University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
4.8 Stars – Based on 13 User Reviews
Day Camp with Half Day Option
Now in our second year, the Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps at the University of Tennessee is quickly gaining the reputation as a camp for serious learning and serious fun. Featuring the coaching staffs of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at UT, the camp offers an incredible amount of teaching and camp experience.
Each camper receives personal attention, advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work, and game/match play daily. Campers are broken into small instructional groups with those of similar age., ability and experience so each child is working in a group that is commensurate with their experience level. We tailor each program to the level of the players. Beginners would get a heavier dose of swing technique and fundamentals, while more advanced players would have more focus on strategy, point building, and percentage tennis, etc.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMP INCLUDE
- Comprehensive instructional program with daily teaching progressions
- Small instructional groups to ensure individual attention
- Safety prioritized on and off court
- Camp demo program with all the latest Wilson rackets
- Great Wilson Raffle and prizes for all campers
CAMP DETAILS
CAMP DATES
Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the camps below have been canceled. We are hoping to have new options available in the near future
- Session I : June 8-12, 2020 – Canceled
- Session II: June 15-19, 2020 – Canceled
FEES
- Full Day: $450 per week
- Half Day: $250 per week
AGES
- Boys & Girls ages 7-18 of all skill levels
- Camps are open to any and all..
Camp Discounts
Discounts: The following discounts are available for this camp: Limit 1 discount per registration.
Early Bird Discount: Sign up before March 1, 2020
- Full Day: $50 off ( coupon code “UTEarlyBirdFull” )
- Half Day: $25 ( coupon code “UTEarlyBirdHalf” )
UT Faculty and Staff:
- Full Day: $50 off. Please email office from UT email for discount.
- Half Day: $25 Please email office from UT email for discount.
* Note – Campers that use the code and are not eligible will be responsible for the full amount.
* Limit 1 discount per registration
MORE INFORMATION
Camp Types
Our traditional tennis camps are designed to focus on the fundamentals and swing techniques of the modern tennis strokes. We tailor the instruction to the skill level and experience of each level of player. Some of the areas of focus for each level include:
- Beginners: The beginning level player will be introduced to the basics of the game. Emphasis will be placed on stroke production and the technical aspects of the swing in an effort to teach these young players sound fundamentals from the ground up.
- Intermediate: Intermediate level players will also focus on fundamental stroke production (to ensure proper technique), but will also be in put into game play situations to introduce these players to the competitive side of the game.
- Advanced: The more advanced players will work with stroke production in a competitive environment, but will also be introduced to the basic strategies of the game.
- High School / Tournament: Varsity high school and tournament players will focus on the strategic and competitive aspects of the game. Although there will be attention spent on the stroke fundamentals, more emphasis will be placed on point progression, court positioning, patterns and sequences, percentage plays and live ball drill work.
Note: A skills evaluation is done on the first day of camp and we will assign students to small instructional groups with kids of similar age, ability and experience level. Players will continue to be evaluated throughout the week and coaches will move kids into situations to push them and help ensure they are in a comfortable learning environment.
Times
- Full Day Camp: 9am – 3:30pm daily
- Half Day Camp: 9am – Noon daily
Meals
- Full Day Camp: Full Day campers should pack their lunch each day. In addition, we will be taking the kids to the dining hall for lunch and meals can be purchased at the dining hall if you prefer not to pack a lunch.
- Half Day Camp: No meals included.
Inclement Weather
FAQ's
Q: Are there Skill Requirements for this camp?
Per NCAA rules, our sports camps are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender, and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp.
Q: What type of campers attend this camp?
Our camps are open to all levels of tennis players. We have players from absolute beginner to high school / Tournament level.
We design our camps to teach the technical basics and love of the game to the beginning player, to introduce strategical decision making, and more advanced technique to the intermediate player, while building on their current stroke production, and to put the advanced players into pressured, strategical and competitive situations.
Q. What is the ratio of campers to staff?
Groups will be divided into small instructional groups of approximately 5-6: 1 camper to coach. Some camps/sessions offer higher or lower ratios based on the curriculum.
