I graduated at 21, so I was probably 23 when I started to be his assistant, then it was four years as his assistant. … So that was uncomfortable because I’m with my peers and having all these interviews and they’re asking about him. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the recognized leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the U.S. You have entered an incorrect email address! Director of Operations. Heaven gained an angel, and Bill will be deeply missed by the Phebus family, the entire Bruin tennis family, and all who were incredibly blessed to know him." It is an ethos that is embodied in the coaching of John Wooden. A membership exists for this person under another login account. That was just how I was brought up. Stella Sampras Webster: I was on the tour and my coach and the head coach at UCLA [Bill Zaima] were having lunch with me, and he literally just asked me. Following a short time away from the courts, Zaima returned once again in 2000 to serve as Sampras Webster's volunteer assistant coach. Or call USTA Customer Support for assistance: 1-800-990-8782. I was taking classes to get my teaching credential while I was an assistant coach. It was there when the nation was questioning women’s sports and Ann Meyers answered with the first full athletic scholarship awarded to a female. UCLA women’s head coach Stella Sampras Webster recently finished her 24th year at the helm of the Bruins tennis program. Godwin and Zaima also led the Bruins to a banner year in 1982, as the NCAA doubles final was an all-UCLA affair, with Heather Ludloff and Lynn Lewis beating teammates Kathy O'Brien and Helena Manset. I learned a lot my first few years. I just felt like the competitive part of me enjoyed helping players reach their goals and win their matches and help them through this college journey. He left his head coaching role following the 1976 season to head up UCLA's Sunset Canyon Recreation Center, where he served as director from 1977-86. I earned a spot to play at UCLA, and I didn’t get it because I was his sister. Two familiar opponents met No. I spoke with my family about it, and I always wanted to be a teacher. 1 singles on the 1981 AIAW championship team. WhatsApp. 142. She’s a very smart woman, and I love having her come to campus and talk with her about working with these elite players. I graduated at 21, so I was probably 23 when I started to be his assistant, then it was four years as his assistant. Stella Sampras Webster: When the head coach decided to retire, I was 27 years old and the new head coach of UCLA women’s tennis. Then by Thursday and Friday, we’re doing a lot of points play and live-ball points to get ready for the matches on the weekend. All Rights Reserved. The best part of my job is being on the court with the players. My biggest thing is always wanting it to be a great environment for my players, to look forward to coming to practice. Sampras Webster completed her UCLA career ranked No. … Bill's passing is a great loss for all of us, and we will miss him immensely." The Associate Head Coach of the University of California - Los Angeles - UCLA Women's Tennis program is Rance Brown. Stella Sampras Webster: The fundraising that we have to do, the administrative work we have to do, the paperwork and expense reports, they are not my favorite parts of the job. Then, on Oct. 5, 2018, she became just the fourth active head coach to gain entry into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. USTA.com: Looking at the coaching career you’ve had, can you pinpoint a couple of highlights? But some of the best highlights I would say were whenever I had my family with me. It’s really important. That was such a big thing for him, so I was so happy we were able to get that team championship. As we celebrate Women's History Month, USTA.com spotlights some of the female coaches who are making history of their own as the latest generation of sporting trendsetters, serving to inspire more females to enter the coaching corps at the NCAA level and beyond. I talked to my brother Pete about coaching sometimes and asking for advice or things that he would do to prepare for a big tournament or a big event, and he was a great resource for me to bounce things off. I know it’s not easy, especially having a family and having a full-time job, but I always tell them it’s manageable. I remember when I started out I was clueless, and I just really hope that when they become head coaches they are prepared. UCLA women’s head coach Stella Sampras Webster recently finished her 24th year at the helm of the Bruins tennis program. I figured I wasn’t going to be Top 100 in the world in singles, but I could probably do pretty well in doubles. As we celebrate Women's History Month, USTA.com spotlights some of the female coaches who are making history of their own as the latest generation of sporting trendsetters, serving to inspire more females to enter the coaching corps at the NCAA level and beyond. "He always made me feel like a champion (even on my worst days) and he always told me if I could imagine winning an NCAA championship, then I could achieve it. But I felt like the tour wasn’t a great lifestyle that I enjoyed. Daniela Bercek and Lauren Fisher captured the initial title, overcoming an unseeded starting position in 2004. In 1991 he was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year and was a finalist for ITCA National Coach of the Year honors. USTA.com: Tennis seems to be at the forefront of having women as coaches at both the pro and college level. Then Bill Zaima became a volunteer after a few years, so I was very fortunate to have some great coaches working with me. Get top research & news headlines four days a week. But some of the best highlights I would say were whenever I had my family with me. And if Bill Walton had considered the odds of having an undefeated season, he probably wouldn’t have had one. March 16, 2020. But the one thing he had never done as a coach was win the team indoors. Zaima retired from head coaching at the end of the 1996 season, paving the way for his protégé, Sampras Webster, to take over the program. The 2020 Bruins, who had their season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, held a record of 12-1 for the best start in program history since the 2014 NCAA champions. I was taking classes to get my teaching credential while I was an assistant coach. Volunteer Assistant Coach. A top-three player in Southern California and among the top 10 in the country as a junior, Sampras Webster claimed the CIF doubles title as a freshman and the singles title as a senior in 1987. Please purchase or remove the membership in your cart. After a year playing professionally, Sampras Webster returned to UCLA, where she served as long-time head coach Bill Zaima’s assistant while pursuing her teaching credentials. During that time she won the 1988 NCAA doubles title, finished runner-up in 1991 and was a named an All-American on four occasions. In all, Sampras Webster’s teams have finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships in 20 of her 23 completed seasons in Westwood. You have to be very prepared because they’re not going to do it just because you think it’s the greatest drill in the world. Stella Sampras Webster: She was there before I started, but I know her quite well. degree in recreational administration from Cal State Los Angeles. Giancarlo Cava. It’s really important. I owe so much to him for where I am today. That was very special. Hovie has coached Lindsay Davenport and former pros, and I feel myself coaching very similar to his style. Sampras Webster and the Bruins captured the 2014 NCAA title in Athens, Georgia with a thrilling 4-3 victory over North Carolina in the final. The two coaches had tremendous success together, helping the team to its first national championship in 1981 in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), followed by an NCAA runner-up finish in 1982. Please go back and login with that account to proceed. Stella Sampras Webster: Bill Zaima had done it all. Lauded for her “achievements and contributions to the game of tennis across Southern California,” Sampras Webster was inducted into the Southern California Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2017. Pete won a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles during his playing days, including seven Wimbledon championships. USTA.com spoke with the 2012 ITA National Coach of the Year about returning to a place where she had so much success as a student-athlete, the importance of women in head coaching positions and crafting her own legacy in a famous tennis family. It was a very comfortable transition, and I knew what to expect. Stella Sampras Webster. The best part of my job is being on the court with the players. I was also coached by Robert Lansdorp, who was obviously a great coach, and I learned so much from him when I was in the juniors. I learned a lot my first few years. USTA.com spoke with the 2012 ITA National Coach of the Year about returning to a place where she had so much success as a student-athlete, the importance of women in head coaching positions and crafting her own legacy in a famous tennis family. I learned so much from him and being his assistant, and he was giving me a lot of responsibilities as an assistant. People wanted to talk to me, but I knew it was only because I was his sister. He enjoyed even more success during his second time at the helm, helping UCLA to a pair of NCAA runner-up finishes in 1989 and 1991. Parts of the grind of being a head coach for 24 years that people don’t necessarily realize? Under her tutelage, a total of 32 players have achieved All-America status. As a professional, Sampras Webster’s highest international singles ranking was No.