When first-year Hickman boys tennis coach Andy Materer runs drills in practice, he’s not afraid to step onto the court. Kewpies junior Brandon Page says his coach can still play the game.
“Coach Materer can beat any one of us,” Page said.
Tennis has been a part of his Materer’s life since he began playing at age 8 at the Southwest Swim Club in Columbia. When Materer was growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, he says tennis had reached its peak of prominence in the community.
“It was the golden years of tennis,” Materer said. “Everyone was playing and watching (John) McEnroe and (Jimmy) Connors.”
Materer spent many summer evenings during his childhood playing tennis with his family, leading to his eventual interest in the sport.
“It became my passion and love,” Materer said. “It was something that boosted my confidence and developed my character.”
Materer’s dedication to the sport at an early age led to a successful career at Rock Bridge High school. He played in the state tournament three times, finishing second in singles his senior year in 1988.
After high school, he went on to play for Mizzou, earning an honorable mention on the All Big Eight Conference Academic Team. Materer, 36, says he is still an active player.
“I have been competing in tournaments and have continued to play competitively,” Materer said.
Materer says tennis has not only kept him in shape, but it also gave him skills that have helped him throughout his life, which is why he coaches the sport as well as plays, hoping to provide his players with the same life skills that he had received from the sport.
“Being able to teach a life long skill to students of the game is an honor,” Materer said.
Much like his playing experience, Materer’s coaching experience also came at an early age. He was only 18 when he began coaching at the Southwest swim club. He later went on to coach part-time at the now-closed Club Woodrail for eight years. There he helped run a program aimed at getting kids ready for high school tennis. Materer eventually left Columbia taking a job at Fulton High School, where he coached tennis and volleyball until he was offered a job as an English teacher and boys tennis coach at Hickman.
“I had been wanting to coach tennis (in Columbia) for several years.” Materer said. “I was thrilled about getting the job.”
As the Kewpies new head coach, Materer has set a goal to make sure tennis influences his players lives in much the same way it influenced his.
“These guys have a sport that teaches them confidence and about self-esteem.” Materer said.
Improving his players’ self-esteem has become something Materer regularly focuses during practices. He gives the players constant positive reinforcement. When a player leaves the court after a drill, Materer will immediately ask them “What did you do well?” After practice Monday, Materer huddled his team up and gave them a speech about self affirmation. When his speech was over, each player took turns saying “I believe I can win.” Many of his players say they enjoy Materer’s positive approach to correcting mistakes and building confidence.
“I like it,” Page said. “He never really yells or says anything negative,”
Though Materer coaches positive reinforcement, he says he still wants his players to give a complete effort on the court. Materer says tennis is a mental battle and a person has to outwork and outthink his opponent.
“My coaching philosophy is to never let the ball bounce twice and to hustle,” Materer said. “Going the distance just means staying in the match and fighting all the way to the end.”
Though Materer would like his team to be successful this season, he admits that has an even greater goal for all of his players.
“My goal is that everyone of these kids will be playing the rest of their lives, using the lessons learned here to help overcome challenges they will have to face,” Materer said.