FocusWednesday
Page 5
February 11, 2009
Right: Campbell takes a break from practice for a moment. Left: Campbell returns a volley during practice. Campbell is busy preparing for his first year of eligibility.
Jamaican Farewell Due to an NCAA ruling, Eldad Campbell was stripped of his first year of eligibility. He waited out his sentence and now, with his eyes fixed on the future, Campbell cannot wait to hit the court. Story by: Rachel Swearingen, Contributing Writer Photos by: Zak Zeinert, Chief Photographer
H
e left pristine beaches, lush plant life and a Caribbean climate for tumbleweeds, mesquite trees and bi-polar weather. But despite the change in scenery, Eldad Campbell loves his choice to come to ACU to play tennis. Campbell, sophomore marketing major from Kingston, Jamaica, grew up playing tennis. His father played in the Davis Cup, and his uncle was the national tennis team coach, so tennis is in his blood. “I just enjoy being out there and competing against someone else,” Campbell said. He began playing at age 7, and quickly progressed to being the No. 1 tennis player in Jamaica from age 12 to 18. Currently, he is in the top four in men’s tennis in Jamaica. A three-time Davis Cup participant, Campbell also has played in the Pan-American Games, the Junior Davis Cup and the National World Youth Cup. And if that is not enough, he also loves track and field, soccer and cricket. But Campbell’s story is just beginning – head coach Hutton Jones said Campbell has a lot to offer the world of tennis. “I really think he’s going to make his mark on ACU tennis,” Jones said. “He’s definitely going to be a factor in our success this spring.” Campbell arrived in Abilene last January ready to play, but was unable to compete last season because of an NCAA ruling against him. “They had a very unfavorable ruling,” Jones said. “He was a victim of the system because he didn’t do anything.” Since Campbell graduated from high school at age 15, the NCAA believed he had too much time in between high school and college, and took away one year of eligibility from him. Campbell added that the NCAA’s ruling also was affected by the fact he had played professionally for two years before attending college. NCAA regulations only allow for one year of professional play. “Finally, he can play this spring,” Jones said. “I’m excited for the day to come. I can tell from watching him play practice matches that he’s a very experienced competitor.” Despite the setback, Campbell is glad to be at ACU. “Jamaica has more things to do than Abilene, but that’s a good thing because coming here allows me the opportunity to focus on my tennis,” Campbell said. “The program that Coach Jones has structured is a really good one. My game will definitely improve coming to ACU.” When he arrived in Abilene, Campbell said at first he was not affected much by culture shock. “I was just looking forward to getting enrolled in university,” Campbell said. “But once I realized there wasn’t much to do, it threw me off a bit.” To alleviate the culture shock, Campbell said he hangs out with other Jamaicans on campus and in his spare time, can usually be found on the tennis courts. But ACU was never in Campbell’s plans. He originally planned to attend Hampton University, but had another NCAA problem when they told him he was ineligible to attend a Division I school. During his search for a school with a good tennis program, his friend Damien Johnson, also a Jamaican tennis player, mentioned ACU to Campbell. Once Campbell heard Johnson’s endorsement of ACU, he called Jones right away. “I got to know him over the phone and I figured out he was a quality person,” Jones said. “It’s kinda funny how these things work out.” Both have high hopes for the upcoming season, now that Campbell is allowed to play. “Without him, we’re not as good of a team,” Jones said. “We did great last year and didn’t lose anyone. This team has the deepest talent level I’ve had since I’ve been here.”
Campbell echoed Jones’ optimism for the season. “Our team is really strong, especially with Ryan Hudson and Juan Nunez,” Campbell said. “Coach has gotten some really good players together, and I think we can make it to the NCAA championship.” Beside his tennis skills, Campbell also brings a laid-back, team-player personality that will help out the team, Jones said. “I don’t want to be stereotypical, but he pretty much embodies the song Don’t Worry, Be Happy,’” Jones said. “He doesn’t get riled up about anything. His personality doesn’t let him get flustered; he’s real even-keeled.” Jones said Campbell surprised him with his desire to put the team above himself because some high-level players have trouble adapting to a team atmosphere. “Good players tend to be spoiled and babied. But to his credit and my luckiness, he’s very coachable,” Jones
said. “He’s looking to improve all the time, and it’s within his range to become an all-American player one of these years.” After college, Campbell said he wants to continue in the pro circuit and model himself after tennis star Roger Federer. “It’s very competitive out there — there are 1,000 other guys out there that share the same dream as me,” Campbell said. “I just set small goals and achieve those. I’d love to be in the top 100 players in the world.” Until then, Campbell will focus on ACU tennis; Jones said he has yet to overcome his biggest challenge. “I don’t let him play with his earrings in,” Jones joked. “So he’s had to adjust to being lighter on the courts.”
E-mail Swearingen at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu