Hendricks brings legacy of success
Campus Times
February 14, 1997
In her first year of coaching ULV women's tennis, Erin Hendricks, 26,
is a graduate of Pomona-Pitzer. She plans to earn a master's degree in business
administration from ULV. "She is a strong motivator, and always encourages
me to do my best," said sophomore Pauline Duran.
By day she is a coach and by night she is a graduate student. Any time
in between she is an athlete competing in local tournaments.
Erin Leigh Hendricks is her name and tennis is her game. This 26-year-old
first year coach intends to get a master's of business administration at
the University of La Verne and coach tennis along the way.
She is a graduate from Pomona-Pitzer, where she received a degree in
economics and organizational studies in 1992.
Her athletic talent in the sport of tennis contributed to Pomona-Pitzer's
1992 team's victory of the Division III national title. Hendricks also won
the individual and doubles title in nationals her last two years in college.
"I'd have to say my greatest accomplishment would have to do with
being a national champion," says Hendricks.
Hendricks admires her college tennis coach, Lisa Beckett.
"She installed positive repetitious thoughts, gave me the tools
to control my soft spots and gave me the feeling of confidence, which transfers
not only on the court but in classes, at work and in everyday life,"
said Hendricks.
"She helps us out a lot more in comparison to last year. She works
us more in drills and has a little longer practice," said sophomore
Tracy MacArthur.
Not only did she compete in athletics at a collegiate level, but she
also played at a professional level competing in pro tournaments, better
known as the Satellite Tournament held in Europe and Italy.
"It was real exciting because I met a lot of people including professional
athletes," Hendricks said.
In the fall, Hendricks tested the waters competing in the Pro-Am tournaments.
Despite a loss in the semi-finals to professional players Ann Moll and Danielle
Scott, Hendricks is nationally ranked.
She is ranked nationally in the top 10 in doubles and the top 50 in
singles.
The spotlight probably first hit her in high school, where she was an
outstanding tennis player. While attending Estancia High School in Costa
Mesa, she won the Division 4A California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)
Tournament for three consecutive years (1985-88), starting with her sophomore
year.
"Playing tennis is a personal satisfaction," Hendricks said.
"It makes me feel strong and I like walking off the court in a good
sweat and a nice match."
Though this is her first year coaching at the collegiate level, Hendricks
is no amateur when it comes to coaching tennis. In 1992-93, she coached
at her high school alma mater. After that, she taught private lessons while
she was affiliated with South Lakes Tennis Center Country Club in Irvine.
Before the La Verne coaching job, Hendricks was a sales representative
for a telecommunications company. Now as a coach, she is enjoying what she
is doing.
"It is nice to be doing what I love," said Hendricks. "Looking
back now, I realize that I have always been satisfied with coaching."
She feels that seeing improvements in the members is a good accomplishment.
"I stress on playing to win instead of fear of losing," she said,
"I let them know that they can win."
Not only that but her current athletes know that she is a real person.
"We've gotten to know each other and I think they respect and trust
me," said Hendricks.
The Chicago native is a competitive and athletic individual. She also
competed in gymnastics as a child and moved on to golf and track and field
in high school.
"My friend and I decided to go out for track because we thought
the coach was cute," said Hendricks. But she went out there and did
well anyhow.
Aside from tennis, Hendricks plays golf on a regular basis. Her first
priority in life is to be healthy and have fun and she seems to be doing
both with no problems.
"My parents are my inspiration," says Hendricks. "I am
who I am because of them."
Hendricks' parents were both athletes at Case Western College in Cleveland.
Her father, Bob, competed in swimming, basketball and tennis, while her
mother, Sharon, competed in field hockey and tennis. They currently live
in Houston. Other siblings include one older brother, Brad, 30, who graduated
from UC Santa Barbara and plays semi-professional soccer in San Francisco.
Her parents pushed the two children when it came to academics.
"Not only the friendship and love they have for each other, but
professionally, they are very successful and are given a lot of respect
by the many people they know," she said.
Although they are all separated, quality time is still a big factor
in their lives and they visit each other quite often.
Hendricks lives with her boyfriend of two years, Matt Hughes. They have
a pet cat named Cletis, named for a character in the movie, "The Nutty
Professor."
She said she is an above average, friendly and loveable person who sometimes
intimidates people because she is loud and really outgoing.
"I cut straight to the point and people sometimes think I am hard
to talk to, but really I'm not," Hendricks said.
Someday, maybe after getting her MBA, Hendricks hopes to land a career
teaching and coaching at a higher level not only on the courts, but either
a business type or organizational class.
But for now, Hendricks will continue coaching ULV's women's tennis team
and hopes to lead them into national competition. She and her squad have
a game against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tomorrow at Claremont.