|
 Mamaroneck, NY - The NY Sportimes announce Dustin Taylor as head coach for the 2008 season; he replaces Chuck Adams who coached the Sportimes in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Coach Taylor was a top nationally ranked Division I college player at the University of Tulsa, where he was an NCAA quarterfinalist and All-American, while earning his BA in Business Marketing. He is now one of the youngest coaches on the ATP tour, where he coaches a group of talented American players, including former and current Sportimes’ players Jesse Witten, Brian Wilson and Robert Kendrick, as well as Brendan Evans. All have improved their rankings as part of Dustin’s team. The 2008 season will be Coach Taylor’s first year coaching in the World TeamTennis Professional League.
“Chuck Adams made a great contribution to our franchise and we will miss him. He brought a lot of energy, humor and style to our matches. Part of my decision to hire Dustin was that, like Chuck, he is still a very gifted player, he is an active coach on the pro tour, and he is a fired-up and energetic young coach/athlete. My players wanted him, the fans will love him, and he should be able to get the most out of our team,” commented Sportimes managing partner and team owner, Claude Okin. He continued, “The unique format of WTT permits coaching at all times during the match. Dustin will be an active coach and I know he won’t be shy about using the format when it comes to subbing and challenging calls. He is going to be great!”
“Shortly before the WTT Roster Draft last month,” Okin explained, “Chuck called to tell me that he and Ashley (Harkleroad), whom Chuck coaches full-time on the WTA Tour, would be traveling to Fed Cup and to the Olympics this summer and they just couldn’t also commit to the 2008 WTT season. After the draft I talked to my new team and all roads led to Dustin.”
Taylor, a resident of Bend, Oregon, began discussions with the team immediately after the draft and, he says, “I never doubted that I would sign on if the opportunity presented itself and I am extremely honored to coach the NY Sportimes in WTT.” Taylor continued, “I get to coach two guys that I currently coach on the tour. I also have tremendous respect for the women on the team and look forward to working with them. My background as a college player and team-member makes WTT a great return to my roots and I look forward to helping New York return to the finals.”
 |