Q. If the camp is full, do you have a waiting list?
To be added to the waitlist, please register here (there is no fee to join the waitlist).
Q. Should I purchase camp/cancellation insurance?
We recommend all families purchase camp/cancellation insurance if they are concerned about the investment they are making in the camp. Kids do get injured, sick and family plans change from the time of registration leading up to the camp. Camp insurance allows peace of mind and has many benefits in any of these events. Please review our policies page for more information about camp/cancellation insurance. Click Here
Airport Transportation
Airport transportation may be available upon request for those flying into camp.
PERTINENT INFORMATION
Check-In
- All campers will check in at 8:45 am daily
Check-Out
- Full Day: 3:30 pm daily at the courts
- Half Day: Noon daily at the courts
Camp Forms
All our camp forms, including the required liability form and medical form can be found HERE
Driving Instructions
From McGhee Tyson Airport: Turn north on U.S. Highway 129 leaving airport. After crossing the Tennessee River bridge just outside of Knoxville, exit onto Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow road until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Turn right on Temple St. Turn left on Andy Holt Blvd. Turn right on 20th. Center and courts on left.
From I-40 east (from Nashville) and I-75 north (from Chattanooga): Follow I-40 and I-75 to I-40/I-75 junction in west Knoxville. Continue on I-40 east to U.S. Highway 129 south. Follow 129 south to the exit for Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow the road until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn left onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Turn right on Temple St. Turn left on Andy Holt Blvd. Turn right on 20th. Center and courts on left.
From I-40 west (from Asheville, N.C.): Follow I-40 west to the James White Parkway exit. Follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn right onto Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Turn right on Temple St. Turn left on Andy Holt Blvd. Turn right on 20th. Center and courts on left.
From I-75 south (from Lexington, Ky.): Follow I-75 south to I-275 south just past Merchants Road. Follow I-275 to I-40 east. Exit I-40 east onto James White Parkway and follow Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Thompson-Boling Arena is visible. Turn left at second stoplight. Follow Volunteer Blvd. to next light. Turn right on Temple St. Turn left on Andy Holt Blvd. Turn right on 20th. Center and courts on left.
MEET YOUR COACHES
Co-Director:
Chris Woodruff
Head Men’s Tennis Coach
The University of Tennessee
Woodruff, one of Tennessee’s most celebrated tennis players, is in his 16th season on the Vols’ coaching staff. After serving as an associate head coach and assistant coach since 2002, he was promoted to head coach on May 19, 2017.
This spring, Woodruff has led one of the great turnarounds in program history, coaching the Vols to 21 wins in 2018 compared to 13 in the previous season. UT faced a tough conference schedule but came out of the regular season as the No. 4 seed entering the SEC Tournament. In early February, Woodruff tested the doubles combination of Preston Touliatos and Luis Valero. A few short months later, the duo finished the dual match season with a 12-4 record, and earned a bid to compete in the doubles tournament at the NCAA Championships from May 23-28.
The Vols have finished in the top 25 nationally seven times since 2006, including the top 10 from 2008 through 2011. The team captured back-to-back SEC regular-season titles for the first time in program history in 2010 and 2011 and reached the finals of the NCAA Championships in 2010. In 2011, the team assumed the No. 1 national ranking for the first time since 1990.
Co-Director:
Alison Ojeda
Head Women’s Tennis Coach
The University of Tennessee
Former Tennessee All-American Ojeda rejoined the program as an assistant coach in June 2016. She was hired as head coach following the resignation of Mike Patrick.
In her second season at the helm, the Lady Vols continued to show improvements on the courts under Ojeda’s direction, posting back-to-back seasons with 18 wins for the first time since 2010-11 and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
UT claimed 12 consecutive victories to open the season, marking the best start in program history and its second longest winning streak ever. Along with the hot start, Tennessee recorded eight shutouts on the year, two short of tying the school record of 10.
