Aug. 20, 2010
NORFOLK, VA--Old Dominion University athletic director, Dr. Wood Selig announced today that head men's and women's tennis coach Darryl Cummings, will be stepping down at the completion of the 2010-11 season to focus on developing Cape Henry Racquet Club in Virginia Beach, where he is the majority owner.
The 2001 Women's East Region Coach of the Year, and six-time CAA Coach of the Year compiled 536-331 career record in 19 years. Ten of his former student athletes were named to the CAA's 25th Anniversary teams, and his women's tennis programs were honored for their academic success by the ITA in 1999,2001,2002 and 2003.
"Darryl has enjoyed a magnificent career at ODU, both as a student athlete and as our head men's and women's tennis coach. ODU tennis has thrived nationally under coach Cummings leadership," said Selig. "We will be hard pressed to find someone to match Darryl's talents and energy level. We will conduct a national search this spring of 2011 to locate our next head coach. All of us at ODU wish Darryl great success in his private business venture."
Cummings began coaching the Old Dominion University women's program in January of 1992 and become the head coach of the men's tennis program in the fall of 1994. He has recruited USTA events, ITA regional events, Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, and various other tennis activities to Old Dominion University. Additionally he was the ITA men's regional chair along with serving on various ITA and NCAA committees. Cummings played a significant leadership role in the design and fundraising of the Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center that opened in the fall of 2007 and is considered one of the nicest indoor tennis centers in the country.
He was also involved in a variety of fundraising activities including Anthem Live! The Cystic Fibrosis foundation, the Achievable Dream, and various other reach out activities.
As a student athlete at ODU, Cummings was the 1986 Sun Belt Conference doubles flight champion and 1985 Virginia State singles flight champion. He helped lead the Monarchs 1986 squad set an ODU school mark of 20-3.
The Cape Henry Racquet club has a growing membership, offers a variety of programs, and will be developing a partnership with the IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. In addition, Cummings will be involved in collegiate tennis consulting in a variety of aspects.
Plans are underway to create an endowed tennis scholarship in the name of Darryl Cummings for future ODU tennis players. Anyone Interested in supporting this initiative is encouraged to contact the Big Blue Club at 683-6963.
Darryl Cummings QUOTES "Being a Norfolk native and ODU graduate, it has been a privilege to coach at Old Dominion University the past 19 years and I look forward to my continued support of the university and tennis program. I am very thankful to Dr. Jim Jarrett's and Dr. Mikki Baile for providing me with this opportunity.
It has been very rewarding to work with our tennis coaching staff of Dom Manilla, John Brinkman, and Nataly Fleishman over the last three years. Their passion and expertise has brought great value to our program. I would also like to thank, Doris Bailey, for her secretarial support she has provide our program for the last 15 plus years.
I am very much appreciative of the support Roy Beskin, Chris Carpenter, Jeff Breit, Wayne Wilbanks, Dave Howell, Fran & Lenox Baker, Sol Cohen, Joe Mersel, Billy Brock, Rich & Susan Desilets, and the tennis patrons of Hampton Roads has provided to our tennis program over the years.
It was also an honor for my good friends, Grey Folkes and Ricky Stevens, to make our indoor tennis center one of the best in the country by providing us with the naming rights. In addition, Sugie Jarrett serving as our tournament for the ODU scholarship tennis tournament for 36 years at the Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club has been overwhelming.
No single person has been more supportive than my partner, Julie Cummings, over the last 16 years. Her experience of having been an All-American and the senior managing editor for tennis week magazine was a valuable resource for our program. On hundreds of occasions she has prepared meals and entertained our tennis team and supporters. Our family celebrating thanksgiving with the players and former players over the years has been a wonderful tradition due to her efforts. She has been an older sister and mother like figure for many of our players from all over the world. Julie was able to do all of this in addition to her successful career while being a great mother for Clark and Connor." -Darryl Cummings
Cummings' accomplishments with the Old Dominion University Tennis Program Include:Overall Dual Match Record: 536-331 (Men 270-146, Women 266-185) as of August, 2010
CAA Coach of the Year Awards: 6 total (3 men, 3 women)ITA Regional Coach of the Year Awards: 1CAA Player of the Year Awards: 12 total (6 men, 6 women)CAA Rookie of the Year Awards: 4 (2 men, 2 women)All-American Awards: 6Academic All-Americans Awards: 40 plus
National Individual Champions: 1National Individual Finalist: 5National Individual Final Four: 7
NCAA Team Qualifier Entries: 2 (1 men, 1 women)NCAA Singles Qualifier Entries: 12 (6 men, 6 women)NCAA Doubles Qualifier Entries: 8 (5 men, 3 women)
Highest National Ranked Men's Team Ranking: #18Highest National Ranked Women's Team Ranking: #32Highest National Ranked Male Singles Player: #4Highest National Ranked Female Singles Player: #1Highest ATP World Ranking of a former player: #159Highest WTA World Ranking of a former player: #75
Here is what people are saying about Darryl Cummings: "Darryl Cummings produced impressive, almost miraculous results in his 19 years as the head coach of Old Dominion University's tennis teams. His teams were nationally ranked; his players competed for national championships. The quality of Old Dominion's tennis facilities skyrocketed under his leadership. Most impressive, he achieved all of this while more than 40 of his players achieved Academic All-American status. He epitomizes what a coach should be---someone who is concerned with all aspects of his players' improvement and development, on and off the court." - James V. Koch - Board of Visitors Professor of Economics and President Emeritus
"Coach Cummings has had a massive impact on the lives of others through the game of tennis. His competitive drive to win and maximize the talent and opportunity around him define him best. He made ODU a national tennis power and his players went on to play in the Slams. A true innovator and leader, the game of tennis is better because of Coach Cummings" - Luke Jensen - 93 French Open Champ "I have observed Darryl Cummings for over a quarter century, both as a player and later as a coach. Not only did he become a world class player himself (world ranking in men's doubles), but he then transferred his passion for the game into coaching and is now recognized as one of the leading tennis coaches in the nation, mentoring players who have competed in events at our sport including all four Grand Slams, Davis Cup, Fed Cup. Darryl's tennis IQ is second to none and his ability to help a player get the most out of his/her potential is what really makes him special." - Roy S. Beskin - 4 Time National Amateur Mixed Doubles Champion; Va. Tech Sports Hall of Fame Inductee; ODU tennis donor
"Playing on the ODU Men's tennis team from 2002 to 2005 I developed as a person and as a tennis player. With Darryl Cummings as the Head Coach I achieved All American honors three times, twice for singles and once for doubles. I also reached the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament in singles and doubles. Darryl played a significant role developing my game and preparing me for the professional tennis tour. Since turning pro, Darryl has helped me in all aspects of becoming a better player and in reaching the top 200 on the ATP in singles and doubles. I owe a great deal to Darryl for all his input and expert coaching over the years." - Izak van der Merwe - Former Monarch; Top 200 ATP Player, South African Davis Cup Team