Colgate University Nike Tennis Camp Hamilton, New York
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We are excited to offer our 2nd year of Nike Tennis Camp on the beautiful campus of Colgate University. Campers will work hard, have fun and take their game to the next level. Come join the fun and get better at this summer camp for kids!
Colgate is a nationally recognized liberal arts college set on a beautiful campus in central New York. This camp is geared towards players of all ability levels ages 9-18, with a special component the second week for high schoolers. Our goal is to give players the opportunity to hit thousands of balls, improve their technique, and be challenged by some of the best players in their peer group. Our camps combine technical tennis instruction and drilling from a top notch coaching staff, supervised match play, and a variety of evening social activities.
Highlights Include
- 5-6 hours of daily on-court instruction with a low camper to staff ratio of 6:1
- Fun off-court evening activities for overnight campers
- Daily instruction from head men's coach and his experienced staff
- Safe, healthy and fun environment
- Nike amenity package including camper t-shirt and merit based prizes
Dedicated on April 24, 1994, the Joseph Abrahamson Tennis Courts serve as the outdoor facilities for Colgate's men's and women's tennis teams. Equipped with nine regulation courts, the facility is the home for the majority of Raider practices, dual matches, and tournaments. Once called Memorial Tennis Court, the facility was renamed after the passing of Abrahamson who served as the men's varsity coach from 1965-1992 and the women's varsity coach from 1973-1992. A plaque with his likeness now sits outside the court in his memory.
The Charles H. Sanford Fieldhouse gives Colgate athletic teams one of the finest indoor practice facilities in the Northeast and Patriot League with its artificial surface. The facility houses four tennis courts.
Meet your coaching staff
Co-Director
Bobby Pennington
Bobby Pennington was named head coach of the Colgate University men and women's tennis teams in July 2006.
In just four years, Pennington has led both the men and women's teams to three consecutive appearances in the Patriot League Tournament. Under his tutelage the men's team has tallied an overall record of 40-37 and the women have garnered a record of 39-37. His players have been named all-league 15 times and have earned six Player of the Month awards.
The 2008-09 season eclipsed previous years with the men posting an overall record of 12-8 and finishing second in the Patriot League after regular season play. During the 08-09 season the Raiders won five matches by a score of 4-3, defeated Army for the first time in seven years and advanced to the semi-final round of the conference tournament. Both MacIntyre and John Nogueras were named to the All-Patriot League teams, with MacIntyre earning first team accolades and Nogueras earning second team.
In 2007-08 the women got off to its best start since 1993-94, winning its first six matches that included three shutouts. With a 2-2 mark in league player, the Raiders earned the No. 3 seed in the tournament. After dispatching Lafayette in the first round, Colgate fell to Bucknell in the semifinals. Despite the loss, the Raiders recorded its second straight winning season with an 11-9 record.
In 2008-09 the women's team posted an 8-13 record, earning them the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament. The Raiders defeated No. 4 seeded Holy Cross in the first round to advance to the semi-finals where they fell to defending champ Army. Elise DeRose was named to the All-Patriot League First Team.
In 2009-10 the men's team finished with a 9-8 record and the women finished 9-7. Both teams finished in the top four in the Patriot League after regular season. The men beat No. one seeded Army for the second straight year in regular season while the women lost in Patriot League semifinals to Army. Michael Yassky, John Nogueras and Elise DeRose were named to the All-Patriot League second team .
Prior to taking the job at Colgate, Pennington spent two years as head coach of the men and women's tennis teams at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. In his two years with the Eagles, Pennington coached six all-conference selections and two league Rookies of the Year.
In the spring of 2006, he helped the men's team set a school record for wins in a season with 13 and in 2005, he guided the women to a 7-4 record after the squad recorded just one win the year before.
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 2002-2004, taking 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 ralley ball instructor at Blair Racquet Club. Pennington also spent time coaching boys and girls tennis at Hollidaysburg Area High School in 2001 and 2002.
