The annual Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic is a popular event for both the participants and local tennis fans, so tournament officials didn't see the need to improve the product on the court.

What they looked for instead was another way to spice up the annual event, which started in 1949 with individual players before switching in 1984 to a team format featuring the top college tennis programs in the nation.

Wayne Bryan will arrive in the Capital City on Wednesday to promote the annual event, serving as the featured speaker at the annual banquet that precedes the tournament as well as the emcee for the event.

Bryan is in his 11th year as coach of the Sacramento (Calif.) Capitals tennis team and was a three-time World Team Tennis coach of the year (2004-06). His twin sons Mike and Bob are currently ranked No. 1 in the world doubles rankings and hold the all-time record for career wins in double and weeks ranked at No. 1.

"He's really, really big into pro and college tennis," said Paul Winn, executive director of the tournament. "He's a very energetic guy, a crowd favorite. (Alabama men's coach) Billy Pate suggested we get in touch with him because he would bring a lot of excitement to the event. He'll be here to speak at the banquet, and he'll emcee the event. He will do a doubles clinic and will also run the kids' festival."

A tennis festival for children 10 and under is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday. In the past, tournament officials have used that time to run a clinic for junior tennis players but felt it would be better to use that time as a way to draw younger people into the sport.

"Traditionally, it's always been a junior clinic but there's never enough time to really teach them anything," Winn said. "We want more people to play tennis so the more we can get out there, the better. They did it last year, and it was a lot of fun. The kids loved it."

The real action kicks off Friday with some of the top men's and women's teams in the nation. In the past, the tournament featured 16 top men's college programs, but last year the addition of a women's bracket reduced the format to eight men's teams. In addition to annual participants Alabama and Auburn, this year's field will include Southeastern Conference rivals Mississippi State and Tennessee as well as Boise State, Clemson, Cornell and Texas Tech.

Auburn, which reached the finals last year before losing to Pepperdine, and 2010 champion Texas Tech are among the favorites. Mississippi State and Tennessee also have the talent to win the title this year.

Last year marked the first time women's teams were included in the event, with Notre Dame defeating Virginia for the championship. The Crimson Tide women's team won the consolation bracket and, along with Virginia, will be one of the favorites again this year.

"The women were a huge hit," Winn said. "Not one person said anything negative about it although we heard some negative comments about it beforehand from people who weren't sure it would work."

By Tim Gayle, Montgomery Advertiser