Sacred Heart University Nike Tennis Camp Fairfield, Connecticut
The Sacred Heart Nike Tennis Camp is a day camp for young athletes to come and vastly improve their tennis game. Our camps combine technical instruction and drilling from a top notch coaching staff, supervised match play, and a variety of fun activities.
The Sacred Heart Nike Tennis Camp focuses on instruction as well as match play, giving each camper a positive learning environment to enhance their skills, foster teamwork, self-confidence and good sportsmanship. Our goal at this summer camp 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. Campers will work hard, make new friends and have a lot of fun. Join us this summer and take your game to the next level!
Highlights Include
- 5-6 hours of daily instruction with low camper to staff ratio and 24 hour supervision
- Daily instruction from top teaching pros, Mike Guastelle and Paul Gagliardi, and their experienced staff
- We offer a "10 and Under Tennis" program, featuring smaller courts and lighter, lower-bouncing balls
- Every camper receives a Nike Tennis Camp T-shirt
- Safe, healthy and fun environment
Situated on Sacred Heart University’s main campus in beautiful, suburban, Fairfield.Sacred Heart has outdoor courts. In the event of rain, we will make up days later in the week.
Meet your coaching staffMike Guastelle
Mike Guastelle is in his 19th year as a member of the Sacred Heart University athletic department. Mike currently holds the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director/Operations as well as Director of Tennis/Head Women's Tennis Coach.
Read Full BioPrior to being named Senior Associate AD, Mike served as Director of Athletic Communications for seven years (1994-2000) as well as men's tennis coach from 1994-2005. As a coach, Mike was the 1997 New England Collegiate Conference's women's tennis "Coach of the Year", led the men's tennis program to the finals of the Northeast Conference Tennis Championships in 2004, and led his women's program to their first New England Intercollegiate Championship in 2005. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sports Management as well as a master's degree in Athletic Administration from Springfield College. Mike resides in Fairfield with his wife Karen and son Jake (7).
Co-Director
Paul Gagliardi
Paul Gagliardi is entering his seventh season at the reigns of the men's tennis program in 2012-13.
Read Full BioThe Pioneers finished the 2010 season with the best record in the programs history at 16-8 including an undefeated run through the Northeast Conference in dual match play in he regular season. The Pioneers were led by Kirill Kasyanov who took home the program's first-ever NEC Player of the Year award.
In addition to Kasyanov's Player of the Year honors, Gagliardi received NEC coach of the Year and ITA Regional Coach of the year. Gagliardi coached six players to All-NEC recognition in 2010-2011 and Kasyanov along with teammates, Nick Mazzarese, Chadd Sullo and Cole Conrad earned first team accolades while Michael Syer and Chris Ujkic earned a spot on the second team.
Gagliardi led the team to their second NCAA tournament appearance against University of Virginia. The first-ever Northeast Conference Championship resulted in a trip to the NCAA tournament and the University of Texas.
Over the last five years Gagliardi has elevated the Sacred Heart men's program to one of top tennis programs in the East. Year-in and year-out, Gagliardi prepares the Pioneers for NEC action by putting together one of the strongest schedules in the region including the likes of Georgetown, Villanova, Harvard, Dartmouth, Boston College and Stony Brook. This year they will be in the hunt for a return bid to the NCAA Championships. In addition to their success on the courts the program has achieve academic excellence as well earning the ITA All-Academic Team Award (3.2+ G.P.A. for the year) for 2009-2010. In 2009 Gagliardi was selected as the Northeast Conference Coach of the Year.
Before coming to Sacred Heart, he served as an assistant coach for the Yale University tennis program from 1999 to 2002 where he helped lead the men's program to a top-50 national ranking. He contributed to the recruiting efforts at both national and international events and initiated several community outreach programs. Gagliardi has served as the Coordinator for Connecticut for the United States Tennis Association in New England. He has coordinated events and programs to promote tennis with colleges, community groups and tennis clubs in the state.