A 2001 graduate of Kalamazoo College, 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 University. 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. He captained the team during his senior year, excelling in doubles play. He was a doubles finalist at the Midwest Rolex Championship and was ranked in the top 20 nationally as a doubles player in the fall of 2000.
Co-Director
Courtney Vernon
Courtney Vernon comes to Colgate after serving as a coach and assistant at tennis professional Kelly Jones’ training center in Tampa, Florida.
Read Full Bio
A 2009 graduate of the University of South Florida, Vernon earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology while playing at both the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions. A team captain during the 2006-07 season Vernon competed at the 2006 NCAA singles championship and compiling a record of 23-0 that year. She has been ranked as high as #38 nationally in collegiate singles.
During her senior year, Vernon served as an undergraduate assistant coach for the USF tennis team. Her duties included assisting in practices, developing practice plans and working individually with players.
Additionally Vernon has competed in professional tournaments in the U.S., Japan, Mexico and Australia. Vernon defeated the #200 ranked singles player in the world and has reached a WTA ranking as high as #638 in singles.
Program
This year we are offering two weeks of overnight and day camp (9:00am-4:00pm). This camp is geared towards players of all ability levels ages 9-18, with a special component the second week for high school players. Day campers bring their own lunch.
Upon arrival, all participants are evaluated by the staff so that their own instructional needs can be addressed throughout the week.
Check-In and Check-out times
Check-In: Overnight campers: 4:00pm on Sunday at the Cutten Complex dorms.
Day campers: 8:30am on Monday at the courts. (Day campers stay until 4:00pm on check-in day.)
Check-Out: All Campers: 11:30am on Thursday at the tennis courts.
Day Campers Schedule & Information
• Check-in: 8:30am on Monday at the courts.
• Day campers should come dressed to play as we will head straight to the courts after check-in.
• Day Campers depart each day at 4:00pm (except Thursday)
• Check-out: 11:30am on Thursday at the tennis courts for all campers.
• Day campers bring their own lunch each day.
Dorms
Campers will reside in single and double rooms in the Cutten Complex (close to tennis courts). Every 4 campers share 1 bathroom. There is no A/C is dorms. Campers can bring fans. Roommates are assigned by requests then by age and gender.
Weekend Stayovers: Weekend stayovers are not available at this location.
Designated Airport: Syracuse Hancock
Travel
Nike Tennis Camp does not provide any transportation to/from camp from airport, 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.
If you have a camper arriving by air and is deemed an “unaccompanied minor” by the airlines and must be met by a camp staff or shuttle company employee, there may be a fee of $50 that needs to be paid in advance of camp. You will still have to arrange transportation to/from camp. Please call 1-800-645-3226 two weeks prior to camp to provide camper’s flight and shuttle information.
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.
Registration Packet
A detailed camper registration packet containing check in location, health/release forms, emergency contact info, and a list of things to bring will be emailed to all registered campers in the Spring. Our health and release forms do not require a doctor's signature and they will be collected on the first day of camp.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 8:30am Stretching, Camp Meeting at Courts
- 8:45am 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
- 4:15pm Groups or Private Extra Help, Optional Tennis, Swimming
- 5:00pm Rest, Shower, Dinner
- 7:15pm Evening Activity
- 9:00pm Extended Day Campers Depart
- 9:30pm Overnight Campers to Rooms
- 10:15pm Lights Out
Past Camper
Excited to Return
I love the Nike tennis camp! I can't wait to come again next year and see all my friends and stay for longer!
Parent of Camper
Appreciating Individual Attention
Very impressed with coaches and staff as a whole. They took time to give individual attention to my son and his confidence really grew. He wants to go back next year and has told all his friends that they should go with him.
Past Camper
I see the improvement!
Super fun. Want to go again. Really helped my second serve.
Past Camper
Great coaches!
Loved the coaches at Colgate !!!
Parent of Camper
Definite Improvement
My son, Jeremy, had a great time at camp. I can tell his tennis game has improved and he seems much more passionate about the game. I would recommend this camp to others.