Feb. 5, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Charlie Ramsay is a junior from Chattanooga, Tenn. He has been a member of Paul Goebel's squad for the past three seasons. So far this season he has been playing at the No. 3 singles position and has teamed with Jorge Vazquez at the No. 1 doubles spot. Ramsay was 18-20 in singles in his first two years at the U of M. He has played at the No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles position. Ramsay has netted a record of 20-18 in doubles play during that time.

What is your feeling on the way the team has started the season?

"We have just started out really well. We have a lot of depth on the team with 10 guys on the roster. Half the guys on the roster can play anywhere in the line-up. That gives us a lot of options and also a lot of confidence that we can win at any position. That is something that we didn't have my first two years with the program. We had some guys that we knew they could win and some guys that struggled at times. Everyone on the team this year can compete.

Going from being a sophomore last year to a junior this year, what has changed in the leadership role you have taken on?

"Me and my roommate, Spencer (Heflin), along with Bennie (Fischer) are the players who have been here the longest. We have all been here for three years. I love leading. I think I am pretty good at it. Bennie is our captain, so we try to follow his lead as much as we can. But I like leading and I am very comfortable with it."

What have you learned about the leadership role from watching the way Benedikt Fischer has led the team as captain so far this season?

"Bennie leads by example, that is his strength. He isn't very outspoken like I am. He does everything right on and off the court. He brings it every day in practice. I have always known that I can be a good leader vocally, but leading by example is definitely something I can learn a lot about from Bennie."

"Practices are a lot more intense now. Everyone is fighting for their job. We have six spots and ten guys that can play in singles. It has created a sense of urgency for everyone. Practices are a lot more competitive now, which is great because it forces everyone to get better. "

Talk about what it means to you to have gotten the opportunity to play tennis at Memphis, in your home state?

"It came down to me either coming here or going to Middle Tennessee. Which is interesting because Coach Goebel played at Middle Tennessee. The deciding factor was really the chance to play for Coach Goebel. I couldn't imagine playing for anyone else other than him. He cares about his players on and off the court. It is good to get the chance to play in my home state, but more important is the chance to play for Coach Goebel."

What kinds of things do you like to do off of the tennis court? Are their any other sports you enjoy playing?

"I really enjoy playing golf. K.C. Griffin and Spencer Heflin also like to play golf a lot, so we will go out and play a lot. One of the last times we played Spencer and I played K.C. and Coach Goebel and beat them pretty badly. Michael Hayes who just joined the team also told us he likes to play golf, so he will be yet another person for us to play with. We also really like to play basketball."

What have you done to be successful in the classroom?

"You know growing up I never really enjoyed school that much. But it has gotten a lot easier since I got in to classes within my major of sport management. I really enjoy a lot of my professors and I have always loved sports, so it seems to be a really good fit. I don't know exactly what I want to do with sports management when I graduate, but I think I will probably spend a couple of years after my college career is over doing something with tennis, possibly coaching and then I will probaly pursue something else in the field of sports."