Blue & Gold Caravan Heads to Atlanta Monday

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Getting to Know Ken Harpe

Who is Mocs Club member Ken Harpe?

Occupation: I own a business that helps Clients achieve financial security and independence; CLU, ChFC City of Residence: Signal Mountain,TN Alma Mater: UTC,’71; The American College,’87,’92 Letterwinner Sport/Year: Football, Baseball ’65-’68

1. Why did decide to become a member of the Mocs Club?

The Mocs Club is the focal point for harnessing the passion and commitment of old and new Mocs’ fans of all UTC Sports. As a former player, I love Mocs Football, but that emotion carries with it a strong sense of obligation. Whatever success I’ve achieved I owe to two overriding influences: meeting and marrying my wife and partner, Cary Graham, at the University of Chattanooga and the personal interest in me of teachers at UC. I entered the University as a single-focus jock and emerged as a leader and intellectual. The Mocs Club is a vital link in assuring that others have the same opportunities.

2. How long have you been involved with UTC Athletics?

I signed a Football Scholarship with UC in 1965, choosing UC over Florida State and Vandy. At that time, UC was the premier small college program in the South. Having my Football career cut short by an accident was actually one of the best things that could have happened to me, in that academic and leadership doors subsequently opened. We are 40+ year Football season ticket holders. For several years, I was a volunteer fundraiser for Athletics (sold the first advertising banner in the Roundhouse, and lots of season football and basketball tickets). I was honored to serve as President of the UTCA alumni in 1995. Cary and I have given a funded Scholarship through the UCF foundation to the Football Program and English Department.

3. What are some of your interests outside of UTC Athletics?

We have a demanding and rewarding business and an outstanding Moc daughter (M. Ed./English, UTC,’12), who merits our support. Most of our remaining time is spent reading and writing. As some Mocs know, I’m an Author with a small but responsive following for my poetry, fiction, and professional articles.

4. Where is your favorite place to eat out and what do you order?

For a memorable experience, try High Point in Al Capone’s old retreat on Monteagle Mountain (Sewanee). Bacon-wrapped scallops as the culmination of an evening of cordiality are hard to beat.

5. lf you could have dinner with one person who would it be and why?

My “celebrity” would be my High School Football Coach (and retired Executive),Frank Hixon. After a 3O-year hiatus, we recently connected following the death of his wife. My Senior year in High School I lived with Coach Hixon and his family. I roomed with his 6-year old son (now a prominent Wall Street Investment Banker). Following our opening game victory I learned very quickly why I didn’t want to be a High School Coach, when the phone didn’t stop ringing until 2AM, not with calls from journalists, but irate parents. Frank became my surrogate father and helped me in ways I’ll never know or be able to repay. We’ll have that dinner, soon.

6. lf you could spend a week any where in the world where would it be?

When our daughter was 1, we found a new Condo on an isolated stretch of Santa Rosa beach, between Destin and Panama City in late October. Our one week respite turned into 3 weeks of serendipity, as we virtually had the pool and beach to ourselves. Yes, there was a shark … and the result was a poem, “A Shared Memory.” In the mean time, since the scarcest resource for most of us is time, we cherish our home on Signal Mountain overlooking Prentice Cooper State Park. There are moments, when I look at the solid wall of leaves, when the tips have turned silver and the wind just titillates them into a shimmering motion, that I say, “this is my ocean” and that is more than sufficient for us. GO MOCS!

A Sit Down with Men’s Tennis Coach Carlos Garcia

One of the most respected and successful coaches in the Southeast region, Carlos Garcia is in his 12th year at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During his career, Garcia has coached both the men’s and women’s teams at UTC, guided a conference Player of the Year winner, earned regional coaching honors from the ITA, worked with the U.S. Davis Cup Squad and had his team earn ITA Academic Team honors.

