April 24, 2009

By Maxie McCoy, Lehigh 2010

The qualities that make Allie Schwartz, a senior majoring in political science and enrolled in the masters of education program, both a strong tennis player and leader will suit her well as she moves from the courts of Lehigh to the classroom. A natural motivator and encourager, Schwartz is comfortable walking from court to court and offering advice. She understands these responsibilities as captain will serve her well down the road as a teacher and a tennis coach.

As a junior, Schwartz achieved a 7-13 record at first singles and was named to the All-Patriot League second team. During her sophomore year, Schwartz won five matches at first doubles and four #3 singles wins. The first year Schwartz played for the Brown and White she registered four Patriot League singles wins and was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

Head Coach Dave Shook attributes much of her success to an intense work ethic. "She has always been a grinder," he said of Schwartz. "She works a lot harder than most. She never gives up and is always fighting to the very end."

Being the captain of the Lehigh tennis team has required Schwartz to not only lead her team with skillful play on the court but with verbal motivation as well. "I just have that desire to see my teammates improve and do well. There is nothing like watching one of them come out with a huge win," she says. Tennis, Schwartz explains, is a team sport but at the same time it is largely individual. It requires mental support and coaching to succeed. She sees teaching in the same light.

"Teaching is about building confidence and working with others, keeping them motivated" Schwartz explained. "We have to do all these things for each other on the court and that's what I'll have to be doing in the classroom."

Coach Shook has no doubt that she will be perfect in an educational setting.

"Schwartz is a patient young lady and she has a vision. She has the ability to recognize who needs help. She sees people's needs," he said.

Although Schwartz is still a player, she is not naive to the great effort and motivation it requires to be a successful educator and coach. Schwartz has spent many summers teaching tennis, directly spurred from her love for working with kids. Last summer Schwartz spent her time coaching a tennis program and combined outreach effort at Yale University. The program used part of its enrollment capacity to offer inner-city New Haven children to participate for free.

"I really enjoyed working with all of those kids," Schwartz said. "Seeing their improvements at the end of the program was really rewarding."

Schwartz remembers an experience with one young girl which solidified her desire to educate both on a off the court.

"There was one young girl, Crystal, who was in the third grade and really couldn't hit or serve or do anything. But she came everyday dressed out in her visor and totally ready to play."

Schwartz went on to explain how young Crystal was so into tennis that nothing could hide her smiling face. When the girl's mother came to the court on the last day, she was brought to tears watching her daughter compete.

"She came up and thanked me for everything I did for her daughter," Schwartz recalled. "How playing on my courts everyday and learning to play tennis had been the highlight of her daughter's summer." Schwartz attributes her love for teaching and coaching to little experiences like those with Crystal. "It reinforces why I'm doing this," she said.

Schwartz will go on to teach with many lessons already under her belt. She says her enrollment in the athletics leadership program for captains, Leadership Legacies, has helped her understand how to better inspire others to achieve the same goal and keep a positive and guiding spirit.

"I'm learning how to take charge in certain situations and focus on the team's common goal, which is what I'll have to be doing in the classroom," she said.

That common goal is to make it to the Patriot League Championship match. That quest begins on Friday when the No. 3 seed Mountain Hawks face arch rival and No. 6 seed Lafayette in the opening round of the Patriot League Tournament. The match gets underway at 2 p.m. from Bucknell's Varsity Tennis Courts, with the winner moving on to meet the host and No. 2 seed Bison in the semifinals on Saturday.