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Tennis Camp at Colgate University

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All Reviews about Tennis Camp at Colgate University

11 Reviews

  • My son talked about the energy level of the staff as his favorite aspect. We saw their enthusiasm during the closing ceremony but wondered if that was just for the parents -no, it was true the entire camp!!
  • Our daughter cannot stop talking about her week! She feels that the coaches were excellent and so much fun! She will be back next year! She not only had fun playing tennis but all the other activities made it extra special. Thank you!
  • I really enjoyed the competitive match play, the instruction from various coaches throughout the camp, and the fun activities done after tennis.
  • Drills were informative and fun. Evening activities were enjoyable. Good one-on-one experience and attention to detail.
  • Impressed with staff and their experience. My daughter loves the sport , found the dorms and food very good, activities very good, very organized drop off and pick Up, daughter had fun
  • Highlight of the camp- was that they are multiple skill levels of players, and that campers were matched up accordingly to meet their individual needs. We also love the extended day, the ration was 2:1, players for every 1 coach.
  • Receiving an assessment of her overall skills and learning exactly what she needs to do to improve her game. She also loves meeting new people!
  • My son really enjoyed all aspects of it. It seemed challenging yet fun. Getting a taste of dorm living was a good experience, too.
  • Everything! The coaches were outstanding and they kept the kids motivated non stop
  • Making friends and learning new skills
  • Awesome coaching staff

Camp Overview

Improve your game and have serious fun
at Nike Tennis Camps

This junior tennis camp in New York is held on the beautiful campus of Colgate University in Hamilton. A top summer tennis camp in NY, we offer exceptional overnight and day camps for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level players.

Our NY tennis camps deliver technical tennis instruction and drilling from a top-notch coaching staff, supervised matches, and plenty of fun evening social activities.

Highlights Include

  • Instruction from Colgate Tennis Coach Bobby Pennington and his experienced staff
  • 5-6 hours daily tennis instruction
  • Fun off-court evening activities for overnight campers
  • Low camper to coach ratio

Camp Coaches

  • Bobby Pennington

    Bobby Pennington

    Camp Director

    Named head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams in July 2006, Pennington has coached a Patriot League Player of the Year, two Rookie of the Year honorees and 25 All-Patriot League performers.

    Bobby Pennington

    Bobby Pennington

    Camp Director

    The Colgate men's and women's tennis programs have continued to have success in head coach Bobby Pennington’s second decade at the helm of the program.

    Entering the 2018-19 season, Pennington has 226 total wins in his career between the men's and women's programs. On the men's side, he sports a 126-110 record and the team has five consecutive winning seasons. He has won 100 matches on the women's side.

    Pennington was hired as the men's and women's tennis teams in July 2006. In his tenure with the program, Pennington has coached a Patriot League Player of the Year, two Rookies of the Year and 30 All-Patriot League performers. Seven different Raiders have also been named Patriot League Players of the Month during his time as the head coach.

    Pennington has developed into one of the best tennis coaches in Colgate history, earning his 200th career victory with the programs during the 2016-17 season. He currently is third in men's tennis program history in wins and second in women's tennis program history.

    Under the tutelage of Pennington, the men’s team won 15 games during the 2017-18 season the most for the program since 1998. The Raiders, who earned the three-seed for the Patriot League Tournament, advanced to conference semifinals for the first time since 2009. Additionally, the Raiders beat both Lehigh and Bucknell in the same season for the first time in nine years. For the fourth consecutive year Jacob Daugherty earned All-Patriot League honors, being named to first team, while newcomer Scott Bickel was named to the second team. On the women’s side, the Raiders beat Binghamton and George Mason for the first time in Pennington’s tenure. Led by second team All-Patriot League selection Mackenzie Deeter, the women’s team won their first Patriot League Tournament match since 2013, downing Holy Cross 4-0.

    During the 2016-17 season, Pennington coached the men's and women's tennis teams to winning regular season records before finishing in the top five of the Patriot League standings. Pennington coached All-Patriot League First Team Selection Jacob Daugherty and Second Team selection Lauren Hyland.

    Jacob Daugherty again highlighted the individual efforts by earning All-League First Team honors one season after being named Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Daugherty went 16-4 at No. 1 singles and partnered with Tom Hale to go 15-3 at No. 1 doubles. Pennington called the duo the “best doubles team in the league.”

    The Colgate women went 8-11 in 2015-16, including a 2-3 mark against Patriot League foes. First-year Lauren Hyland’s outstanding debut season landed the Colgate rookie on the All-Patriot League Second Team. Hyland played the No. 1 position for the Raiders and was a part of 10 singles victories and 11 doubles triumphs.

