The Calm in the College Tennis Storm ft Todd Wojtkowski

The Calm in the College Tennis Storm ft Todd Wojtkowski

Author: Lisa Stone May 22, 2025 Duration: 40:25

Welcome to Season 14 Episode 18 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this episode, Case Western Reserve University Head Men's Tennis Coach, Todd Wojtkowski, offers a little calm after the perfect storm of our last episode. This podcast was filmed live from Claremont Mudd-Scripps in Claremont, CA, host to the 2025 NCAA DIII Men's & Women's Tennis Championships.

Todd Wojtkowski has built the Case Western Reserve University men's tennis team into one of the top programs in all of Division III during his 16 seasons at the team's helm, which includes guiding the squad to the NCAA Division III Championship in 2023, the first-ever team title won by a CWRU team in any sport. The National Championship came on the heels of back-to-back finishes at the NCAA Championship each of the previous two years, including in 2021 when he was named the Wilson/ ITA National Coach of the Year. Wojtkowski went on to lead the Spartans back to the NCAA quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season in 2024. Now they find themselves back in the Elite 8 as they compete for the 2025 title.

I first met Todd about 10 years ago. We had been corresponding electronically since the beginning of ParentingAces, so it was a real treat to run into him at Indian Wells and put a face to a name. We've stayed in contact over the years, but, recently, Todd's name has come up in multiple conversations I've had with industry leaders, other college coaches, and even Tennis Parents, so I was thrilled to learn he'd be with his team only an hour from my home and was willing to sit down and talk tennis with me.

Todd's approach to the sport is so balanced and so heartfelt and 100% aligned with what we are trying to accomplish with ParentingAces. I hope you enjoy hearing his thoughts on the DIII experience, what he looks for in a recruit, and the future of not only college tennis but tennis in its entirety.

Coach Wojtkowski has generously offered to take part in a follow-up Q&A with the ParentingAces community to answer any questions or concerns that may pop up as you listen to our conversation. Please email your questions to me at lisa@parentingaces.com so we can compile them into a future discussion.

And please join me in wishing the Spartans - and all the teams competing - all the best this week!

As always, I am available for one-to-one consults to work with you as you find your way through the college recruiting process. You can purchase and book online through our website at ⁠https://parentingaces.com/shop/category/consult-with-lisa-stone/⁠.

If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.

CREDITS

Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE

Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone


For anyone navigating the complex journey of youth tennis, ParentingAces-The Junior Tennis and College Tennis Podcast serves as an essential weekly conversation. Host Lisa Stone guides these discussions, moving beyond just forehands and backhands to explore the entire pathway a young athlete travels. The focus here is on development, from a child's first swings all the way through the high-stakes juniors circuit and into the nuanced world of college recruiting. Each episode brings a different voice to the table. You'll hear from seasoned coaches, sports psychologists discussing mental resilience, and specialists in fitness and nutrition tailored for athletic growth. Practical topics like navigating technology and equipment or understanding the ever-changing recruiting landscape are broken down with clarity. This isn't just theory; it's actionable insight drawn directly from experts in the field. Whether you're a parent trying to support your child, a player aiming for the next level, or a coach shaping future talent, this podcast offers a trusted resource for the questions that aren't always answered on the court. Lisa's approach creates a space where the challenges and triumphs of building a tennis player are met with experience and genuine understanding.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

ParentingAces - The Junior Tennis and College Tennis Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Taking a Closer Look at the State of Junior Tennis ft Joel Drucker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:46
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 21 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this episode, one of the world's leading tennis writers, Joel Drucker, joins me to discuss what's new in the world of junior tennis coaching, instruction,…
For the Parents: Working on Your Mental Game ft Brian Lomax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:06
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 20 of the ParentingAces Podcast. This week, sport psychology professional, Brian Lomax, digs into the work Tennis Parents can do for themselves that will benefit their junior player on and of…
The International Player Dilemma ft Mikkel Bjerk-Andresen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:28
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 19 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, we dive into the player data of Division I college tennis with a former DI golf (yes, golf!) coach from Norway, Mikkel Bjerk-Andresen.A few weeks a…
The Latest on College Recruiting ft Madison Harrison & Natalie Suk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:59
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 18 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this episode, Lisa is joined by former top junior and college players, Madison Harrison and Natalie Suk.Both of these young women were raised in very succe…
The Inner Way of Tennis ft Randall Scott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:16
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 17 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Lisa is joined by Randall Scott, author of THE INNER WAY OF TENNIS.Randy has had an interesting journey through junior and college tennis that led…
Protect Your Child with BUNKR ft Hannah Keeling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:13
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 16 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, former college coach, Hannah Keeling, is back to share with us her new position with BUNKR.BUNKR is an online platform providing security for a pla…
What is the Role of the College Coach ft Rod Ray [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:08
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 15 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Coach Rod Ray is back to talk about his role as "coach" to Wofford tennis players and what he looks for in recruits.Rod has been coaching for 26 ye…
Find a Court Anytime, Anywhere with CourtsApp ft Daren Hornig [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:58
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 14 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, we learn about a new app to help tennis families find a court any time, whether at home or while traveling to a tournament.CourtsApp, the first AI-…
Our Family's Tennis Journey ft Greg Gilbert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 13 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Tennis Parent Greg Gilbert shares his family's tennis journey from the early days through the college recruiting process.The Junior Tennis Journey…