Summary
The Wheelchair Tennis Head Coach will provide leadership and oversight for the wheelchair tennis program. Develop and implement strategy, structure, and initiatives related to the wheelchair tennis program.
Analyze, compare, review and evaluate program activities and outcomes. This role will lead all coaching and athlete development for the wheelchair tennis program.
Represent the program with internal and external partners and stakeholders including serving on assigned committees to represent the department.
This role will manage the budget allocated towards the wheelchair tennis program. The position will be responsible for staff, student, and student-athlete development within the wheelchair tennis program.
This individual will provide a strategic approach for the wheelchair tennis program and its operations. This position will provide direct supervision of the wheelchair tennis program by creating and managing the budget, policies, procedures, and operations.
This is a 9-month seasonal position, from mid-August through mid-May each year.
Responsibilities*
Leadership and Program Oversight (40%) :
- Work with the Associate Director and Assistant Director to create, implement, and assess the strategic plan for UM Adaptive Sports & Fitness, specifically focusing on wheelchair tennis.
- Develop, deliver, and provide learning opportunities for students and the University community.
- Support the Assistant Director to identify, establish, and steward donor, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities that support the growth of wheelchair tennis.
- Manage relationships with existing partners internally and externally to support the growth of wheelchair tennis (Existing ASF stakeholders include, but are not limited to - Department of Family
- Medicine, University Health and Counseling, School of Kinesiology, Procurement Services, Recreational Sports, Athletics, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, The Disability
- Network Washtenaw-Monroe-Livingston County, Underground Printing, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, Intercollegiate Tennis Association, United States Tennis Association, Therapeutic Riding, INC.).
- Manage the procurement of equipment, apparel, goods, and services for the wheelchair tennis program.
- Work with athletics to support program activities; including managing facility rental agreements for wheelchair tennis.
- Coordinate competitions for wheelchair tennis by establishing relationships with other collegiate adaptive sports programs, adaptive sports organizations, and sports governing bodies locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Coordinate and manage wheelchair tennis competitions for away and home competitions; including but not limited to transportation, accommodations, meals, officials, registrations, event sanctioning, and volunteer recruitment.
- Identify opportunities for external funding through grants or sponsored projects that align with the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program scope and support the Associate Director and Assistant
- Director in the application process.
- Ensure that risk management issues related to accommodations for fitness, recreation, and sports are addressed, including participation waivers;
provide a safe, secure, and accessible environment for all scheduled activities and events.
- Ensure that all appropriate certifications and required safety training are based on industry standards and best practices.
- Provide leadership for the continued development of the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program.
- Lead student-athlete recruitment initiatives for wheelchair tennis including informational meetings with high school and prospective students, informational sessions with community-based adaptive sports programs, and on-site visits to local adaptive sports events and competitions.
- Serve on committees or work teams internal and external to the University of Michigan to support diversity, equity, and inclusion and the growth and development of the wheelchair tennis program.
- Participate in and lead workshops, seminars, clinics, panels, and other speaking engagements that support an increase in awareness and knowledge of adaptive sports and inclusive recreation, trends in the collegiate adaptive sports landscape, and Adaptive Sports & Fitness projects and initiatives.
- Collaborate with University colleagues to represent the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program.
- Support the Assistant Director and Associate Director in the competition and technical planning for ASF's annual wheelchair tennis tournament, the Wolverine Open.
Coaching (45%) :
- Attend and coach all wheelchair tennis practices (varsity and recreational) and competitions.
- Assess individual athlete strengths, weaknesses, and developmental needs to create individualized and team training goals, programs, and lessons.
- Identify practice plans and training programs that meet the learning methods and development needs of the athletes.
- Schedule and meet with each student-athlete regularly to review progress and evaluate their individual development.
- Film practices and competitions to do video analysis and coaching with athletes.
- Meet regularly with the ASF Strength & Conditioning Coach, Head Athletic Trainer for Adaptive and Club Sports, and UHS Physical Therapist to ensure integration of athlete training and health;
review individual athletes and overall training program, make adjustments to the training program.
Follow best practices as established by the United States Tennis Association and other coaching and education leaders in the adaptive sports landscape.
Fiscal Oversight (10%) :
Manage the operating budgets of areas of oversight; ensure compliance of operations with Department, Division, and University policies.
Purchase and maintain inventory of all equipment and gear as needed.
Maintain inventory of all equipment and gear including supply orders.
Staff Oversight (5%) :
- Provide supervision, direction, coaching, and mentoring of staff, temp staff, interns, and volunteers who fall within the purview of wheelchair tennis
- Other Expectations : Evening and weekend work responsibilities, as needed; be on-call to provide leadership during times programs and facilities are operating;
attend professional development opportunities, as assigned; other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications*
- A Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Kinesiology, Sports Management, Professional Tennis Management, or a related field.
- At least 2 years experience in coaching tennis or wheelchair tennis.
- Current certifications in CPR, First Aid, and AED or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
- Ability to attain required certifications by the USTA and / or ITF to serve as a wheelchair tennis coach within six months of hire.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile / remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the