Oklahoma State University Athletics
Q&A With Cowboy Tennis Coach Jay Udwadia
June 26, 2012 | Cowboy Tennis
June 26, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. – New men's tennis coach Jay Udwadia visited with okstate.com after settling in at his new job with Oklahoma State. Some of his comments:
What was your first impression of OSU and Stillwater?
“I was impressed by the facility and very impressed by the buildings and campus. Everything was uniform. It looked like a big time athletic program and campus. Stillwater seems like one of those college towns where everyone comes out and supports and it has that type of makeup. It's really cool to be part of a town where we are basically the big show and I know the people will support our team as much as possible.”
What was the first thing you did in Stillwater upon arriving?
“Well, the first thing was Chris Young took me to the Atherton, and I thought that was kind of neat, having a hotel on campus. He then took me around to see the layout of the town and where the housing was.”
What sold you on taking the job at Oklahoma State University?
“It is a huge athletic program, and they are doing exceptionally well in all their sports. I know it is a program that can go to great heights, and you can reach your goals there. That was very attractive to me. I know we have the potential to be great here, and the commitment from the AD and the athletic department is there, so I love those aspects.”
What has your main focus been since being hired?
“Our main focus was contacting the players and letting them know they have a new coach and I have been in touch with them just seeing how their summer schedule is going to pan out. Besides that, we have a lot of recruiting to do. I just came back from Europe, and we have been recruiting at the Missouri Valley Sectionals as well, so we are in heavy recruiting mode right now.”
How much do you know about OSU's Tennis history, and how do you plan on building upon the legacy established by James Wadley?
“I know quite a bit. I've played Oklahoma State at both my two former schools, Drake and Fresno State, and I know they've had some great teams. Coach Wadley had been there a long time, and he has created a good solid program. We are looking to bring the program as high as we can and the sky is the limit.With the resources and commitment from the athletic director, we are excited to try and bring the team to new heights.”
You said upon arrival that you are going to establish a good foundation and culture as a team here at Oklahoma State. Can you go into more detail on how you will do that?
“Every coach is different, so when there is a coaching change, youhave a different philosophy, different type of rules, so I think it isimportant to get in there right away and establish solid relationships with the players and teach them the way that we like to do things. The culture is great, the kids are great, and I have gotten to know them over phone and email. As a coach, everyone's system is different. Getting them used to my system will be key in the first semester. There will be different types of training and I will get them accustomed to what I'm used to doing and the type of winningatmosphere that I like to create.”
How will your recent success at Fresno State apply to your work on the OSU Men's Tennis team?
“With Fresno State I took over a program that was not ranked very high. Over time, we built a solid program ranked as high as 14th in the country last year, and we have been in and out of the top 25 the last three years. We maintained a good level while I was there, and my goal at OSU is to get to a high level and remain consistently competitive. We had a lot of foreign exposure, but we had a lot of Americans in there as well. My goal is to try and get a good combination with the idea of winning. We definitely want to perform well. I think it's a process, but with the level of the school, the resources and the new facility being built, I believe the goals will come a bit easier. I'm excited about developing the program year by year.”
