Q&A: Brandon Stokes
Brandon Stokes led the FAU men's tennis team to an 18-8 record this season in his first year of coaching the Owls. FAU was the runner-up in the Sun Belt Conference this season and climbed as high as No. 59 in the country. The Owls finished the season with a school-record regional ranking of No. 14.
Originally published on
6/30/2009
by
FAUOwlAccess Staff Report
FAUOwlAccess.com: There are so many great players in South Florida, how do you get them interested in FAU?
Brandon Stokes: I must first clarify the question. There are many very good young players in South Florida. I do not consider young teenagers great because to be great you must sustain success over a period of time—arguably 7-10 years. A teenager has not had this opportunity yet. Great is overused in our culture and it unfairly distorts the reality of young people and their parents.
I want the best athletes, competitors, students, and persons to come to FAU because it is the best university for them to meet their academic, athletic and social needs. The best way to develop holistically as a young person is to capitalize on the privilege of attending a fine academic and athletic university like FAU. You develop intellectually, athletically, and socially.
Right now, I am a farmer. I am plowing the fields and caring for the soil so the seeds of a championship program may grow. It takes time, consistent daily effort, and passion to fulfill the short term and long term vision that I have. We just finished our first year with a terrific group of young men who believed in the Owl Way and each other. We must build upon this first year’s success and sustain it over several seasons. This will raise the awareness of what we are doing here. The talented and smart juniors in Florida will realize what we know to be true about FAU: a challenging teaching and research university, a burgeoning residential and athletic campus, a beautiful campus 2 miles from sparkling beaches and endless sunshine!
You can come to FAU and be part of building something that is bigger than you…create a history that is meaningful. We have had moments of success in our brief history and now you can come here and help sustain it. Make your special imprint. It is challenging. It is fun. Here at FAU you are creating a legacy that will help transform our young university into prominence.
I am increasing the visibility of FAU men’s tennis. I am building relationships with the numerous tennis academies and their coaches. As I earn their trust and confidence they will be more willing to encourage their juniors to consider FAU. And once they consider FAU and come to campus and meet the team they will be hooked. Our team bond is unbreakable. When they see the way my guys train, compete, and study they will be excited about becoming an Owl!
FAUOwlAccess.com: What is the most interesting thing in your office?
Stokes: To me the most interesting thing in my office is my library of information and music. It gives me an edge. To others who visit the office it might be my wedding picture, yoda, or the owl snowglobe.
FAUOwlAccess.com: How did you get started in coaching?
Stokes: Teaching and coaching was nurtured in me by my parents. They wanted me to soak up information and ask questions. Then they demanded that I act on this. It’s our family’s perspective that we must share what we have learned. We must do our part to help make others better.
FAUOwlAccess.com: What is your favorite part about coaching at Florida Atlantic?
Stokes: My team. My boys are terrific. I admire their commitment, love for competing, and how much they care for each other. We grew together this past year and I am excited about my first recruiting class this fall!
FAUOwlAccess.com: What has been the best moment at FAU?
Stokes: It started from my interview for this position and continued to our first team meeting and then to our first full day of morning conditioning and on court training in the sunny afternoon. There is no better place in the entire world for what I do. My wife loves living and working here and so do I. Every day I give thanks for what we have and for those who help make this possible.