Daily Egyptian
Kristina Dailing
To Judy Auld, coaching is about playing with heart, learning loyalty and remembering the people who paved the path to get us here.
Back in the days when women weren't completely accepted in sports, SIU's longtime women's tennis coach began to carve out a life dedicated to athletics and teaching.
She didn't play sports in high school because schools did not provide women's teams, but Auld did play tennis through junior tournaments and fast-pitch softball.
After graduating from high school, Auld went to Lakeland Community College in Mattoon before transferring to SIU where she couldn't believe the sports opportunities for women.
"When I came down here and saw that there were athletic teams for women, I was in seventh heaven," Auld said. "I loved it."
Her years as an undergraduate at SIU were spent playing tennis, basketball, softball and field hockey. During those years, she met many coaches and teachers who impacted her life.
"[Former SIU Athletic Director and coach] Charlotte West was one of my instructors, and I worked for her for years, so she was my mentor," Auld said. "I wouldn't be where I am at without her."
In 1974, Auld ran into West at a dance concert, and she learned that there might be a coaching position open for women's tennis.
"I never had foreseen being a coach, because it just wasn't a thing for women at that time," Auld said. "You just didn't find a lot of female coaches at that time."
But in February 1975, Auld started as tennis coach, only planning to stay for a few years.
"I was very lucky that I was in a program that was so progressive and gave women that opportunity," Auld said.
Now 27 years later, Auld still coaches women's tennis, helping young women achieve on the court as well as off.
"She certainly bleeds Saluki maroon," said Associate Athletic Director Kathy Jones. "You won't find a more loyal, dedicated coach anywhere."
This dedication has allowed her to deal with disappointments and continue to work with young female athletes.
"Every coach wants to succeed and have winning years," Auld said. "But I think if you can touch people's lives, it's even more significant."
Auld touched current Saluki Tana Trapani's life before she even started school at SIU.
"Before I even came to SIU, just talking to her on the phone when she was recruiting me, I could tell she genuinely cared about all of her players," Trapani said.
Auld continues touching the lives of her players and other members of the Athletic Department, on and off the court.
"Judy is a very competitive coach, but she is also very compassionate about her players personally and is sensitive to her players needs," Jones said.
Trapani experienced this first hand when she injured her hip and was out for almost all of last year's tennis season.
"She not only supported me as a coach, wanting me to play again, it was also, 'I want what's best for you Tana,'" Trapani said.
Auld's compassion also allowed her to keep the girls competitive and confident through the disappointments of last season.
"It wasn't affecting her coaching," Trapani said. "It wasn't like she was embarrassed to go out on the court with just four girls. She stayed very positive through the whole thing."
But now, with fresh recruits and strong returning players, Auld has set new goals for the upcoming season.
"I want to get the program back where it has always been," Auld said. "It has always been a solid, constant program."
She also hopes that the team can make it back to the conference tournament after they missed it last season because all the injuries.
"I really want this group of young ladies to have a fair shot at being a major contender in the conference again," Auld said. "I would love to win the conference title, and I want them to have that thrill of winning a championship."
Auld has always helped the girls do their best by keeping them focused on what's important.
"She puts things in perspective," Trapani said. "She's going to tell you 'It's a game. If you're not having fun out there, then it's not even worth being out there.'"
Auld's plans keep her here at SIU, at least for the time being.
However, she has no plans to leave the Southern Illinois area, a place where she feels she belongs. And when her mother passed away several years ago, she found out just how much she did love the people and the area.
"I didn't realize how many friends I had here," Auld said. "Why move somewhere where I don't know anybody. I have such a good support system here."
There will be more summers of teaching tennis lessons, more fall conditioning and more spring recruiting for Auld, who doesn't have plans to stop coaching anytime soon.
"I still enjoy what I do. I still get excited about the prospects of new girls coming in and working with them," Auld said. "If I ever get to a point where I'm not excited, then it's time to move on."
Reporter Kristina Dailing can be reached at kdailing@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
