All eyes on Baylor: Hear from the coach who's hosting the very best in NCAA Division I college tennis

The NCAA Division I individual championships are taking place this week, as the very best men and women are aiming to capture the ultimate prize: a national trophy.

College tennis is exploding with talent, as more and more of the pro game’s top stars are emerging from American universities. But a great showcase needs a great hosting site, and congruently, it needs a leader to captain the ship. Michael Woodson is that leader, having emerged as one of the sport’s most respected coaches for the Baylor University men’s team. He's produced great teams, exceptional players, and even more exceptional people who personify what it means to be model student-athletes. It made perfect sense why college tennis chose one of the most reliable programs, and coaches, to host the individual championships this fall.

Woodson recently joined the Inside-In Podcast to discuss the upcoming event, Baylor’s tremendous facilities, and why he thoroughly enjoys the life he has made for himself in tennis.

Woodson began his connection with tennis as a player at Valparaiso. He was all set to attend to medical school when an unthinkable tragedy hit his family, as his mother was killed by a drunk driver. There are no words to adequately comprehend that type of loss, and Woodson did some real soul searching in the grieving process that ultimately changed his path.

“She was very influential in my life, very important,” he reflected.

“One of my greatest mentors [esteemed Valparaiso head coach Jim Daughtery] offered me an opportunity to get into coaching, and asked if I would just stay and be his assistant and get my master’s there,” Woodson went on.

“I fell in love with it. We did some special things there as a program, and I had the opportunity to make some mistakes and learn how this thing is done in college coaching through those four years at Valpo.”

With coaching firmly in his blood, Woodson quickly worked his way up the ranks. He joined Baylor as an associate head coach, and ultimately became the man to lead the program at the head position. Under Woodson the Bears have flourished in every area, with five ITA All-Americans, four NCAA tournament berths, and a runner-up finish at the 2021 NCAA championships.

Woodson works his players relentlessly in practice to hone their skills, but he’s built a culture that accomplishes much more than results on the court.

“We’ve had some success, and I will say that’s absolutely due to everybody that lifts me up every day. I mean we have an incredible staff, we have amazing student-athletes. I truly want them to be great people down the line, because eventually the ball is going to stop bouncing.

"It’s delayed gratification for sure. I mean you’re banging your head against the wall sometimes with these guys. But maybe two, three, four years later, when you see them playing at Wimbledon or the US Open, it’s a really cool thing to experience.”

The NCAA individual championships are breaking new ground this year, as the decision was made to hold the event in the fall for at least the next two years. Moving it from its normal timeframe in the spring has been a much-debated topic, which Woodson understands not just as the coach of the school that's hosting the competition. He is also one of 13 coaches on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Division I Operating Committee.

“It allows us to shine a light on the individuals a little bit more, singles and doubles, because the calendar is kind of coming to a close on the pro circuit. And so we can focus a little bit more on what’s happening with our student athletes,” Woodson said, providing clarity to the schedule change.

“I think this is a great opportunity to give the top players from the top programs the opportunity to do well in both events [individual and team championships]. For the experience of the student-athlete, I think this is taking it to the next level.”

Woodson is wearing multiple hats for the tournament, as he is also coaching the players on his team who’ve earned their spot in the field. The action is taking place at the Hurd Tennis Center, which features 12 outdoor courts and amphitheater seating that is truly state-of-the-art.

Woodson is the perfect man for the perfect opportunity: a chance to showcase why Baylor’s facilities and their tennis culture are a gold standard in college tennis.

“Our goal is to truly make all the student athletes that come here special, and they should. This is the cream of the crop when it comes to championships,” he said pridefully. “These young men and young women are going to go on to change the world, and I think it will be for the better. So we’re excited to give them a good experience.”