    The 2013-14 men's squad knocked off Navy for the first time since 2006 and Bucknell for first time since 2009. Individually, Gensburg became just the third player in Colgate history to earn All-Patriot League First Team honors all four seasons. A highlight of 2014-15 was an eight-match winning streak for the men that was the program’s longest since 11 in a row way back in 1996-97. The team’s 14 victories – highlighted by a 7-1 home mark – were the most of the Pennington era and most for a Raider men’s squad since 1997-98. Jacob Daugherty was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year.

    The 2012-13 season saw Pennington coach the women to a great turnaround, finishing the year 12-6 and earning their seventh straight appearance in the Patriot League tournament semifinals. The women started the year with a seven-match winning streak and Kelsey Shea was named All-Patriot League Second Team. Pennington took over second place in Colgate women's tennis coaching victories and third on the men’s chart. Gensburg was named first team All-Patriot League for the third consecutive year.

    In 2011-12, Gensburg was named first team All-Patriot League for the second straight year. The women finished third in the league and made the Patriot League semifinals for the sixth consecutive year. Pennington also recorded his 100th Colgate combined victory with a home win over St. Bonaventure.

    The 2009-10 teams both finished in the top four in the Patriot League’s regular season, with the men knocking off eventual top-seed Army for the second straight year. Luke Gensburg in 2010-11 was the Patriot League Rookie of the Year after going 4-1 in conference play and 12-6 overall. The women reached the tournament semifinals for a fifth consecutive season and Pennington earned the Patriot League’s Award for Good Sporting Conduct.

    Martin MacIntyre earned 2007-08 Patriot League Player of the Year for the men, while the women began 6-0 for their best start since 1993-94. MacIntyre repeated as an All-Patriot League First Team selection in 2008-09 when the men went 12-8 overall and finished second in the conference. Included was a victory over Army for the first time in seven years and advancement to the tournament semifinals. Elise DeRose earned an All-League First Team spot on the women’s side.

    Pennington arrived on the Colgate scene in 2006-07 and immediately pushed both teams over the .500 mark. The men finished 11-10 for their best record in three years, and the women were 11-8 for their top mark in four seasons. The men’s team achieved a program first when three Raiders were named to the All-League teams.

    Prior to taking the job at Colgate, Pennington spent two years as head coach of the men and women's tennis teams at Division III Juniata in Pennsylvania. In his two years with the Eagles, Pennington coached six All-Conference selections and two league rookies of the year.

    During his time at Juniata, Pennington founded the Attack & Defend Tennis Camp. Acting as camp director, Pennington helped instruct 50 children of all ages and ability levels.

    While earning his master's degree at Clarion University, Pennington acted as the assistant coach of the women's tennis team from 2002-04 and took a winless team to nine wins in just one year. He earned his degree in communications and mass media technology in 2004.

    Outside of college tennis, Pennington has been the head tennis pro at Toftrees Resort and Conference Center and a rally ball instructor at Blair Racquet Club. Pennington also spent time coaching boys and girls tennis at Hollidaysburg Area High School in 2001 and 2002.

    Pennington also is the director of the Colgate Nike Tennis Camps, which started in 2011, and has been a certified USPTR Professional since 2001. He is a former member of the ITA Division I Men’s Northeast Rankings Committee and a past member of the Hamilton Chapter of the Rotary Club.

    During his collegiate student-athlete days, Pennington was part of "The Streak" – one of the most amazing dynasties in collegiate athletics. Pennington's alma mater, Kalamazoo College in Michigan, has won 78 consecutive conference men's tennis championships dating to 1936 (no titles presented during World War II).

    Pennington was captain his senior season of 2001 and part of an All-America doubles team with partner Andrew Minnelli. He was a Rolex ITA finalist in the fall of 2000 and ranked in the top 20 nationally in doubles. Pennington and the Hornets advanced all four years to the NCAA tournament. During his freshman year he helped the team clinch the bronze medal with a doubles win over Emory. The following year, Kalamazoo finished second in the country. In Pennington's final two years with the Hornets, the squad finished with matching ninth-place finishes.

    His wife, Jenny Sue Pennington, teaches nutrition courses as well as Zumba at Colgate. She was a snowboarding instructor and professional at Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid for seven years, and the couple met there in 2010. They now have two daughters, Mia Shanley and Parker Kaye, and a son, Clifford.

    Tennis Tips by Bobby Pennington:

Camp Details

2026 CAMP DATES

  • July 5-9
  • July 9-12

This camp is open to any and all registrants of all skill levels.

SKILL LEVELS & GROUP PLACEMENT

Upon arrival, all participants are evaluated by the staff so that their own instructional needs can be addressed throughout the week. Campers are then sorted by ability first, then age per the Camp Director's discretion - adjustments are made as needed during camp.

