Alton Hudgins, the new women's tennis coach at Abraham Baldwin College, believes the greatest challenge he faces is maintaining the team's winning tradition.
"Keeping the women's tennis program at the same high level it was when coached by Alan Kramer and Margaret Treadway is definitely a challenge I will face as coach," Hudgins said.
The women's tennis program at ABAC has a longstanding record of finishing in the top five in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament. The Golden Fillies finished second in the nation in 1999. With their second place finish, the Fillies finished higher than any two-year college women's tennis team in the history of Georgia. The team has won the state title for eight consecutive years.
It would seem that Hudgins clearly has his work cut out for him, and he welcomes the opportunity.
"My previous experience as women's volleyball coach will help when planning practices, scheduling matches, recruiting players, making travel arrangements, and administering a budget," Hudgins said. "The sports (volleyball and tennis) may be different, but teaching young, student athletes is the most important aspect of both. My goal is to have a team that succeeds in the classroom, on campus, and on the tennis court. Coaching the woman's tennis team will be a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience for me, and I am looking forward to it."
Alan Kramer, ABAC's Director of Athletics and the men's tennis coach, believes Hudgins will be an excellent tennis coach who will continues the winning tradition of the women's tennis program.
"Coach Hudgins has successfully coached the volleyball team here at ABAC," Kramer said. "He is a very good teacher, and very good teachers traditionally make very good coaches. He is readily available on campus as an advisor to his players and is extremely competitive--all within a laid-back framework. In addition, Hudgins has impeccable character. He is dependable, trustworthy, caring, and enthusiastic. These qualities will surely help our student athletes continue ABAC's tradition of academic and athletic excellence."
A member of the ABAC staff for the past eight years, Hudgins previously served as Intramural Director. He also coached volleyball during the four years that ABAC had a team. The Golden Fillies won the state and Region 17 title in 1998, advancing to the NJCAA District Tournament. The team was undefeated in region play that year.
Hudgins replaces Treadway who stepped down from the position after one year. Her team won a state title and finished fifth in the national tournament. Herb Hendrix, an instructor in ABAC's Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, will administer the Intramural Sports programs at ABAC this year.
# # #