,” said Darlington Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “I am very excited to have someone of Freddie’s caliber leading this program. He is a consummate professional who cares deeply about seeking excellence. Freddie’s energy and commitment to kids will make this partnership a success.”
According to Rodriguez, in tennis, like in life, you get what you put in. “If you do not practice hard, then you cannot expect to improve. But go out and practice with everything you’ve got, and when match time comes, there will be no surprises,” he said. “You will perform because you are prepared. You can’t control the weather or even winning or losing. What you can control is how well you play by how hard you train. Leave nothing to chance.”
Rising senior Michael Schecter has been training with Rodriguez for four years. “He has improved my game tremendously because of the amazing insight and motivation that he has in working with his tournament players. His workouts are intense, and he is always open-minded to learning about and implementing the newest teaching techniques,” Schecter said. “As for Darlington, I am lucky to have experienced the best in college prep education. Although balancing a heavy academic load with a demanding tennis schedule is tough, it is far from impossible here at Darlington because of the positive support from both faculty and students. For people like me who want to play college tennis, Darlington has given me the best of both worlds.”
CITA training fees for the 2006-07 academic year are $4,500, not including tournament and travel expenses. These fees are in addition to Darlington School’s tuition. Training will take place Monday through Friday at Coosa Country Club in Rome.
CITA participants receive six hours of team drilling each week, one hour of weekly private instruction, arranged weekly match play with other academy players, one hour each week of customized strength training from CITA’s fitness coordinator, free entry into two of four sanctioned USTA tournaments hosted by CITA, and no less that six tournament play opportunities per year.
For more information, please contact Freddie Rodriguez at 706-234-7131 or Ballard Betz at 706-236-0424.
