UWA’s Fanelli honored

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association and United States Tennis Association have awarded University of West Alabama Head Tennis Coach Glen Fanelli the 2012 USTA/ITA Southern Sectional Campus Quick Start Provider of the Year for the Southern Region. Fanelli was one of five coaches named to the list of recipients of the award.

“I appreciate the USTA and the ITA for recognizing me with the award, but I really owe it to our players who contributed to our efforts to raise awareness for childhood obesity, polio and cystic-fibrosis,” Fanelli said. “It’s a great opportunity to get our players more involved in the community and generate interest in our sport. I am really looking forward to continuing our efforts next year.”

The USTA/ITA National Quick Start Provider of the Year Award recognizes a college coach who has promoted the 10 and Under Tennis format to elementary school children by hosting Quick Start programs on campus.

Fanelli has over 30 years of experience coaching tennis, but this is the first year he has worked with the Quick Start program. Working with USTA program, Fanelli and his UWA tennis teams held classes once a week to teach young kids the sport of tennis, as well as battling childhood obesity. Fanelli also worked along with the Rotary Club to raise awareness about polio and cystic-fibrosis.