Hite steps down at Draft

Al Hite wore his signature gold tennis racquet earring and an “I love tennis” key holder around his neck during the National Junior Tennis Camp on Monday at Ridgeview Park. Nothing had changed for Hite, except his job title.

Hite didn’t mince words Monday when he talked about his recent resignation as boys tennis coach at Stuarts Draft.
Hite’s old-school methods didn’t work, he said. His rules of punctuality on the court were amiss. That’s part of the reason why he stepped down after two years with the Cougars.

“I like the school and everything, but I feel that their heartbeat is different than mine. If I can coach one player and develop him into a good player, I’d rather do that than coach a tennis team,” Hite said. “I’m pretty strict. I only had an hour and a half to teach. Some players don’t pick it up and there is no time to spend with just one. I’m more effective one-on-one when someone wants to work hard and wants to be there.”

Stuarts Draft Athletic Director Steve Hartley could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
Problems arose when match time came around, Hite said.
“Before a tournament someone brought pizza outside the court and I told them ‘You are not eating pizza before my match, so what, if it gets cold?,’ ” Hite said. “They said, ‘We’ll talk about it.’ I said ‘No, we are not. You will not change my mind.’ You know, things like that happened.”

Players were responsible for showing up on time.
“I’m old school, if you come late to practice I will make you run around the whole court.” Hite said. “You tell them that, they complain. And players don’t want to listen, or they really don’t want to be told what they need to do.”

Hite will continue working as the tennis co-coordinator for the Waynesboro Parks and Recreational Department where he’s been for over eight years. He said he can still do a lot of tennis through the department with lessons and tennis leagues.

During the last two years, the amount quality time he was able to spend with rising tennis players was diminishing.
“I really like to work with these kids if one-on-one. I’m more effective,” he said. “In high school tennis you have to work on your best players. If you got a sixth, seventh or an eighth player they’re not even playing your ladder.”

The Cougars boys tennis squad had a record of 12-3 this season and made the district for the first time in four years.
“It’s going to be a big loss for the team,” said recent Draft graduate Brent Floyd. “I don’t think he was happy with the team. He always communicated with the team and worked to help us. He helped me with my depth and preparing me for the collegiate level.”

Hite said he was puzzled by the overall school system.
“I put my heart into tennis. It’s a sport for life, but some coaches just go to the matches.” Hite said. “Schools think that if a person can teach, they can coach.”

Hite has already moved on.
“Now I will have more time to spend with my family and spend more time doing lessons and with the recreational leagues,” Hite said.