Coach (2002 . . .) Justin McGrath

[NewsCopy]

LAFAYETTE – The University of Louisiana Director of Athletics Nelson Schexnayder announced Thursday at an afternoon press conference that former University of Arkansas assistant coach Justin McGrath has been hired to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns men’s and women’s tennis programs.

McGrath replaces Brett Schwartz who resigned in January. His hiring is pending the approval of the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees.

McGrath was an assistant at Arkansas from 1999-2002, becoming the Razorbacks first full-time assistant in school history. While with UA, McGrath contributed to the biggest turn-around in Razorbacks Tennis in 10 years. He helped revitalize the program from being unranked to finishing 25th in the nation with a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 2002 season.

He also conducted practices, assisted with travel arrangements and traveled with the team and individual team members. McGrath played a key role in UA’s ongoing recruiting efforts. He is also credited with working to promote Razorbacks Tennis to the community and building a broad base of enthusiasm and support for the program.

Before his stint at UA, he was an academy coach at John Newcombe’s Tennis Academy in New Braunfels, Texas from 1995 until his hiring at UA.

There he coached several nationally and internationally ranked players at on of the nation’s top residential tennis academies and had the opportunity to travel with players to United States Tennis Association National tournaments, including the Easter and Orange Bowls.

His path to Newcombe’s Tennis Academy began with an internship at the Julian Krinskey School of Tennis in Philadelphia where he worked with junior players as an assistant professional.

In 1992, he moved to Tyler, Texas. He graduated from Tyler Junior College with a certificate of proficiency in the tennis technical program in 1993.

McGrath was also a staff professional at the Abilene (Texas) Country until becoming the head professional at Abilene’s Fairway Oaks Country Club in April 1994. He created and implemented programs and activities, which helped to boost tennis participation by 20 percent at Fairway.

McGrath is certainly no stranger to the game. The Rapid City, S.D., native moved to southern California to compete in men’s singles competition. While on the junior circuit, he was ranked 27th in the southern California 18-year-old divison. McGrath would later move into the Men’s Open Singles in 1989 where he ranked 32nd in the region while playing on the professional tour.

McGrath is a certified instructor and member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association.

He received a bachelor’s of science in education/recreation sports programming from UA this summer. He is married to the former Kimberly Braun.

ULSI

[Turbine]

Well I wish the sports information department hadn't openly admitted that the tennis program was coachless for a full 7 months. I guess it is water under the bridge, I certainly like the choice, and one could say good things come to those who do prolonged searches.

Nelson Schexneider certainly seems to be on a roll since the hiring of head football coach Rickey Bustle.

On a personal note with the nwe Tennis helmsman, if I am not mistaken Justin and Kimberly celebrated their 4th trip around the sun as a married couple on July 25th.

In a 1999 interview Justin stressed the importance of staying focused. "We were extremely focused, maintained a high intensity level throughout the match" he went on to show class in that while you are focused, it should not change how you treat your opponent. "treat() opponents with respect. It's not always easy to stay focused when you're playing a lower-ranked team" his comments cemented the thought that if you can mesh a focus on the game with intensity of play, and couple it with respect for the opponent, you will play above and beyond the average players ability. On the day of this interview he simply stated. "They all played above and beyond their ability today"