Garcia’s collegiate coaching career began in 1994 when he served as a men’s assistant at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee, until 1999. In 1999, Garcia moved on to the University of North Carolina to become the men’s assistant coach. The Tar Heels finished the season ranked 20th in the nation, and Garcia was named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year by the ITA in 1999 and 2000.

Garcia took his coaching talents to a new level when he left North Carolina in 2000 to become the personal coach to Davis Cup standout and former NCAA singles champion Chris Woodruff for two seasons. He also coached Woodruff, a former Tennessee player, to his second ATP singles title at the ATP Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, R.I. Woodruff also had a quarterfinal showing at the 2000 Australian Open under Garcia’s guidance.

Prior to accepting the job at UTC, Garcia was the teaching professional at Cedar Bluff Racquet Club in Knoxville, Tenn. Garcia is a 1987 honors graduate of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in General Business. While a member of the Volunteers’ tennis team, he earned three tennis letters and was a member of the 1986 Southeastern Conference Championship squad.

1. Having worked at UTC for 12 years, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your job?

To have an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of your student athletes is something I take very seriously.  I value my relationships with my players to the highest degree.  To build the trust between one another is a very strong attribute to have within your team.  Also, if you love your work, then he or she will never work a day in his life and I am very fortunate to have a career in something that I truly enjoy.

2. What has been your favorite memory or memories in working with the Men’s Tennis team at UTC?

I was very fortunate to be a part of 2 Southern Conference Tournament finals both in 2005 and 2007.  In 2005 we beat Furman in the quarter-finals which is a win that I will always cherish.  Also, my 2012-13 squad achieved the highest Grade Point Average in program’s history in the Fall semester of 2012. I think that is something you can hang your hat on.

3. If you could play tennis against anyone, who would it be?

If I could play tennis with someone it would have to be the actor/comedian Chevy Chase.  I know I would not be able to stop laughing the entire time.

4. What are some of your interests outside of tennis and UTC Athletics?

In my free time I actually still enjoy competing on the USTA Senior Circuit which are tennis tournaments all over the country in my age division.  Outside of playing some of my own tennis tournaments, I am really obsessed with golf.  The only difference between my tennis and golf is that I am pretty good at one and not so good at the other.

5.Where is your favorite place to eat in Chattanooga and what do you order?

I like going to Taziki’s as often as I can and when I want to really treat myself, I like going to Porter’s Steakhouse.  Even though the two are completely different eating establishments, they do have something in common and that is I like everything on their respective menu.

6. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

My brother and I with a few of our friends were in a band back in the early 90’s.  I played the keyboards.  It did not take too long to realize that I should not quit my day job.

10 Questions with Women’s Tennis Senior, Jenna Nurik

1. Why did you choose UTC?

There were two factors that made UTC the perfect choice for me. UTC has a nationally recognized Office for Students with Disabilities. Since I have dyslexia, I had to be careful in choosing a college where I would get the support and accommodations that I require. When I visited UTC, I had a great feeling about the team and their camaraderie set them apart from other places that I was considering. At other schools, the players all went in separate directions as soon as they walked off the court. At UTC, the girls really seemed to enjoy spending time together and to be genuinely interested in one another.

2. What has been your favorite memory as a Moc?

My favorite on court memory was our team’s big win against Samford University at last year’s SoCon Conference Tournament. We had lost a match to Samford just eight days prior, and this was a great comeback for us. My favorite off court memory was our road trip back from the SoCon Conference at the end of this season. We had a huge sing-along that lasted at least 90 minutes and included Coach Clark. We sang in different accents in even had a chipmunk impersonation for a couple of numbers.

3. What is your favorite thing to do other than play tennis?

I LOVE watching movies of almost any genre (with the exception of horror movies). I enjoy referencing movie lines and even when they are sometimes lost on other people, Coach Clark is quick to catch on.

4. What are your plans upon graduation?

I plan to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy and am in the process of taking prerequisite courses and arranging for an internship, so that I can apply for my Master’s Degree within the next year.

5. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I am very mechanical and I am the go-to, fix-it person in my family.  People may also be surprised to know that I enjoy going to museums, art and history, in particular.

6. How has being a student-athlete affected your college experience?

Because of my academic challenges, school has never been my “thing,” and I am not sure that I would have even gone to college if I had not played a sport.  Tennis gave me the motivation to attend college and I was forced to become highly efficient, organized, and to use my time wisely all the way through.

7. What is your favorite place to eat in Chattanooga?

Genghis Grill, hands down ! It was my first introduction to the stacking experience which was especially useful right after a big practice!

8. What is your first memory of playing tennis?

My first memory of tennis competition was playing under the lights late at night at Blackburn Tennis Center in Atlanta. It was an incredibly long match which came down to a tie-breaker that I won. My opponent and I later became friends, so that cemented the wonderful memory.

9. Who has had the most impact on you during your time at UTC?

I would have to say that my teammates have had the greatest impact because I spent the most time with them. When I joined the team, the girls were incredibly gracious to me and acted like big sisters, welcoming me into the family. When a group of Freshman joined the team this year, it came me the opportunity to repay the kindness that I had been shown. I think that this is a great reflection of Coach Clark’s recruiting and judge of character. He doesn’t only select players with skill, he looks for players who will get along with one another and blend as a team.

10. If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

This is a leading question because I think that people assume I would choose a tennis player. Actually,  if I could have dinner with anyone, it would be 50 Cent ! I listen to his music before each match to get pumped up. He has been truly inspirational and I attribute a lot of my wins to him!

Sauzon, Mocs Win 2013 SoCon Women’s Golf Championship

The Chattanooga Mocs women’s golf team made it four in a row on Tuesday capturing the Southern Conference Women’s Golf Championship at Moss Creek Golf Club. UTC shot 298 in the final round for the six-stroke win over the surging Furman Paladins.

The Mocs total of 895 (+31) is the lowest in the five years the tourney has been played at Moss Creek’s Devil’s Elbow course. It is the second lowest all-time behind Western Carolina’s 894 in 2003 at Waynesville Golf and Country Club in Waynesville, N.C.

Sophomore Agathe Sauzon (Valence, France) led the way capturing the individual title in a playoff with Mary Chandler Bryan of College of Charleston. The two finished at two-over par 218 and headed to a 55th hole.

Both tee shots found the fairway with Bryan away. Her approach ended up 30 feet from the hole on the front of the green. Sauzon eyed the flag from 96 yards out and zoned in with her 52 degree wedge. She stuck her shot to within three feet of the pin.

Bryan rolled her putt up the slope toward the hole breaking just right with near perfect speed. With par in hand, she awaited Sauzon’s effort. With teammates, administrators and fans surrounding the green, she calmly dropped the birdie attempt in the heart of the hole for her first collegiate win. Sauzon shot two-over par 218 for the week and is plus three over her last 108 holes.

Emily McLennan (Queensland, Australia) recorded her third top five of the season, tying for fifth. She shot rounds of 72, 74 and 76 to shoot 222 (+6). She was key in the win today firing one-under par on the back nine today to help hold off the Paladins.

Isabella Loza (Bucaramanga, Colombia) missed a top 10 finish by just two shots. She carded a final round 75 (+3), which was matched by Jordan Britt (Chattanooga, Tenn.) who tied for 16th. Loza ended the tournament at 230, while Britt completed her 54 holes at 232. Porsche Campbell (Vancouver, Canada) closed out at 235.

Furman tied the tournament record for low round with a 291 today matching UNCG’s mark in round two. It ended up at 901 over the 54 holes, two ahead of the Spartans in third at 903. Charleston was fourth with a total of 921.

Head Coach Colette Murray was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in the last four years. McLennan notched Freshman of the Year honors along with All-SoCon. She is the third Moc to claim the top freshman award joining Emma de Groot (2008) and Maria Salinas (2009).

