From the outside, it would appear that collegiate tennis, like professional and recreational tennis, is a sport for individuals, where success and failure rest solely on the player on court. This could not be further from the truth. The success of a collegiate tennis team, and more specifically, a division III team, depends upon a successful team dynamic. It is true that the player still must play, and the better the player, the better the chances for success. But outside variables must not be overlooked, and at the division III level, there are a variety of variables that can positively and negatively affect the outcome of a match, season or career.

1) Physical Skill: The skill of players at this level varies drastically, and can be enhanced or reduced by the following variables.
2) Mental Strength: Some players just seem to know how to win, and others never seem to figure it out. This is often what makes a successful DIII player.
3) Experience: Some players enter collegiate tennis with a wealth of junior tournament experience, and others merely high school tennis. From the nationally ranked to the multi-sport athlete, division III accommodates these players out of philosophy and necessity.
4) Conditioning: The great equalizer. For some conditioning is a strength and asset, for others a weakness. For all, the better the condition, the more one can focus on playing.
5) Academics: A reality at this level is that these are STUDENT-athletes, and their primary responsibility is in the classroom. This is more of a priority for some than for others.
These variables are at play within a team and from program to program, and affect the outcome of matches more than technique, ball striking ability, and strategy combined. The ability to neutralize and take advantage of these variables and more is the primary function of a successful team culture.

 In order to create a culture, it is crucial to understand what the definition of the word means, and how it will be applicable to our program.
Definition: cul•ture (k l ch r) n.
1.
a. The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.
b. These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population: Edwardian culture; Japanese culture; the culture of poverty.
c. These patterns, traits, and products considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: religious culture in the Middle Ages; musical culture; oral culture.
d. The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.
2. Intellectual and artistic activity and the works produced by it.
3.
a. Development of the intellect through training or education.
b. Enlightenment resulting from such training or education.
4. A high degree of taste and refinement formed by aesthetic and intellectual training.

Now that we have a working definition of the term, we can begin to understand how it works within a tennis program.

The goals of our culture are to account for the aforementioned variables and create an atmosphere and environment that is fosters improvement and motivation (encompasses the unique qualities of the student-athlete, coach, and institution). It is the responsibility of the coach to allow players to recognize the importance and value of a successful team culture, and to assist in its creation. It is the responsibility and role of the players to enhance, foster, embrace, and carry on this culture as the cornerstone of a successful program.

1) The Foundation : This includes knowledge of team history, trust, commitment, accountability, and an understanding of what those mean and how they are applicable.

2) Language: How you interpret information is a key element of the culture. We are at all times striving to improve how we communicate, but we must also strive to improve how we listen. We have a tendency to hear what we want to hear, and if we are trying to prove something, we will find it. As part of our culture, we want to be successful; in order for this to happen, we must learn to be successful communicators and listeners.

3) Bond: Knowledge of those around you; the better that you know your teammates, the closer the bond that you have with them. It is not essential to be “best friends” with your teammates, but it is crucial to understand them, know their history, interests, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses, and to let them know you. We all fall into the pattern of making judgments based on our own experiences (seeing the world through our own lenses), and thus acting harshly when those around us fail in our eyes. It is the duty of all in the program to create an atmosphere of empathy and understanding. When one player looks across the court to his teammate, he is motivated by eyes that truly understand his situation, and can motivate him in a language that they both share.

4) Shared Experience: You will spend more time with your teammates than any other individuals, more even than your family. Every shared experience has the potential to create a bond and bring you closer. The potential is also there to cause separation. It is your responsibility to turn an experience into a bonding experience.

5) Leadership: The cornerstone to a successful culture is leadership. Everyone must lead in a way that they are capable. The best leaders are those that reflect the culture that they are attempting to create and develop.

6) Ritual: How we behave as a team in all manners regarding the team. This constitutes pre and post game meals, warm-up routines, practices. From the music that we play, to the clothing that we wear, we represent Hell Hen culture. These rituals are a product of necessity and choice, and should aid the team in gaining an advantage whenever possible.

Your journey towards a National Championship begins on your first day at Pomona-Pitzer and is a part of your legacy as a human being. If you feel unprepared for such a lofty life enhancing experience; good, you should. If you feel prepared, you are fooling yourself and have much to learn.

A National Championship is a culmination of hard work, dedication, commitment, trust, development, talent, failure, and success. Just as a trophy is a symbol and not a goal, so is a championship. Every year over three hundred tennis programs begin with an opportunity to achieve National Championship status, and through the course of a short season, that number dwindles rapidly. Eventually, eight teams gather to compete for the ultimate reward. Each of those eight deserve to win, yet only one can win. Our goal is to become one of the eight. There is no timetable to this goal, as there can never be a timetable. Creating such a restriction creates pressure and tension that directly opposes the goal. We can only control that which is ours to control and time is not one of those things. That being said, here are the characteristics of the team for which you are a member:

Straight Talk:
This is a basic operating principle and part of your commitment to this team and program. Say what is true to you. Call people out on their behavior, positive and negative. Inherent to this is holding yourself accountable in order for your word to hold meaning. This, like every one of these characteristics is a constant challenge. Things can often seem petty and insignificant, but if left ignored, these petty issues can create problems.

Commitment Driven:
We are committed to being a National Championship Team, and that is a part of everything that we do, from the tiniest insignificant detail to the largest aspect. It manifests in the way that you handle every aspect of your life.

Leadership:
Anyone can lead, and everyone is expected to lead. We all will work to make this an exceptional environment in which everyone feels comfortable and can become their best. Everyone must feel free to lead and contribute. Leadership takes many forms, and is a major part of one’s development.

Communication:
You are fully engaged at all times. Understand the perspective of the speaker, and learn to interpret positives instead of negatives. Your job is to prove the communicator right.

Support:
You will not fail because you are my teammate. I will not let you fail because I am your teammate and I am in this with you. I will call you on your shortcomings, praise your on your successes, and stand with you. You will do the same.

Honesty:
Tell the truth to the best of your ability, no withholding.

Speedy Resolution to Complaints:
This keeps us in our relationships. When something is “off,” deal with it directly.

Coaching:
Coaching comes in all directions, and it is based on the abovementioned characteristics.

Integrity:
Honor your word. Actions are governed by what you say. If you say it, do it. Make your word your bond, and make your actions mirror your word.

There are three distinct centers that we focus on developing in every situation. They are: physical, mental, and emotional. Concentration on one center without regards to the others can lead to imbalance and injury. This will be the focal point of our training.

Physical:
We strive to train the body to perform the physical tasks required from our sport. We train our muscles to be in condition so as to give us confidence in its abilities (conditioning/ weight training). We train our muscles to do repetitive tasks in order for us to have faith in their abilities (practice). We train our muscles to be efficient so as to allow us to relax (injury prevention). This center is developed through conditioning, weight training, drilling, match play, etc.

Mental:
We strive to clear our minds during competition and allow our bodies to perform their tasks. We train our minds to focus on simple tasks (seeing the ball) so as to release our body to muscle memory. We train our minds on and off the court; in the classroom and in matches; in meditation and during drills. This center is developed through physical training, visualization, meditation, and a general awareness as to additional opportunities throughout the day.

Emotional:
We strive to manage and accept our emotions and not to be ruled by them. When we are frustrated, we admit our frustration, accept it, and release it. We do the same with fear, exhilaration, sorrow, and anger. We practice this on and off the court; in our jobs, our social lives (relationships), and beyond. This center, like the Mental center can be developed during physical training and also throughout the day.

By emphasizing balance, and strengthening all three centers, we become aware of existing imbalances, and will efficiently improve and develop.