While there are many ways to define skill levels, the following descriptions are what the Camp Directors at Nike Tennis Camps will use to organize and group camp participants. At the time of registration, please choose the level that best represents your athlete's experience:

  • Beginner: Players new to the game with little to no formal tennis instruction. They are still learning the fundamentals, focusing on basic skills and rules of the game. Typically play for recreation and have minimal match-play experience.

  • Intermediate: Players who can serve and sustain rallies with consistency. They are comfortable hitting medium-paced shots but may struggle with all strokes and directional control. Some may have participated in local tournaments and possess a UTR rating or are equivalent to a High School JV player.

  • Advanced: Players with dependable strokes and solid directional control. They demonstrate a strong competitive spirit, improved court coverage, and are developing strategies for both singles and doubles play. These players frequently compete in tournaments and have a USTA or UTR rating, or are equivalent to a High School Varsity player.

CAMP SCHEDULE - SESSION ONE (July 5-9)

  • Overnight Campers Check-in: Check in at 4:00pm on Sunday at Bryan Complex Dorms
  • Full Day & Extended Day Campers Check-in: Check in at 8:45am on Monday at the tennis courts.
  • All Campers Check-out: Check-out for all campers is at 11:30am on Thursday at the tennis courts.
  • Day Camp Program: Monday-Wednesday 8:45am-4:00pm, Thursday 8:30am-11:30am
  • Extended Day Program: Monday-Wednesday 8:45am-5:30pm, Thursday 8:30am-11:30am

CAMP SCHEDULE - SESSION TWO (July 9-12)

  • Overnight Campers: Check-in at 2:00pm on Thursday at Bryan Complex Dorms
  • Full Day & Extended Day Campers Check-in: Check-in at 5:00pm on Thursday at the dorms.
  • All Campers Check-out: Check-out for all campers is at 11:30am on Sunday at the tennis courts.
  • Day Camp Program: Thursday 5:30pm-7:00pm, Friday-Saturday 8:45am-4:00pm, Sunday 8:45am-11:30am
  • Extended Day Program: Thursday 5:30pm-7:00pm, Friday-Saturday 8:45am-5:30pm, Sunday 8:45am-11:30am

ADDRESSES

  • Dorm Hall: Bryan Complex, Oak Dr E Ext, Hamilton, NY 13346
  • Tennis Courts: William A. Reid Athletic Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE FEE?

  • Instruction: Daily tennis training, morning and afternoon sessions
  • Overnight campers: Dormitory housing on campus and all meals are provided
  • All Day campers: Lunch is provided (Except on check-in/out days)
  • Supervision: Staff members reside in rooms strategically placed throughout the dorm to provide optimal supervision and participate in all activities
  • Camp T-shirt & Prizes: All campers receive a Nike Tennis Camps t-shirt and prizes

INSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT, & FACILITY

  • Ratio: Low camper-to-coach ratio
  • Groupings: Campers are grouped by age, ability, and experience
  • Equipment Needed: All campers must bring a tennis racquet, tennis shoes, and a water bottle
  • Facility: Joseph Abrahamson Tennis Courts: 9 regulation outdoor courts, 4 indoor courts
  • Inclement Weather Plan: Indoor courts are available for use as needed. Some drills/games that will be played indoors are space invaders, Olympics, knockout, around the world, and triples. Campers may also have the option of a College seminar talk.
  • Medical Protocol: Most camps have an athletic trainer on-site to help with illness or injury. In case of an emergency, campers will be transported to the nearest hospital

COLGATE REQUIRED FORMS

In addition to US Sports Camps' online forms, the following required forms MUST be submitted prior to the first day of camp. NO FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT CAMP CHECK-IN. Campers will not be permitted without the below forms. These forms can be found in the online Customer Portal under the 'Important Notes' section and they are also linked below:

COLGATE UNIVERSITY REQUIRED FORMS LINKED HERE

  • Colgate Medical Form: This form requires either a physician's signature OR you may bring a copy of your camper's most recent physical and immunization record.
  • Colgate Meningococcal Response Form
  • Colgate Camp Sunscreen and Insect Repellents Permission Form
How to Submit Your Completed Forms:
  1. Email: [email protected]
  2. Fax: (315) 410-5580
  3. Mail:
    Office of Conference Services and Summer Programs
    Colgate University
    13 Oak Drive
    Hamilton, NY 13346

*NO FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT CAMP CHECK-IN. ALL FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED USING ONE OF THE METHODS ABOVE PRIOR TO CAMP STARTING.*

HOUSING

The information below is based on previous years and is subject to change each year. Final housing information for this camp will be provided in the Camp Information Packets and emailed to all campers closer to the camp's start date.

