Tiger Tennis Academy

The TIGER TENNIS ACADEMY has been in existence since 1991. During this time we have coached adult and junior tennis players from all over the United States. Expect to work hard, receive outstanding instruction from great coaches, improve your tennis, make new friends, and enjoy tennis more than ever before.

A week at the Tiger Tennis Academy is sure to inspire each student to continue playing and improving their tennis game after they leave the academy.The TIGER TENNIS ACADEMY has built it's reputation on two fundamentals-professional tennis instruction and wholesome fun.

Professional StaffThe academy is personally directed by Craig Ward who is the Men's Tennis Coach and Director of Tennis at Ouachita Baptist University. Craig has 23 years of tennis teaching experience and is certified with the highest ratings from the USPTA and USPTR. His honors include Arkansas Tennis Professional of the Year and Southern Coach of the Year. In 1995 he was named National College Coach of the Year. His coaching background also includes the Southern 18 & 16 intersectional teams and the Southern 12, 14 and 16 zonal teams. His teams at Ouachita have consistently finished in the nation's top 10, being ranked as high as 7th in 1998. Coach Ward will be on court each day of the academy, working with students to assure their improvement. He will oversee a staff of coaches that has includes top collegiate players and full time teaching professionals.

Fun comes from actually seeing yourself improve on the tennis court throughout the week. You will enjoy making new friends who also want to become better tennis players. Participating in the Davis Cup Tournament provides match-play with the support of your teammates.

In the evenings junior tennis players participate in organized evening activities such as bowling, go-carts, miniature golf and the pool-party.

Located on the beautiful campus of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, the Tiger Tennis Academy is a short drive from all the major cities in Arkansas.

All instruction and classes will be held at the OBU's Heflin Tennis Center. In 1995 Heflin Tennis Center was named as Collegiate Tennis Facility of the Year by the United States Tennis Association. This complex includes 15 tennis courts (4 indoor tennis courts and 11 outdoor courts) and a full service pro shop. An indoor swimming pool and gymnasium are also available during free time.

Living accommodations include air-conditioned dormitory style housing. Roommates are assigned by age and sex. However, you may make individual roommate requests.

Campers are supervised 24 hours a day. The staff joins in all evening activities and lives on-site with all campers.

Players of all levels are welcomed at The Tiger Tennis Academy. We group players according to ability and age. During the week we make adjustments to groups if needed. We take a maximum of 36 students per camp.

LEVEL I: Beginners-For tennis players who are familiar with the most basic elements of the game. These players have not competed in tournaments or on an official team. Our goal with these players is to develop sound stroke fundamentals and consistency.

LEVEL II: Intermediates-These players have tournament experience in novice level tournaments and are desiring to play on the high school team.

Developing offensive skills and reducing unforced errors will be the emphasis at this level.

LEVEL III: Advanced-Players at this level are very dedicated athletes who participate in open division tournaments and have a numerical ranking. These students will be taught to recognize and exploit opponent's weaknesses with their own strengths. Doubles tactics and strategy will also be emphasized.

Your cost for an entire week at the academy is $350. This includes all instruction, room, meals, and camp T-shirt. Commuters may deduct $50 from that fee. A $50 deposit must accompany your enrollment form with the remainder due upon arrival at registration. Upon receipt of deposit and complete enrollment form, a letter of confirmation and additional camp information will be mailed to you.

If you cancel, for any reason, after 14 days prior to the start of your camp session, you may credit your deposit toward a future TIGER TENNIS ACADEMY or clinic transferable through the year 2000. However, you will not receive a refund.

Drugs, alcohol and all forms of tobacco are strictly forbidden and constitute, along with general misconduct, grounds for immediate dismissal from camp without a refund.

For an application call 870-246-2441, fax 870-245-4675 or e-mail to: wardc@alpha.obu.edu