VanPelt Hired as Head Professional at Jayhawk Tennis Center
June 6, 2011
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Vance VanPelt, director of tennis at Top Gun Tennis Academy and the boy’s and girl’s tennis coach at Hutchinson High School, has been named Head Professional at the Jayhawk Tennis Center in Lawrence.
The Jayhawk Tennis Center (JTC)–formerly Sport 2 Sport–is home to the KU women’s tennis team; Kansas Athletics purchased the facility in February 2010.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Kyle Markham and the staff at the Jayhawk Tennis Center,” VanPelt said. “The opportunity to work with Kansas Athletics and growing tennis in the Lawrence area is a dream come true.”
At Top Gun Tennis Academy, VanPelt directed and taught over 150 students and adults, coaching players to 10 state titles as well as the National Player of the Year. During his tenure, VanPelt also created the Top Gun vs. Ozark Tennis Academy battle, an intra-academy event.
In addition to his duties at Top Gun Tennis Academy, VanPelt taught High School English at Hutchinson High School while serving as the boy’s and girl’s head tennis coach. VanPelt has received numerous coaching accolades, including: 2009 Kansas Coaches Association Overall Coach of the Year, 2010 USPTA National Coach of the Year and 2010 Missouri Valley Coach of the Year. The 2010 Hutchinson boy’s team won the state title. He is also the current Kansas Coaches Association Chairman. For the last two years, VanPelt volunteered as the Director of State Games for Kansas Special Olympic Tennis.
From 2000-2008, VanPelt served as the Junior Tennis Director at Prairie Dunes Country Club (Hutchinson, Kan.) where he was responsible for the winter junior tennis program.
VanPelt was a three-time All-Conference First Team selection and three-time NAIA National qualifier at Bethel College. He went on to be the men’s and women’s head tennis coach at his alma mater from 1998-1999, when his team was undefeated, KCAC champions and had a top-25 national ranking.
“Vance has a tremendous passion for teaching and growing the game of tennis,” Kyle Markham, Jayhawk Tennis Center General Manager, said. “He has been involved with the Special Olympics, coached state championship high school teams, and provided both junior and adult tennis instruction at his academy. We are very excited to welcome Vance, his wife Sommer and their three kids to JTC and the Lawrence community.”
