What started out four years ago as a way to make some extra money to offset the alarming rate of “daycare” has now evolved into a very fulfilling part of my life – Stringing for Duke Tennis.
On an average day, I’ll wake at 5:20am dress for the gym and load up the car with my “work attire “, a very large bag full of last night’s stringing labors and head out for Sheffield Tennis Center. After arrival, I’ll “restock” the “completed bins” in the men’s and women’s locker room and head off for a quick workout, followed by a day of my “day job” (as a Project Manager for Duke). Then on my return trip home, I’ll swing back by Sheffield to pick up a new allotment from the “to be strung bins”. After dinner and family time, I retire to my stringing room and turn on CNN or ESPN to listen to (depending on the day/season) and begin my second career. Depending on the load, usually one to four hours of work on these weekdays along with added time on Saturdays and Sundays usually gets me caught up with demand. I do manage to slip in five to seven hours of sleep each night also, contrary to what Ramsey will tell you, and then the process starts all over again.
As glamorous as that sounds, it’s really NOT the fulfilling part. No the part that makes it all worthwhile (aside from the check once a month) is the interaction with this amazing group of young adults and coaches. First the kids, sure, we like to call them “kids”, but they’re so much more. Day in and day out I get to see them up close, working together for a common goal and having a youthful energy and lighthearted fun attitude all the while. Like siblings, they pick on one another and compete amongst themselves on and off the court. But also like birth brothers and sisters, they stick up for each other from outsiders with a bond of loyalty that can only be described as “family”. The personalities and nationalities are as diverse as you might expect from a University called simply “Duke”. But the cohesion of a team among this group brings this simple North Carolina native to truly believe that “world peace” could most certainly be attainable some day, but for a common goal.
As a tennis fan, I’m amazed at both their physical and mental skills of the game, but as a support member of these teams, I’m most proud of their character. Any predated preconceived notions of elitist “Duke” arrogance, has been replaced with the reality of true moral sincerity. Sure they’re all intelligent and the fact that they’re also division one athletes test my notions of divine fairness when it comes to the distributions from the gene pool . But any resentment towards the genetic gods is soon dissipated when I witness the work ethic and the stress toll of a work load of academics and athletics at the highest level possible. Add to that the ingrained pressures of being an adolescent in 2009 and envy is soon replaced with empathy (except when they’re on a road trip to Hawaii). It’s the mastery of the life balance and commitment to excellence in all of those areas that I most admire from this group of student athletes. I’m really glad through these blogs that you (the fans) get to see what fine individuals these young adults are. They’re really worthy of your support and I know firsthand how much they genuinely appreciate it!
As for the coaches, what can I say except WOW? They sign up for the jobs of mentor, teacher, friend, boss, disciplinarian, coordinator, travel agent, maid, role model and the list goes on and on. Couple that with the responsibilities and accountabilities of answering to the parents, fans, staff, alumni and Athletic director and you’ve got a recipe for stress with a side order of “you get to work nights, holidays and weekends away from home”. Still thinking they’ve got it made because they get to coach tennis for a living? Consider this, during the season the teams only get one day off a week and don’t forget that you have to keep one eye on the global domain of recruiting all the while. But even with all of those trials and pressures they still make it fun, after all, it’s still a game right? Come to any match and you’ll see the results of these amazingly talented and committed individuals who are simply, the best in the business. Former standouts themselves, they know firsthand the pressures and challenges facing their teams and impressively meet them head on, conquer them and make it look as smooth as the strokes they perfect each day. But the really impressive part is that they not only endure this process, but embrace it. Ask any one of them if they would rather be doing something else and without hesitation the answer is always an emphatic no! Tennis is a remarkable sport that brings together people that otherwise might never cross paths. It’s my honor to be involved with this outstanding group of dynamic and impeccable people and my pleasure to share these views from inside with you the fans.
As always, thanks for your support and for joining us on this journey. Hold on tight – it’s going to be a fun ride, full of mains, crosses and some perfect tension for just the right feel at impact.
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