A member of the USPTA since 1995 as a tennis professional and coach, Gagliardi has traveled internationally as a player and was the #1 ranked New England men's open division tennis player. He has coached and trained world ranked men's and women's tennis players and has participated in the Pilot Pen International tennis tournament as a hitting partner. In 2006, Gagliardi was named the USPTA New England Tennis Professional of the Year.
At Providence College, Gagliardi was a four-year starter on the men's tennis team and led the team to top regional ranking. Gagliardi served as a team captain during the 1995-1996 season and also received the school's senior award for academic and athletic excellence. After graduating from Providence, Gagliardi began his coaching and teaching career at Branford High School where he led the boy's team to an undefeated season and also taught mathematics.
Gagliardi and his wife Julie have two children Lillian and Luke, they currently live in Branford
Program
(Camp Code: TNXDST)
This year we are offering three weeks of Junior day camp from 9:00am-3:00pm for kids ages 7-18 for players of all abilities. Mike Guastelle directs two sessions and Paul Gagliardi directs one session.
Tournament Training and High School Sessions:
In addition to the All Skills program, this year we are offering Tournament Training and High School programs during the second week of camp. Make sure to note that you would like to participate in these programs when you register.
- The tournament training program is geared towards tournament level and ranked players looking to improve their tournament results, learn winning strategies, and work on mental toughness.
- The high school session is provided for players currently on their high school team and wanting to move up the ladder or those planning on making the high school team.
10 and Under Tennis:
In addition, we offer a “10 and Under Tennis” program, featuring the USTA’s successful new teaching format. This is an exciting new way kids 10 and under are learning to play tennis as well as compete. The courts are smaller and balls are low-compression so they are easier to hit, allowing kids to get to the ball and develop optimal swing patterns. It all makes it easy and fun for them to hit, play and score from the start, while developing skills that will last a lifetime. Please note: This program is optional and younger campers may opt to play regular tennis on the full courts. For more information on “10 and Under Tennis” programs nationwide, Click Here to check out the USTA website.
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: Monday at 8:45am at the Tennis Courts (located across from the William H. Pitt Center).
Check-Out: Friday at 3:00pm at the courts.
Daily Program Schedule & Information
Day Camp runs 9:00am to 3:00pm (Monday through Friday).
Meals: Campers should bring their own lunch.
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. PLEASE NOTE: Our health and release forms require a doctor's signature and they will be collected on the first day of camp.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 9:00am Introduction and rules of the camp
- 9:15am Stroke of the Day
- 9:30am Drills involving the Stroke of the Day
- 11:15am Lunch break for half the group / others playing matches or games
- 12:15pm Lunch for alternate group / others playing matches or games
- 1:15pm Stroke of the Day II
- 1:30pm Drills involving Stroke of the Day II
- 2:30pm Games/contests
- 3:00pm Departure
Parent of Camper
Valued Video Taping
The director, Mike, and his coaches were very nice and attentive. They made it a very enjoyable experience for my 9-year old. He especially loved the video-taping of his game.
Parent of Camper
BIG Thank You!
THANK YOU, CHARLIE IN CALIFORNIA, FOR ANSWERING ALL OF MY QUESTIONS, TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH ME AT LENGTH ABOUT YOUR TENNIS CAMP, AND EXPRESSING SINCERE CONCERN FOR ME AND MY SON. MICHAEL HAD A TERRIFIC EXPERIENCE AT YOUR TENNIS CAMP IN YOUR HOMETOWN OF FAIRFIELD, CT AND MADE SOME WONDERFUL CONNECTIONS. YOU WILL HAVE HIM ENROLLED IN YOUR CAMP AGAIN NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
Parent of Camper
Excellent instruction!
Paul Gagliardi helped my son's game by providing excellent instruction and positive feedback.
Parent of Camper
Great atmosphere at camp!
My son had a great week. There was a great atmosphere every day when I collected him. Thank you
Parent of Camper
First Time Success
My daughter really loved the camp and this was a first time for her. Many thanks and she will come back next year. She had fun (very important) and her skills and interest increased greatly. We are playing tennis this morning and I need a new racquet.
Parent of Camper
Super Staff
Both of my children really enjoyed the camp. The staff was terrific at teaching them as well as in their supervision and handling of the kids.