  • Dorm: Bryan Complex Dorms (Oak Dr E Ext, Hamilton, NY 13346)
  • Number of Campers per Room: The Bryan Complex features single and double occupancy rooms with suites. Bedrooms in a suite share a bathroom.
  • Roommates: Rooms are assigned by age & roommate requests. Roommate requests must be mutual and received no later than 14 days before the start of camp. If you don't have a roommate request, you will be placed in a room with someone near your age. It will be a great opportunity to meet someone new!
  • Linens: Bed linens are NOT provided
  • Air Conditioning: The dorms do NOT have A/C. Campers are encouraged to bring a fan. Each floor has a small common lounge and laundry facilities are located in the basement.

TRAVEL

Nike Tennis Camp does not provide any transportation to/from camp from airports, train stations, or bus depots. If you fly into camp, we recommend that you fly into Syracuse Airport and schedule a shuttle/bus from the airport to camp.

MEDICAL STAFF

We have a hospital adjacent to our athletic facilities. We have a team of EMTs on campus 24/7 in accordance with Children's Camp regulations. They hold medications (campers can't keep medication in their rooms) and establish med times, complete paperwork required for the Department of Health, and submit illness and injury reports if necessary. They can provide treatment in emergency situations.

PREPARE FOR CAMP: COMPLETE YOUR PRE-CAMP CHECKLIST

To view your customer account, complete your mandatory forms, pay balance dues, and review important camp information, visit Pre-Camp Checklist. All necessary camp information is on this page. If there are any imperative changes prior to camp start, registered campers will be notified via email and this webpage will be updated!

CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING

Below is a suggested list of clothes, equipment, and personal items. US Sports Camps is NOT responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.

  • Athletic, on-court tennis clothing

  • Tennis Racquet(s)

  • Tennis shoes (no running shoes)

  • Sweatshirt/warm-up jacket and pants

  • Water bottle

  • Sunscreen

  • Signed Health & Release forms and waivers (forms completed online do not need to be printed and turned in at camp)

OVERNIGHT CAMPERS ONLY:

  • Athletic clothing mentioned above (1-2 pairs/day)

  • Comfortable off-court clothing (pants/shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts 1 paid/day)

  • Undergarments (1-2pair/day)

  • Swimsuit and towel (subject to change)

  • Pajamas

  • Shower flip flops

  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)

  • Personal items & medications

  • Washcloth and bath towel

  • Fan (optional)

  • Bed sheets (if linens are not provided)

  • Comforter/blanket (if linens are not provided)

  • Pillow/pillow case (if linens are not provided)

COMPANY POLICIES

For information regarding our cancellation policy and all other company policies, please visit USSC Policies.

NIKE TENNIS CAMP FAQ

For general questions about our tennis camps please see our FAQ page

Camp Code: TNXRCG


Sample Daily Schedule

8:45am Stretching, Camp Meeting at Courts

9:00am Tennis Instruction

10:00am Break

10:15am Tennis Instruction and Drills

11:45am Lunch, Rest, Optional Tennis

1:15pm Tennis Program, Match Play

2:45pm Break

3:00pm Tennis Program, Doubles and Drills

4:00pm Conclusion of Daily Tennis Program

5:30pm Extended Day Campers Depart

WHAT FAMILIES SAY ABOUT Tennis Camp at Colgate University

11 Reviews

  • My son talked about the energy level of the staff as his favorite aspect. We saw their enthusiasm during the closing ceremony but wondered if that was just for the parents -no, it was true the entire camp!!
  • Our daughter cannot stop talking about her week! She feels that the coaches were excellent and so much fun! She will be back next year! She not only had fun playing tennis but all the other activities made it extra special. Thank you!
  • I really enjoyed the competitive match play, the instruction from various coaches throughout the camp, and the fun activities done after tennis.
  • Drills were informative and fun. Evening activities were enjoyable. Good one-on-one experience and attention to detail.
  • Impressed with staff and their experience. My daughter loves the sport , found the dorms and food very good, activities very good, very organized drop off and pick Up, daughter had fun
  • Highlight of the camp- was that they are multiple skill levels of players, and that campers were matched up accordingly to meet their individual needs. We also love the extended day, the ration was 2:1, players for every 1 coach.
  • Receiving an assessment of her overall skills and learning exactly what she needs to do to improve her game. She also loves meeting new people!
  • My son really enjoyed all aspects of it. It seemed challenging yet fun. Getting a taste of dorm living was a good experience, too.
  • Everything! The coaches were outstanding and they kept the kids motivated non stop
  • Making friends and learning new skills
  • Awesome coaching staff

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