What is the Role of the College Coach ft Rod Ray

What is the Role of the College Coach ft Rod Ray

Author: Lisa Stone April 15, 2026 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 years, and he's seen so many changes to tennis development and the college recruiting process. Underneath it all, however, wanting "good people" on his team has never changed. Rod explains what that means to him - hint: it goes well beyond wins and losses!

From the parents' perspective, Rod discusses what parents should be looking for in a coach for their child(ren). That again goes beyond wins and losses and really centers around character. Rod's own sons pursued sport at a high level, so he has learned along the way the importance of finding that good coach and being that good coach for so many other athletes.

To get in touch with Coach Rod, you can reach him via his website at https://hardcomesfirst.com/ or by phone at 864-809-8827. His email is RayRA@Wofford.Edu. Rod is also on Instagram at https://instagram.com/rodray_.

As always, I am available for one-to-one consults to work with you as you find your way through junior tennis and 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: 50

ParentingAces - The Junior Tennis and College Tennis Podcast
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