McLennan is joined on the all-league team by Britt and Sauzon. It is the second straight year Britt has been named All-SoCon,

Southern Conference Championship
April 14-16 – Moss Creek Golf Club – Hilton Head, S.C.

All-Southern Conference Team
Vanessa Koechli, College of Charleston
Kathy Boehm, College of Charleston
Julia Neumann, College of Charleston
Martyna Mierzwa, Elon
Laura Wearn, Furman
Fanny Cnops, UNCG
Natalie Mitchell, Samford
Jordan Britt, Chattanooga
Emily McLennan, Chattanooga
Agathe Sauzon, Chattanooga

All-Freshman Team
Julia Neumann, College of Charleston
Louise Olsson, College of Charleston
Sunna Vidisdottir, Elon
Stephanie Carlozzi, Furman
Emily McLennan, Chattanooga

Player of the Year
Fanny Cnops, UNCG

Freshman of the Year
Emily McLennan, Chattanooga

Coach of the Year
Colette Murray, Chattanooga

Chattanooga Defends SoCon Championship Winning by Two

The Chattanooga Mocs men’s golf team won its second Southern Conference Men’s Golf Championship in a row holding off Davidson on Ralston Creek Course. UTC won by two with a total of 884.

The Mocs entered the day with a three-shot lead and quickly added to it. Through six holes, UTC was two under as a team and seven clear of the Wildcats. Holes seven, eight and nine were not good to the Mocs however. The squad was plus five over that stretch seeing its lead shrink to just three.

Chattanooga regrouped. The margin swelled to as many as eight through 12, but Davidson would not go away. Todd Eckstein tallied back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 to propel the Wildcats within four with three holes to play.

It came down to the final group. The Mocs led by two strokes with senior Steven Fox (Hendersonville, Tenn.) on 18. His second shot into par five ended up long and in the hazard. Eckstein ended up safely on the green in regulation for Davidson.

Fox’s chip left him with an eight-footer for par. Eckstein was up first and his downhill birdie effort slid by four feet. Fox missed his par effort, but had a short putt for bogey. Eckstein missed for par, but the win was secured for Chattanooga as Fox tapped in his bogey.

Three UTC golfers notched top 10s for the tourney led by Fox who tied for runner-up with Eckstein and UNCG’s Taylor Coalson at one over (217). Davis Bunn (Knoxville, Tenn.) ended up sixth with his final round 71 providing a four-over par 220 finish. Chris Robb (Aberdeenshire, Scotland) tied for 10th at 224.

College of Charleston’s Josh Lorenzetti is this year’s medalist. His birdie on 17 and par on 18 gave him the two-stroke win. His rounds of 76, 69 and 70 provide a 54-hole total of 215, one-under par. The Wildcats’ Richard Fountain followed the trio at plus one finishing fifth at three over.

Chattanooga shot 296 in its final round which tied for the third lowest round of the day. Furman shot 292 followed by Davidson’s 295. UNCG matched the Mocs effort.

Fox and Robb made the All-SoCon squad. It’s the third such honor for Fox, first for Robb. Elon’s Bill Morningstar was awarded Coach of the Year, while Georgia Southern’s Scott Wolfes nabbed Player of the Year. Lorenzetti and Coalson were co-Freshmen of the Year.

The Mocs now await word of their NCAA Regional site. The announcement is Monday, May 6, at 9 p.m., on NCAA.com.

Southern Conference Championship
April 21-23 – Ralston Creek Course – Daniel Island, S.C.

Jeff Clark Gets 100th Win

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s tennis team posted its fourth-straight shutout with a 7-0 win over Austin Peay at the Hixson Racquet Club tonight. UTC improves to 5-0 for the first time in over 10 years and Jeff Clark earned his 100^th win as head coach of the Lady Mocs.

“Chattanooga has such a tremendous tennis community and it is an amazing place to coach,” stated Clark. “Getting to 100 wins is great, but it is really about the student-athletes. They are the ones who win the matches and we have had a lot of good ones over the years. We have a bunch of good ones this year and hopefully we can keep it going.”

