Coach Stillman
 On April 10th, 2008, I was able to interview Coach  Stillman from
  the Harlingen South Tennis Team.  The first thing I notice about
 Coach Stillman is his hair cut.  He looks like a Marine Corp D.I.
 That stands for Drill Instructor for all you non-military types.  After speaking
 to a couple of his students, he seems to command the kind of respect that a
 Marine has for his instructor.  The kind that you would follow into battle,
 trusting that the training he gave you would be more than enough to get
 the job done.  The kids were hitting when we wanted to take a group picture.
 He yelled: "Stop the ball!"  I thought the kids would take a long time before
 they paid attention to him...they didn't.  Such is the respect they have for this
 man. 

RGVT: Ok, Coach Stillman.  I talked to your students, and they think the world
of you...as I expected them to.  Now, you've got three students going to regionals,
is that correct?
CS:  Yes, that's right.

RGVT: Coach, how do you go about motivating these kids to do their best?
CS:  Well, it's not that tough with these guys. They're a good group here.  They're
all pretty good kids...they're really great students. So, of course, I think I got the
pick of the litter as far as that goes (laughs).  You know, it gets to be a long year, and
there are times when they are feeling down...for Christmas break and stuff like that. 
You know, they start so early in the year in August and it seems like they run one
year right into the other.  But, these kids are used to playing U.S.T.A. (United
States Tennis Association) tennis year round, so it's not too tough to motivate 'em
every day.  Sometimes it's tough for them to get up early for practice; but, for the
most part, they do a really great job. 

RGVT: Coach Stillman,  I've been talking to some of the other high school coaches;
and they've been complaining about their programs.  And, not being able to get kids
early enough compared to some of the other sports in their schools.  What's your
secret?  You've got a ton of kids out here and they're all...they have great technique.
So, once again, what's your secret?
CS:  Well,  for sure having the Harlingen HEB Tennis Center...I think that's what's
made Harlingen as successful as they've been in the past.  We've always seemed to
have pretty good coaches.  You know, guys that either graduate from one of the
programs and they come back to coach here.  It's always good to have a solid
tennis background.  But, to me, and I try to push this on my kids, to me the lifeline for
us is out at Pendleton (park).  What we do here at the school is great, but it's not
enough.  These kids gotta get out to Pendleton and play more; and, of course, hit the
tournaments.  It's a bit of a burden on the parents, you know, because it costs a lot
of money and stuff.  But, to be successful, I think that's what it takes.  Definitely,
Pendleton is all of our lifelines.  And, I think that's the reason for a big part of our
success.  A lot of the other teams in the surrounding valley, they don't get their
kids this early, so we have an upper hand there.  We have a really solid early
program here in Harlingen. 

RGVT: What about your facilities here.  I notice you don't have any lights out here.  Is that
something you would like to see change?
CS:  Yeah.  It's good change coming.  It's already in the works, and it's been approved.  I've
been given a timeline.  On June 1st, they're gonna tear it down.  They are going to tear it down
completely and are redoing our courts and we're getting lights put up.  From ground up it will
be all new.  Which is great, because the rest of the district that we're involved with, they all
have facilities that have lights.  It's been quite a few years since they've put any money into
our courts and into our program as far as facilities go.  So, long overdue but we're glad it's
finally here.

RGVT: Yeah, definitely.  Ok.  What advice would you have for a kid who's just starting out
in tennis and wants to come out here and be a part of your team?
CS: Hit the courts (we both laugh in agreement).  Hit the courts!  As a matter of fact, that's
where I'm headed right now.  I'm headed to the Junior High School to talk to those kids
and try to get them to go out to the park this summer to a great tennis program out there. 
To stay on top of their grades obviously.  To manage their time well with their studies and
family and get out to the courts as much as you can.  (Speaks to me) You play tennis yourself,
so you know, it's a numbers game.  The more you hit, the better you're gonna get. 

RGVT: Fantastic, Coach!  And, yeah, I agree whole-heartedly.  Now, is there anything you
would like to say to everyone that will be reading your interview?
CS:  Thanks so much for coming out and covering our sport and our school.  I know the kids will
appreciate it.  They don't get enough coverage for all the time they put in. Go Hawks!

RGVT:(We both laugh and cheer "Go Hawks!" at the same time)

     Coach  Stillman allows me to take a group picture of his students, which is on the Harlingen South
page; and invites me to come back whenever I would like.  After our conversation,   I wonder what my
own tennis career would have been like if would have had such a tennis coach in High School.  All
my school had was the basketball coach teaching class out of a library book.  Coach Stillman is an
inspiration for all of us and sets the standard to what all tennis coaches should aspire to be.  We wish
him the absolute best and expect continued success.  We hope to visit back with him some time soon.
 

Contact Information:
Harlingen Tennis Center: (956) 428 - 2092
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