Tennis anyone...?
The winning players all made statements that they loved to come to Midland for this tournament because of the friendly atmosphere and great fans. I can appreciate the first comment, but frankly I was somewhat embarassed by the second as the stands at the Racquet Club were only marginally filled even for the men's finals on Sunday. And the crowd for the women's? Well except for me, their coaches and a few others interested parties the seats were all but vacant.
I was interested in the women's finals on Sunday because during my visit on Saturday I had met and befriended the Pepperdine team and their coach Gualberto Escudero. As alert readers may recall I earned my MBA from Pepperdine and so they were my hometown favorite. And they didn't disappoint as Sylvia Kosakowski won the women's singles title fairly easily beating her opponent from UCLA. Interestingly enough Coach Escudero had played at Pepperdine in the mid to late 1960's, playing in tournaments against some of the people I knew from my undergrad days at Trinity University.
It was a grand tournament, fine weather [except for a shower late Sat.] fun and if you have any interest in tennis and didn't go, then try and make it next year. Several of the kids participating made a point of thanking me for being in attendance to watch them play. And.....Coach Escudero gave me his Pepperdine tennis hat and a T-Shirt. What more could one ask?
 | I'm not going to lecture here, but I am always amazed when I hear people in Midland say that the town is a great place to live but that there is nothing to do for entertainment. As I say, I'm not going to lecture, but......where were you folks this weekend at the NCAA tennis tournament? This was big league sports entertainment but I've seen larger crowds at St. Ann's School 5th grade basketball games. |
I was interested in the women's finals on Sunday because during my visit on Saturday I had met and befriended the Pepperdine team and their coach Gualberto Escudero. As alert readers may recall I earned my MBA from Pepperdine and so they were my hometown favorite. And they didn't disappoint as Sylvia Kosakowski won the women's singles title fairly easily beating her opponent from UCLA. Interestingly enough Coach Escudero had played at Pepperdine in the mid to late 1960's, playing in tournaments against some of the people I knew from my undergrad days at Trinity University.
It was a grand tournament, fine weather [except for a shower late Sat.] fun and if you have any interest in tennis and didn't go, then try and make it next year. Several of the kids participating made a point of thanking me for being in attendance to watch them play. And.....Coach Escudero gave me his Pepperdine tennis hat and a T-Shirt. What more could one ask?
