May 11, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame men’s associate head men’s tennis coach Ryan Sachire has been named the 2011 Men’s USTA Collegiate Coach, it was announced by the USTA Tuesday afternoon. Sachire and assistant Alabama coach, Bo Hodge, who also coached last year’s team, will coach 12 of the top American collegiate tennis players.
“I couldn’t be more proud and excited than I am to have been selected as one of the two USTA National Collegiate Team coaches,” associate head coach Ryan Sachire said. “Knowing the quality of the other candidates who applied for this job, I am truly humbled to have been chosen to lead this group of elite American-born college players into action this summer.”
The elite training program for the American collegiate tennis players began in 1996 and is funded by the USTA. It is a unique program that provides players with exposure to the USTA Pro Circuit in a team-oriented environment. For the players who are chosen, there will be a Pro Tour Transition camp from June 9-15 in Boca Raton, Fla. on clay courts.
For the third consecutive year, the teams consisting of 12 participants, will be named following the NCAA Championship, which is held from May 19-30 at the Taube Tennis Center in Palo Alto, Calif. The members of the team will be selected based on their performance at the NCAA Championship, as well as the ITA All-Americans and National Indoor Championships. The selection committee will also examine results from the USTA Pro Circuit, ATP or WTA events also will be considered. Current pros who have participated in the program are James Blake, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, John Isner, Amer Delic, Jesse Levine, Irina Falconi and Jesse Witten.
Sachire is no stranger to the USTA pro circuit as he spent five years competing in the program, winning 16 double titles. Prior to being on the Pro Circuit, Sachire was a standout tennis student-athlete for the Irish. He was defeated by current pro, Blake in the ITA All-American Championships and was named the 2000 ITA National Senior Player of the Year. He was also a three-time member of the USTA Collegiate Team.
“As a player, I was a member of the same National Collegiate Team about a decade ago, and I know how much the program did for me both as a college player and as a professional,” Sachire said. My goal now is to help this next generation of elite players reach their potential in this sport, and to aid in the USTA’s quest to produce Top 100 in the world players.”
Sachire’s coaching partner, Hodge is in his third season as the assistant men’s tennis coach for Alabama. Hodge competed at the professional level for a short time, before he served as a coach and hitting partner for Venus and Serena Williams in 2006 and Mardy Fish in 2007. Hodge competed at Georgia, where he helped his team to the 2001 NCAA Championship. He concluded the 2001 and 2004 seasons ranked No. 2 in the country and reached the 2004 NCAA doubles final with current American professional, Isner.
“I want to thank both the USTA for selecting me for such a role in their organization, as well as Notre Dame for giving me the venue and opportunity to be chosen for such a selective appointment, Sachire said.”
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