Tennis Pro Tasked with Revitalizing Program

It has been nearly a decade, but tennis has returned to UWG. The woman charged with the rebirth and growth of the new women’s tennis program in Carrollton is longtime tennis professional Dr. Claire Mowling.

Claire Mowling (left) brings impressive credentials to the renewed program.

“I am very excited to be part of the return of women’s tennis to West Georgia,” Mowling said. “Building a program like this will not be a short process, but right now we are going to jump in with both feet.”

Mowling has an excellent background as both a player and teacher, and she has experience in the collegiate environment. In addition, her experience has given her the contacts to be a great recruiter for the program.

“Starting completely from scratch is difficult,” she said. “But I know that the players we’re starting with are dedicated, want to play and have the desire to improve both as individuals and as a team.”

Mowling’s responsibility at UWG will be vital in developing a program that is competitive both on the court and in the classroom.

“We are looking to build a program through the retention of athletes,” Mowling said. “We will also be looking for players who will help us compete against the Gulf South Conference, one of the top tennis conferences in the nation.”

Prior to her arrival in Carrollton, she was a graduate outreach assistant at Auburn University for three years, an instructor of physical education at Jacksonville State and a graduate teaching assistant for one year at Troy.

Mowling earned both her B.S. (sport and fitness management) and M.S. (foundations of education) from Troy University. She also earned her doctorate (Ed.D.) in physical education pedagogy from Auburn University and is currently pursuing an additional master’s degree from Columbus State University.

The Wolves will begin play in the spring of 2011, but the competition, in Mowling’s eyes, begins now.

“I believe, with the correct resources, that it is attainable to contend for a GSC championship in two or three years,” she said.

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