serving up success

BY WENDY FRANZEN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Alexandre Cotard, The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff ’s (RCLB) Junior Program Director and Head Tennis Professional, coaches young ath letes with a focus on character-building, care, and self-esteem.

Many coaching programs and

academies get lost in the process

of growing the top and lose focus

on growing from within. Our

program’s success lays upon

growth from the ground up.

“For me, it all revolves around care. Care instills responsibility in what you do. Caring for something makes you want to work harder and aspire to excellence. It goes beyond your own work. It creates respect for other’s work and builds strong friendships along the way,” says Cotard. “My coaching philosophy embraces these everyday life principles.”

Alex Cotard comes from a tennis playing family. He was raised in the beautiful village of Roquebrune Sur Argens in Provence, where, he says “everyone was playing the game— grandparents, parents, and cousins. I got my first racquet at 4-years-old and remember spending a lot of time hitting against the wall.”

His father was a tennis coach for the French Federation and taught Alex the fundamentals, and he naturally inherited a passion for the game. “My father taught myself and my brother, Nicholas (also on the coaching staff at RCLB), to grow and become better players, then later mentoring us to become better teachers.”

He played his first official tournament at age 10 in the French Riviera on red clay. Though he doesn’t recall the outcome, he vividly remembers, “loving the vibe and the intensity, the competitiveness, the respect of the sport.”

The U.S., for him, was always the country of sports and achievement. After moving here at age 22, drawn by a desire to “get closer to the winning culture and passion for sports,” he connected with French tennis coach Sylvain Guichard, the former head coach at Mississippi State who had become the general manager at RCLB.

Guichard introduced him to a game plan of precise technical instruction, and with full support from club owners (and Lake Bluff residents) Dan Bruch and Gary Janko, he enthusiastically joined the team in 2008.

Passion for RCLB, his fellow staff members, and their students is clear. Cotard shares, “As a coach, I like being on the court with our students, coaching close to the action. As a director, what truly makes me proud is seeing our teaching method and care paying off. Also, seeing the chemistry between our coaches and students on all the courts, having fun improving all the skills required by our sport, and developing self-esteem

Alexandre Cotard is Junior Program Director and Head Tennis Professional at The Racquet Club of Lake Bluff. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR and confidence.”

He believes it is RCLB’s excellent attention to detail and the quality instruction by all 15 pros that set it apart from other clubs. “Many coaches get lost in the process of growing to the top and lose focus on growing from within. Our program’s success lays upon growth from the ground up.”

RCLB’s ground-up approach results in large student retention and constant growth, from early stages to state, national, and collegiate level champions. It is important for Cotard to note, however, that the coaches “always take into account the needs and expectations of every player, whether they are new to the game or a nationally ranked junior player.”

The satisfaction of all players is incredibly important.

And with care and character at the core of their coaching ethos, it is no surprise that Co tard’s most emphatic expression is this: “On behalf of all of the RCLB coaching staff we would like to share our deep appreciation to our members and our amazing ownership for supporting us during this unprecedented time.”

6 BEDROOM, 5.1 BATH | 475ROSEWOOD.INFO

Prettiest custom-built home in the perfect location in the “Tree Streets”, 2 to 3 blocks to the elementary schools, parks, town & train. Truly fresh & youthful, “better than new construction” great floor plan with room for everyone.

Cheryl Chambers SENIOR BROKER ASSOCIATE

847.977.3924 • cheryl@chamberscross.com

5 BEDROOM & 4.3 BATHS | $889,000

The contemporary style offers flexibility in the use of space, neutral decor, and spacious rooms. The sun-drenched main level has an open floor plan and features a living/great room & dining room with high ceilings, large windows, and hardwood floors. Kitchen boasts more than ample cabinet space and a separate all glass eating area. Oversized primary bedroom suite features a fireplace, endless closets, large dressing area, and full skylit bathroom. Four additional bedrooms all have walk-in closets. A finished basement, recreation area with fireplace, large laundry room, and two storage rooms complete the lower level. Close to Botanic Gardens, Forest Preserve, and downtown Glencoe.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED!

847.217.6629 lindajacobson@atproperties.com

Debbie was referred to me as an excellent real estate agent. I knew right away that she has significant expertise and experience that she brings to the table. She provided professional assistance at every step of the process — from listing the property to evaluating bids to final closing. Moreover, she truly cares and is a pleasure to work with. I never felt pressured; all of her insights were based on facts and details. She never hesitated to do the homework to make sure that everything was accurate and up-to-date for the market right now. All this was accomplished during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in the area. I highly recommend Debbie for your real estate needs.

- happy client testimonial -

3 BED | 3.1 BATH | $3,450,000 A very rare find: Absolutely stunning half-floor penthouse in Benjamin Marshall’s dazzling Beaux Arts 1550 State Parkway. This exquisite 3,500-square-foot home boasts perfection in every room, with uninterrupted views of the lake, beach, Lincoln Park and the historic mansions of the Gold Coast. 24-hour doorman service, guest suite, exercise room, wine room and live-in engineer. Move right into this perfect home in this boutique (only 23 units) landmarked abode.