Mark C.

I have played tennis for the past twenty years and coached for the past five. I love people, and I love tennis. I'm passionate about the growth of this sport, not only for myself but also for others. I want to teach the person who has always wanted to learn how to play and the intermediate player who wants to become an advanced player. I played High School Varsity Division 1 tennis in Michigan. My team and I never lost a single conference and regional match. We went to State Finals every year and placed second one of the years.

I never played college tennis due to an injury my senior year in high school. I went into the Air Force instead. Little did I know I would continue playing tennis, volunteering my time teaching fellow service members the great game of tennis. I left the Air Force after 8 years and pursued my education, getting my bachelor's degree in finance and marketing. While getting my M.B.A. I taught private and semi-private lessons and later became a tennis/pickleball pro instructor at MVP, a known gym in West Michigan. I run a business with my wife called Fresh Swell Creative, where I do commercial photography, and she does graphic design. I may have many roles in life, such as husband, business owner, and tennis/pickleball coach, but it is the father I am most proud of. My wife, Rachel, and I have a daughter named Nora, who is a little over a year old. I dream of being like King Richard and having Nora become as great as Serena or Venus Williams. I am just kidding. I am not that intense of a coach, so do not worry. I am too laid back to be that serious about a game that should bring joy to whoever plays it, and that is what I will bring to my students.

I specialize in all shots and connecting them back to the student by knowing their level and ability to hit them. I structure my lessons based on the students and their abilities. My structure varies from beginner to advanced student. And my coaching philosophy/style might change a little based on the player and their ability.