THE ASSOCIATION

(click for history)

  • PAST PRESIDENTS -
  • 2005-07 TOM LEYRER, Jenison
  • 2003-05 JERRY MURPHY, Rochester
  • 2001-03 JOHN SHADE, Grosse Ile
  • 1999-2001 TIM COLEMAN, Woodhaven
  • 1997-99 KAREN PAGE, Holland West Ottawa
  • 1995-97 GARY ELLIS, Allegan
  • 1993-95 ELLIOT PEARCE, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
  • 1991-93 ED WAITS, Southfield Lathrup
  • 1989-91 JIM CUMMINS, Battle Creek Central
  • 1987-89 STAN NOLAND, Monroe
  • 1985-87 CHARLES BASSETT, Spring Lake
  • 1983-85 TIGER TEUSINK, Holland
  • 1981-83 HAROLD HOLCOMB, Essexville-Garber
  • 1979-81 BOB QUINN, Saginaw Hertiage
  • 1977-79 CHARLIE PARTIN, East Grand Rapids

  • DISTRICTS/COMMITTEES

    District # 1: Rules
    Director: Glenn Corey, Dakota
    Assistants:
    Keith Bernacki, Birmingham Seaholm
    Brennan Brown, Holly

    Jan Esper, Bloomfield Hills Lahser
    Bill McDaniel, Holly
    Jerry Murphy, Rochester
    Mark Sobieralski, Grosse Pointe South

    Chuck Wright, Grosse Pointe University Liggett

    District # 2: Membership & All State Academic
    Director: Jan Gottlin, Riverview
    Assistants:
    Gordon Boettcher, Ann Arbor Huron
    Tim Coleman, Woodhaven
    Eric Gajar, Ann Arbor Greenhills

    J.R. Muniz, Riverview Gabriel Richard

    Vince Preuthun, Trenton
    Tom Pullen, Ann Arbor Pioneer
    Bill Riggs, Allen Park
    John Shade, Grosse Ile
    District # 3: Coach of the Year & All State
    Director: Hal Stofer, Three Rivers
    Assistants:
    Steve Bender, Buchanan
    Jim Cummins, Battle Creek Central
    Gary Ellis, Allegan
    Pat Hoffmann, St. Joseph

    Mike McGinnis, Battle Creek Lakeview
    Pam Porter, Stevensville Lakeshore

    District # 4: Distinguished Service Award & Assistant Coach of the Year
    Director: Bryan Polston, Okemos
    Assistants:
    Ron Landfair, Lansing Catholic Central
    Matt McQuillan, Jackson
    Jim Niebling, Portland

    District # 5: Ethics & Sportsmanship
    Director: Kevin Polston, Grand Haven
    Assistants:
    Charlie Bassett, Spring Lake

    Scott Zerlaut, Grant

    District # 6: Historian & Hall of Fame
    Director: Jeff Newingham, Essexville Garber
    Assistants:
    Harold Holcomb, Essexville Garber

    Mike Major, Midland Dow & Bay City All Saints
    Bob Quinn, Saginaw, Heritage
    District # 7: Manager's & Coach's Manual
    Director: Don Wisswell, Mt. Clemens
    Assistants:

    Mark Dubiel, Romeo

    Mike Finton, Almont
    Dave Fredette, Armada
    Larry Harte, Warren Mott
    Chris Layson, Shelby Township Utica Eisenhower

    Dean Sousanis, Almont
    District # 8: Grievance & Appeal
    Director: Denny Green, Harbor Springs
    Assistant:
    Larry Nykerk, Traverse City Central
    District # 9: UP Relations
    Director: Rich Trombly, Gladstone

     

    History of Our Association

    In 1976 Bob Wood realized that there was a definite need for an organization through which coaches could improve their coaching and quality of their teams. He first set out by sending 400 letters to all schools with tennis programs in the state and received in return a substantial number of positive responses for establishing an association of tennis coaches. He then contacted Warren McKenzie, assistant director of the MHSAA in charge of tennis, to map out the state into five districts. Subsequently, he appointed Charles Partin of East Grand Rapids as president, Bob Quinn of Saginaw MacArthur as first vice-president, Sandy Peterson of Portage Northern as second vice-president, and personally assumed the role of secretary/treasurer. District committees were formed, directors and assistant directors were named, and the organization was formally founded in 1976. Its first summer meetings were held at Houghton Lake in July, 1977.

    With the group now established, Wood began to organize the first of many highly successful coaches clinics in February, 1977, at East Detroit. Brian Eisner, mens varsity coach at the University of Michigan, and the late Ian Laver, a teaching pro from Delray Beach, Florida, were featured as the main speakers at Eastpointe, which attracted 126 coaches that first year. Bob was encouraged by the positive comments and words of appreciation for his mighty efforts. With this initial thrust into the clinic business, Bob Wood with the assistance of Gary Bodenmiller of the Grosse Pointe Indoor Tennis Club has since developed innovative ideas which have made our Michigan Workshop one of the very best clinics in the entire nation.

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