After being promoted, Ojeda led the Volunteers to one of their most productive seasons in recent years. Tennessee had its most wins (19) and highest ITA ranking (12th) since 2011. The Big Orange also earned their first berth in the NCAA Championships since 2014, advancing to the second round.
Co-Director:
James McKie
Assistant Men’s Tennis Coach
The University of Tennessee
Following an impressive year one on Rocky Top, McKie helped to lead the Vols to even greater heights in year two. Tennessee finished the season with 22 wins, securing the program’s first back-to-back 20 win seasons since 2010 and 2011. The Big Orange reached the SEC Championship final for the first time since 2013 and the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. Individually, Timo Stodder and Preston Touliatos earned All-America honors, Stodder in singles and doubles, while Touliatos earned the accolades in doubles. As a doubles team, Stodder and Touliatos made a run to the semifinal round at NCAAs, the farthest a UT doubles team has advanced since 2014.
A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, McKie played college tennis at Drake from 2009-13. He climbed as high as No. 68 in singles and No. 16 in doubles in the ITA national rankings while finishing his career with 204 combined victories, the third most in program history. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2013 and was a three-time all-conference recipient. During the last three years of his career, Drake swept the MVC regular-season and tournament titles.
McKie spent two years at Fresno State, helping the team win 20 matches over two seasons, including a 16-10 mark in 2015.
He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Drake University in 2013 and earned his masters degree in sports administration from Fresno State in 2015.
Co-Director:
Jarryd Chapin
Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach
The University of Tennessee
Over the course of four seasons in Knoxville, Chaplin compiled a 74-44 doubles record and 64-55 singles record, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2013.
Chaplin was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for three straight seasons from 2012-14. In his professional career on tour, Chaplin achieved an ATP doubles career-high ranking of No. 155.
CAMP REVIEWS
FACILITY
Barksdale Stadium
The Dr. Robert L. Barksdale Tennis Stadium, home of the Vols since 1976, is considered to be among the finest outdoor playing facilities in the intercollegiate ranks.
The facility features six courts which are located on the west side of campus, across from the Presidential Court Complex — a hub of student activity – and behind the Apartments Residence Hall.
Since the facility’s completion, Knoxville-area tennis enthusiasts and Tennessee students have filled the Varsity Court stands to see collegiate tennis at its best. The Vols enjoyed a 35-match home winning streak from 2009 through 2011, helped along by its home crowds. Tennessee clinched the 2010 SEC regular-season championship in the season finale at home against Georgia in front of more than 1,500 spectators.
Knoxville has a strong tennis community, and Tennessee has enjoyed strong support by students and members of surrounding clubs. The Vols were fourth in the country in total attendance in 2012, and the Lady Vols were sixth.
The six courts have been refurbished on a regular basis since being built in 1976, with the latest full renovation coming prior to the 1997 season. The facility was completed in 1981 with the addition of a 2,000-seat grandstand and a two-story clubhouse containing press facilities and a concession stand. Lights for the courts were donated in 1987 by former Vol All-American Paul Annacone.
The Dr. Robert L. Barksdale Tennis Stadium has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including SEC Championships, the opening rounds of the NCAA Championships, ITA regional fall tournaments and several high school tournaments.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
DAILY SCHEDULE
The following schedules are sample schedules of our camps. These are provided to give a rough idea of how each camp is programmed throughout the day.
| TRADITIONAL WEEKS – DAILY SCHEDULE: | |
|---|---|
| 8:45 – 9:00 am | Check In |
| 9:00 – 9:30 am | Camp Meeting, Stretching & Running |
| 9:30 – 11:15 am | On Court Drill Session |
| 10:30 am | Snack Time |
| 11:15 – 11:45 am | Fitness |
| 11:45 am | Prepare for Lunch |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch in Dining Halls |
| 1:00 pm | Break Time |
| 1:30 – 3:15 pm | Off Court Activities, Competition & Live Ball |
| 3:15 pm | Snack Time |
| 3:30 pm | Camp Meeting |
| 3:45 – 4:00 pm | Camp Check Out |