Spice Joins Men’s Tennis Program as Assistant Coach
11/4/2016 4:35:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Gavin McFarlin - Associate SID
DAVIDSON, N.C. — Head coach Drew Barrett of the men's tennis program announced today the addition of Derrick Spice as the new assistant coach.
Spice joins the Wildcats after Alex Kasarov was hired as the new head coach at Monmouth, the fourth assistant under Barrett to go on and become a head coach.
"I'm really excited to have Derrick with us here at Davidson," said Barrett, who is entering his 11th year with the program. "With his experience as a collegiate player at Wake Forest as well as a tennis instructor at Smith Stearns, he'll bring a great deal of experience, and have a big impact on our players and program."
A four-year letterwinner for the Demon Deacons, Spice had an outstanding collegiate career. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year in 2002 after cumulating a team-leading 36-13 singles record plus a 20-10 doubles mark. It was a school record for most wins in a single season. Spice went on to earn All-ACC honors in 2002, 2004 and 2005 during his career and reached a ranking as high as 17th in the nation during his collegiate career.
Spice, an Ohio native, advanced to the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005, while captaining the team during both seasons as well.
Prior to joining Davidson for the 2016-17 season, Spice was at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy (2011-15) as a tennis instructor for competitive juniors trying to play high level college tennis. He taught technique and on-court strategies, while traveling to USTA and ITF tournaments with top-ranked juniors. Spice also contacted colleges to help players obtain scholarships and helped recruit new players to come to the academy. He placed over 40 student-athletes in division I tennis programs.
In addition to coaching and instructing at Smith Stearns, Spice also was the Director of Junior Tennis at Five Seasons Sports Club from May 2010-11, while instructing and teaching at North Ridgeville Racket Club (2007-2010) and Cleveland Racket Club (2001-03).
Spice is apart of the United States Tennis Association and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA).
The Demon Deacon graduated in 2005 with a degree in communications. Spice is currently working on his master's degree in education with a focus in athletic administration at Concordia University.
Davidson opens its Spring season at home with a doubleheader against Winthrop and traditionally ranked Clemson, Jan. 21.
Spice joins the Wildcats after Alex Kasarov was hired as the new head coach at Monmouth, the fourth assistant under Barrett to go on and become a head coach.
"I'm really excited to have Derrick with us here at Davidson," said Barrett, who is entering his 11th year with the program. "With his experience as a collegiate player at Wake Forest as well as a tennis instructor at Smith Stearns, he'll bring a great deal of experience, and have a big impact on our players and program."
A four-year letterwinner for the Demon Deacons, Spice had an outstanding collegiate career. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year in 2002 after cumulating a team-leading 36-13 singles record plus a 20-10 doubles mark. It was a school record for most wins in a single season. Spice went on to earn All-ACC honors in 2002, 2004 and 2005 during his career and reached a ranking as high as 17th in the nation during his collegiate career.
Spice, an Ohio native, advanced to the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005, while captaining the team during both seasons as well.
Prior to joining Davidson for the 2016-17 season, Spice was at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy (2011-15) as a tennis instructor for competitive juniors trying to play high level college tennis. He taught technique and on-court strategies, while traveling to USTA and ITF tournaments with top-ranked juniors. Spice also contacted colleges to help players obtain scholarships and helped recruit new players to come to the academy. He placed over 40 student-athletes in division I tennis programs.
In addition to coaching and instructing at Smith Stearns, Spice also was the Director of Junior Tennis at Five Seasons Sports Club from May 2010-11, while instructing and teaching at North Ridgeville Racket Club (2007-2010) and Cleveland Racket Club (2001-03).
Spice is apart of the United States Tennis Association and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA).
The Demon Deacon graduated in 2005 with a degree in communications. Spice is currently working on his master's degree in education with a focus in athletic administration at Concordia University.
Davidson opens its Spring season at home with a doubleheader against Winthrop and traditionally ranked Clemson, Jan. 21.
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