October 15, 2006

Contact:   Preston Davis

 Tennis Reunion Highlights

Friday Evening
            Barbecue Welcome Dinner
Saturday
            Round Robin 
            Lunch and Q&A with Drew Barrett 
            Reception and Dinner Honoring Jeff Frank

Tennis Reunion Recap

On the weekend of September the 22 and 23, close to 80 former and current men’s and women’s tennis players, spanning from the classes of ’50 to ’10 came together to celebrate the tradition of Davidson Tennis.  They gathered around meals, a round robin tournament, and a commemoration for Coach Jeff Frank’s many years as Davidson’s head men’s coach.

Jeff Frank spent 34 years at the helm of the Davidson College Men’s Tennis team.  During that time Coach Frank amassed 530 wins to make him the winningest coach in Davidson sporting history. 

Coach Jeff Frank retires after 34 years

During his time at Davidson College the tennis program saw the building of Covington Courts, Stowe Tennis House, and the Knobloch Tennis Center.  Along the way he earned five “Southern Conference Coach of the Year” honors, three conference titles, and a Southern Conference Distinguished Service award.

The Reunion Kick-Off Barbecue on Friday evening allowed former doubles partners, teammates, and friends to share conversation over a plate of North Carolina style barbecue.  Some Alumni shared moments while looking at photos in the corner of the Sprinkle Room.  Others looked over the shoulder of Susan Casper Shaffner ’80 to get a glance of her old photo album, highlights of which included several pictures of a younger Jeff Frank in a nice captain’s hat manning a grill.  Despite plates being cleared and decorations torn down, conversations went on late into the evening. 

On Saturday morning, as Women’s Coach Caroline Price swept the early fall leaves from  the courts, the various classes of players returned to Covington Courts for a Round Robin.  Players then split up into three groups (Knobloch, Covington, and Stowe), grabbed a partner, and played four games. Covington Courts became a flurry of ground strokes, overheads, and volleys to create a morning full of excitement.

Among the winners of the 2006 All-Tennis Reunion Round Robin:  Trip Caldwell ’87 and Brannon Buck ’94 of the Knobloch Group, Jim Hamilton ’60 and Jay Chitty ’07 of Covington Group, and Chris Parker ’94 and Rob Haywood ’05 of Stowe Group.

 Congratulations to the winners and all who participated!

After the Round Robin, the group moved into the C. Shaw Smith 900 Room in the Alverez College Union.  The current Men’s and Women’s teams were introduced to the Alumni, and after lunch the Alumni jumped into a Q&A with new Men’s Coach Drew Barrett.  Drew fielded questions concerning recruiting, academics, and style of coaching, among others. 

But the Alumni just couldn’t get enough of the court.  Once the Q&A ended, many raced back out to Covington Courts, despite having already played more than 3 hours that morning.  Lessie McIver ’86 simply commented, “It needed to be done.”

For some, the afternoon brought a time to rest weary legs and feet, but others took that the opportunity to tour the changed campus. Several Alumni marveled at the year-old Doe Weight Room beneath the stands of Richardson Stadium, while some watched the Women’s Volleyball match. 

On Saturday night the Alumni arrived at the Lilly Family Gallery in the Chambers building to honor Coach Frank for his 34 years as Davidson’s Head Tennis Coach.  Athletic Director Jim Murphy opened the evening with thanks to

Class of 1955 (l-r) Lacy Keesler, Leighton Green, Corky Clark, George Sneed

all in attendance.  He revealed the concept plans for the renovation of Stowe Tennis House, and then turned his attention to Coach Frank.  After Jim had run through Jeff’s impressive list of accomplishments and awards, the floor was opened up for comments, memories, stories, and praise of Coach Frank.  Though the atmosphere took on the air of a comic roast at times, the evening was filled with respect that flowed forth from Coach Frank’s former pupils and colleagues.

Women’s Coach Caroline Price found her comments for Coach Frank inspired by one of his old recruiting letters.  One of the lines of the letter read, “I think it is important that each of our players thoroughly enjoys all aspects of his tennis here, the practices, the competitions, but most importantly his friendships with other team members.”   Coach Price noted how rare such a line is in a college recruiting letter, but that they were “words spoken from the heart and from someone who had a sense of place and people.  So when I see seven decades of tennis alums back, the words ring true.” 

Sue MacAvoy ’77, one of the initiators of the women’s program, thanked Coach Frank for his guidance when the women first began.  John Beyer ’92 also had some choice words that brought laughter and smiles to the crowd, citing some of the lighter sides of the Coach Frank experience.  Harry Griffith ’80 reminded the

1984 Womens NationalChampions

audience of Jeff’s class motto:  “Mean as nails, tough as bricks, we’re the class of ’66.”  Harry explained that though these words probably wouldn’t be used to describe Coach Frank, they are appropriate for the impact Jeff has had on Davidson Tennis.  “Jeff has added countless nails and bricks…and leaves an indelible mark.”  Harry then presented Jeff with a plaque scripted with the same class of ’66 motto, “mean as nails, tough as bricks…”

After all applause had ceased, Jeff thanked everyone not only for coming but for making his years at Davidson so enjoyable.  Not to fear, he added, he would still be close by.  He wished new Coach Barrett the best of luck, telling the crowd that the program’s future is in safe hands.  With that the curtains closed for the All Tennis Reunion Weekend.

We have received calls and notes from many who attended the reunion.  Meg Short ’86 wrote, “From the turnout to the weather to the events and perhaps most of all, to the toasting of Jeff Frank upon his recent retirement, the idea and execution of the weekend was a stroke of genius.”

Thanks to everyone who attended, and to those who sent their regards even when unable to attend.