For Tennis Parents by a Tennis Parent

LRT Sports, one of our Partners, hosted a panel of Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCU) Coaches to help educate prospective student-athletes. This inclusive Q&A representing both Men and Women’s athletic programs aims to shine a light on the countless opportunities provided both academically and athletically at HBCU institutions.

While the discussion covered a variety of sports – NOT including tennis – there are several high-level HBCU Men’s and Women’s Tennis programs in the US with an HBCU National Championship taking place each Spring (2020 was canceled due to COVID-19). Click here for more information on the Championships and the participating teams and athletic conferences. 

If you’d like to watch a replay of the discussion, click the video below:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p06JnQG8Jc[/embedyt]

Coaches panel:

• Southern University and A&M College Head Baseball Coach Kerrick Jackson
• North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Hal Clifton
• North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Director of Track and Field Programs Coach Duane Ross
• Hampton University Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Kenia Cole
• Bethune-Cookman University Head Basketball Coach Ryan Ridder
• Virginia State University Head Football Coach Reggie Barlow

Grab your notebook and pen or tablet as you prepare for an opportunity to hear directly from collegiate coaches about your next steps for success. Learn exactly what they are looking for in potential student-athletes both on and off the field as they aid in the resurgence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and look to find their next ELITE prospects. 

Kerrick Jackson Head Baseball Coach for Southern University

• Ended 2019 season as SWAC Western Division Champions 
• Conference Tournament Champions
• SWAC coach of the year
• Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year
• 2018, Asked by American Baseball Coaches Association to serve as chair for Diversity committee 
• Minority recruiting and sustainability for players and coaches of color in baseball
• Previous: MLB Certified Player Agent — scouting talent

Kenia Cole, Hampton University, W Basketball (Assistant)

• 30 under 30 coaches nominee
• Former Lady Pirate standout
• Coaches for longest-tenured coach in program history
• Coach with most wins of any coach in program history
• Championships – NCAA appearances 

Duane Ross, North Carolina A&T, Director of Track & Field

• Responsible for 6 teams at N.C. A&T
• Ross has won seven Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles
• Under Ross = thirty competitors won MEAC indoor titles
• Thirty-six competitors won MEAC outdoor titles
• Won men’s and women’s MEAC indoor titles, this followed winning both of the titles in 2017

Hal Clifton, North Carolina A&T, W Volleyball 

• Ninth head volleyball coach in the schools history, started in 2011
• One of the top academic programs at A&T
• Guiding his teams to four straight MEAC tournaments
• 2013 secured its first non-conference win since the 2010 season

Reggie Barlow, Virginia State University, Football

• In 2017 led his team to an undefeated regular season (10-0 record)
• 2017 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship Title
• Claimed the North Division title 
• Central intercollegiate athletic association championship
• Coach Barlow’s motto is “Leave no doubt”
• Eight years in the NFL – Jacksonville, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SB w Bucs)

Ryan Ridder, Bethune-Cookman University, M Basketball

• 2017-2018 2nd ever MEAC regular-season title
• 2017-18 guided team and finished with new school D1 records in scoring, free throws, rebounds, attempts, rebounding averages, and assists
• In 2018-2019 helped to lead the team to 18-14 overall
• Recipient of the Joe B. Hall Award

For more helpful information on NCAA rules and college tennis programs, including Player Ratings of the college coaches themselves, be sure to visit LRT Sports (click here).