UTC is almost perfect through five matches, having only lost one point in the season-opening 6-1 win over Kennesaw State. Since then, Chattanooga has blanked in-state rivals Belmont, Middle Tennessee, Lipscomb and Austin Peay.

UTC won all three doubles matches, including 8-0 shutouts at No. 2 and No. 3. Senior Jenna Nurik (Roswell, Ga.) and sophomore Kaylene Chadwell (Franklin, Tenn.) improved to 4-1 with an 8-0 win over Alison Carre and Vanessa Tavares at No. 2. Freshmen Kelsey Coots (Huntsville, Ala.) and Kayla Jones (Memphis, Tenn.) are also 4-1 after an 8-5 win over Arnella Di Salvo and Andra Cornea at No. 1.

Nurik clinched the win with her (6-3, 6-2) victory over Carre at No. 1. Nurik improves to 5-0 in the spring and 10-6 overall. Jones is also 5-0 this spring following her (6-3, 6-3) win over Cornea at No. 3. She leads the team with a 16-2 overall singles mark.

Chadwell posted a (6-1, 6-3) win over Ornella at No. 2 and is 4-1 in the spring. Coots, sophomore Claire Mulyadi (Semarang, Indonesia) and freshman Jovana Pecovski (Apitan, Serbia) also had singles wins today.

Clark is in the sixth year of his second stint at UTC. He coached the Lady Mocs from 1999-01 and returned to UTC in 2007. His career record stands at 100-84.

The Lady Mocs are back on the court on Saturday, Feb. 16, when they host Lee University at the Champions Club. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) and this is a double-header with the men’s teams. A link for live scoring is available on the women’s tennis schedule page on GoMocs.com.

Chattanooga 7, Austin Peay 0
Feb 08, 2013 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hixson Racquet Club)
Doubles competition
1. Kayla Jones/Kelsey Coots (UTC) def. DI SALVO, Ornella/CORNEA, Andra (APSU) – 8-5
2. Jenna Nurik/Kaylene Chadwell (UTC) def. CARRE, Alison/TAVARES, Vanessa
    (APSU) – 8-0
3. Katie Polk/Claire Mulyadi (UTC) def. COVINGTON, Julie/KARAC, Jovana (APSU) – 8-0

Singles competition
1. Jenna Nurik (UTC) def. CARRE, Alison (APSU) – 6-3, 6-2
2. Kaylene Chadwell (UTC) def. DI SALVO, Ornella (APSU) – 6-1, 6-3
3. Kayla Jones (UTC) def. CORNEA, Andra (APSU) – 6-3, 6-3
4. Kelsey Coots (UTC) def. TAVARES, Vanessa (APSU) – 6-1, 6-3
5. Claire Mulyadi (UTC) def. KARAC, Jovana (APSU) – 6-0, 6-1
6. Jovana Pecovski (UTC) def. COVINGTON, Julie (APSU) – 6-1, 6-0

10 Questions with Steven Fox

Why did you choose UTC?

Choose UTC because of the players that I would be surrounded by and the courses in Chattanooga were phenomenal.

What has been your favorite memory as a Moc?

Favorite memory is winning the US Amateur and then coming back to Chattanooga and seeing all of the support and excitement.

What is your favorite thing to do other than play golf?

I love to play basketball whenever I can without coach finding out!

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I am really OCD about certain things like setting my alarm.  I always try to wake up at the same time every day.

Do you have any pregame rituals before you tee-off?

No, I stick to my same routine for every tournament starting an hour before I tee off. Routine consists of getting to the course an hour early, start putting for a few minutes, hit range balls for about 30 minutes, go back to the putting green, get started, and WIN!

How has being a student-athlete affected your college experience?

It takes up a lot of your time but it does prepare you for what you want to do in the future.  You learn more about what you’re doing as a student-athlete then being just a regular student.

