Former Kansas High School Champion Hired as GM, Head Professional at Jayhawk Tennis Facility

Oct. 21, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kyle Markham, director of the Country Club Plaza Tennis Center and owner of the Kansas City United Tennis junior tennis academy, has been named General Manager and Head Professional at the Jayhawk Tennis Facility in Lawrence. He replaces Scott Elwell, who has resigned to pursue other interests.

The Jayhawk Tennis Facility – formerly Sport to Sport – is home to the KU women’s tennis team; Kansas Athletics purchased the facility last February.

Markham, who will begin his duties October 28, won the Kansas Class 5A singles title in 2001 at Goddard High School. He played for his father John, who won several state coach-of-the-year honors as the long-time men’s and women’s coach at Goddard High. Markham graduated from the University of Iowa, where he played tennis on an athletics scholarship.

Markham will direct, plan and coordinate all phases of club operations. He will give private and group lessons, and will direct all U.S. Tennis Association-sanctioned tournaments currently held at the club, as well as non-sanctioned tournaments throughout the year. He will assist tennis programs, USTA leagues, junior interclub matches, and socials.

In addition to his duties at the Plaza and Kansas City United, Markham has served since 2009 as assistant tennis coach at Johnson County Community College.

Markham founded Kansas City United in 2008 as a high-level junior tennis academy focused on developing well-rounded student-athletes. He has overseen all business operations there, including marketing, scheduling, budgeting, billing, accounting and program growth. He directed clinics of up to 30 players at a time for players of all ages and abilities.

At the Plaza Tennis Center, Markham oversaw all business operations and maintenance of the 14-court facility, which includes a pro shop and café. He organized multiple U.S. Tennis Association-sanctioned tournaments and leagues, and supervised the teaching professionals and staff. He also worked in conjunction with the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s men’s and women’s tennis teams to provide an optimal playing environment. He has held frequent no-cost clinics for underprivileged youth throughout Kansas City.

“Kyle has an outstanding tennis background,” said Sean Lester, interim athletics director at KU. “He has played the game at a highly competitive level; he has run a tennis business and managed multiple tennis facilities, and has taught a wide range of players, from beginners to nationally ranked juniors and collegians. Perhaps most importantly he has helped create tennis club environments that all members can enjoy. We very much look forward to having Kyle join Kansas Athletics and the Lawrence community.”

“As a lifelong Jayhawk fan, working with Kansas Athletics is a dream come true,” Markham said. “The Jayhawk Tennis Facility has a strong reputation for providing high-quality instruction with superior customer service. I am very much looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Lawrence community in general and especially the tennis community. Together we can build on the club’s excellent reputation and make it even stronger.”

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