University at Buffalo Nike Tennis Camp Buffalo, New York
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Join us for the Nike Tennis Camp at the University at Buffalo and get better at a location close to home! Weeklong day camps to accommodate beginners through advanced players. As one of our newest Nike Camp locations, this is a great place to come get better and have fun along the way!
The Nike Tennis Camp at the University at Buffalo will be a week full of fun and hard work. Players will learn correct grips, strokes, positioning, and footwork.. There will be a concentration on shot selection, consistency drills, and singles and doubles tactics. All campers will participate in various drills, watch demonstrations and compete in match play to further develop their skills and understanding of the game.
Highlights Include
- 5-6 hours of daily on-court instruction with a low camper to staff ratio of 6:1
- On-court instruction from Head Men's Coach, Lee Nickell and his experienced staff
- Nike Tennis Camp t-shirt and merit based Nike prizes
- Safe, healthy and fun learning environment
Located in suburban Amherst, approximately 30 minutes from Niagara Falls, the University at Buffalo boasts a beautiful setting. The university's bustling North Campus, is the home of The University Tennis Center at the Ellicot Tennis Courts. The Center features a 13 plexipave hardcourt tennis complex.
Meet your coaching staff
Camp Director
Lee Nickell
Lee Nickell, who is entering his 3rd season as head coach at University of Buffalo, returns as Nike Tennis Camp Director. Nickell, a former assistant coach and Nike Director (for five seasons,) with the University of Alabama, is excited to be bringing the Nike Tennis Camp tradition to the University of Buffalo.
Read Full BioNickell is in his third season as head coach at Buffalo. Previously, he was as an assistant coach at Fresno State. Before that he spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Alabama, helping guide the Crimson Tide to a Top 12 national ranking.
Nickell coached at Fresno State, helping the Bulldogs to a final ranking of 44th in the nation and a 17-9 overall dual match record, while working alongside head coach Jay Udwadia, a Buffalo native. The Bulldogs narrowly missed an at large bid into the NCAA Tournament, but Nickell did coach Rudolf Siwy, who made it to the singles draw of the NCAA Championships. Siwy finished the season as the 54th ranked singles player in the nation. As for doubles, Siwy joined with Mirko Zapletal to finish 41st in the nation.
Prior to his stint at Fresno State, Nickell was an assistant coach at the University of Alabama, where in three seasons he helped move the Crimson Tide from 74th in the nation to the top 12. Alabama went 55-31 during the four seasons that Nickell was an assistant coach there. Alabama made the NCAA Tournament in all three years, including an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen in 2006. He also helped coach three individual players to the NCAA Championships including one doubles pair that went two years in a row.
Nickell graduated in 2001 from Furman University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. At Furman he played number one singles from 1998-02. He was a three year captain and was named to the All-Southern Conference Team twice in singles and once in doubles. Furman made their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2001. At Furman, Nickell played for legendary men’s tennis coach Paul Scarpa, who this past season became the all-time winningest coach in Division I men’s tennis history.
Program
This year we are offering two weeks of day camp for campers ages 9-18 of all ability levels. Camp will run daily from 9:00am-4:00pm and campers should bring their own lunch. Training will include stroke development and consistency drills and match play in the afternoons.
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: 9:00am Monday at Ellicott Tennis Center.
Award Ceremony: Friday at 2:00pm at Ellicott Tennis Center. Parents are encouraged to attend.
Check Out: Departure from camp is anticipated to be around 2:30pm after the Award Ceremony.
Daily Program Schedule & Information
Camp will start at 9:00am each morning at the tennis courts. Day campers will leave after all tennis activities at 4:00pm. Campers 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. 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
- 9:00am Meet at courts, warm up, stretch, morning demo, stroke breakdown and court assignments
- 9:20am Instruction, drills technique development
- 11:55am Morning wrap up, review, mail call
- 12:10pm Lunch, supervised town trip
- 1:30pm Meet at courts, warm up, stretch, strategy session, match play, sport activity
- 3:30pm Afternoon review, wrap up
- 4:00pm End of daily tennis program
Parent of Camper
Wonderful Experience
Carmen had a wonderful experience, received great instruction and enjoyed the matchplay with the other campers.
Parent of Camper
Commending the Staff
First-rate! Coach Nickell & Coach Kindervater & their entire staff are to be commended for an enthusiastic & well-run program.
Parent of Camper
Connecting With Coaches
The coaching was excellent and my son really connected with them and enjoyed the camp. This was a great tennis camp!
Past Camper
Wonderful experience!
I enjoyed the camp very much. It was a wonderful experience and I would reccomend it to any one who likes tennis. This camp was wonderful.The staff is very encouraging as are the other tennis players. This camp gave me a much stronger tennis background!!
Parents of Camper
Constructive Commentary
Our son had a great time and I am glad Lee and his staff focused on stretching and conditioning as well. We also like the fact the video taped the kids and gave constructive comments! Can't wait until next year!