What is your favorite place to eat in Chattanooga?

Hennen’s Steakhouse or Moe’s Southwest Grill

What is your first memory of playing golf?

First memory playing golf was when I was about 4 or 5 years old playing with my dad and getting to sign my first autograph at my local club.

Who has had the most impact on you during your time at UTC?

My  teammates.  They are with you 24/7 and you learn so much about each person.  You become a big family by the end of the semester.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

Tiger Woods.  He is part of my generation and I believe there would be so many good stories and just listen to what he has to say about his career.

Bonus Question: Other than having your name in the record books, what is or has been the best part of winning the US Amateur?

Best part has to be all of the traveling that I have done and representing my country.  I have gotten to see so many new places and have been able to meet some very influential people I would not have met otherwise.  My life has changed completely after winning the US Amateur.

10 Questions with Sara Poteat

Why did you choose UTC?

I fell in love with the coaches and the city of Chattanooga. Coach Reed treated me like one of his own. UTC is also not too far from home, which makes it easier on my parents and family to come visit and watch games.

What has been your favorite memory as a Moc?

Meeting the people who will be my lifetime best friends, and painting up with my girls for the football games in the freezing cold weather. Mocs Fly Together!

What is your favorite thing to do other than play softball?

Play other sports, compete, workout. I love being active.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I really love to sing, but I don’t do it when I’m put on the spot. I don’t like being the center of attention.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Somehow, some way, I have to make sure my legs are good and warm.. So I do a lot of jumping and high knees that my teammates make fun of me for.

How has being a student-athlete affected your college experience?

In every way possible. Being a student-athlete has given me the opportunity to attend college, and has instilled in me characteristics and traits that will help me for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine being in college and not being an athlete.

What is your favorite place to eat in Chattanooga?

Fuji!!! I would eat it every day if I could!

What is your first memory of playing softball?

When I was a tiny little kid, and I was so determined to do everything myself that I wouldn’t throw the ball to anyone else on my team. I would just run and chase the girl on the other team until I tagged her out.

Who has had the most impact on you during your time at UTC?

My best friends that I’ve become so close with. We spend most hours of every day together and hardly stop laughing. We’ve gone through thick and thin together and have built friendships that will last a lifetime. Not to mention meeting the man of my dreams.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

Jesus Christ, because I can’t wait to see the face of the man who suffered and gave his life to save us.

Get to Know Mocs Club Member Rusty Scott

As an active member for of the Mocs Club for over thirty years, why did you decide to become a member of the Mocs Club?

McKenzie Arena opened in the fall after I graduated, so I had to join to get lower level reserved seats. I remain a member because the benefits and the value of membership have increased through the years.

How long have you been following UTC Athletics?

I can remember my dad taking me to football games at Chamberlain Field and basketball games at Maclellan Gym when I was 10 years old, so 45 years and counting.

What is your favorite memory of being a Mocs fan?

I went to Springfield MA in 1977 when Men’s Basketball won the Division II National Championship. I also saw the Mocs beat NC State (then barely lose to Minnesota) in 1982 at the NCAA Regionals in Indianapolis.

What are some of your interests outside of UTC Athletics?

I am a long-time member of Brainerd Presbyterian Church. I enjoy fishing and getting together with friends from high school and college.

Where is your favorite place to eat in Chattanooga, and what is your favorite dish?

For lunch, you cannot beat the smoked chicken salad at T-Bones. I also enjoy the baby-back ribs at Smokey Bones on Gunbarrel Rd.

Why is it important for young alumni or young Mocs fans to get involved with the Mocs Club?

Many of UTC’s non-revenue sports have been its most successful. Donations to the Mocs Club help provide scholarships for student-athletes that participate in those sports. The Mocs Club is a great way for young people to show pride and support their school. Any size gift makes a difference. Just ask a student-athlete or coach.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

Charles Barkley…never a dull moment