The Lone Star Film Festival brought stories from across the country to Fort Worth on Monday, Oct. 3, but one of the most powerful stories came from just down the road.
TCU students premiered “The Roditi Rule,” a short documentary about the university’s men’s tennis team, to a full house at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The film captures the heart of a campus, a coach and a championship.
The story follows the team’s journey to its 2024 NCAA title, driven by Head Coach David Roditi’s decision to challenge Big 12 norms. For years, tennis fans had to stay silent during matches.
Roditi pushed to change that, allowing cheers and chants that transformed the atmosphere and energized players.
Students in TCU’s documentary course created the film as part of a classroom assignment. Director Ella Hestand said the class received a simple prompt: make a documentary about TCU men’s tennis.
The story unfolded from there. Roditi’s charisma and history with the program became the emotional core, along with pivotal partners like Devin Bowen, assistant coach, and Luke Swan ’25, the heart of the men’s tennis team.
Audience members applauded the film’s emotional depth and professional polish.
For the student filmmakers, the screening marked a moment of validation. For Roditi, it preserved a legacy.
“The Roditi Rule” celebrates student storytelling and the spirit of Fort Worth tennis. On Monday night, it reminded viewers that sometimes, the loudest victories begin with a single voice.
