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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Tennis Pro: Ken DeHart (left) the new director of the San Jose Swim and Racquet Club, gives serving instruction to student Kelly Low. DeHart, 54, who's been teaching tennis for the past 30 years, is ranked nationally in the top 10 among men's singles teaching professionals.
Ken DeHart enhances Swim and Racquet Club's tennis
By Kate Carter
Ken DeHart is passionate about teaching tennis. . He loves playing tennis, too. But what he really wants to do is share his enthusiasm for the game with others. And now members of the San Jose Swim and Racquet Club have the chance to learn from the master pro and his unique problem-solving approach to tennis instruction.
DeHart, 54, is the new director of tennis at the club, located at 1170 Pedro St. in Willow Glen. He has been teaching tennis for about 30 years, is a U.S. Professional Tennis Association Master Professional and a Professional Tennis Registry Master Professional, as well as a member of the Wilson tennis gear advisory staff.
"I'm very conscious of how people think and feel; my job is to fit what they need," DeHart says. "I'm very creative and free-flowing."
DeHart wasn't always a tennis pro, however. As a youth he played basketball and ran cross-country and didn't start playing tennis until he was a freshman in college. DeHart used his experience with other sports to help him learn the skills and strategy involved in tennis, and by his senior year he was his team's captain and most valuable player.
DeHart began coaching tennis right after graduating from college and applies the techniques he used to learn tennis to his instruction. He says all sports use "only three skills--you run, catch or throw. The groundstroke [in tennis] is just a throw; we're just using a racquet in this case to throw the ball over the net. In a volley, it's a catch. It's all the same."
DeHart, who has numerous instructional awards, achievements and titles, says he approaches his students, some loyal followers, by watching their performance and listening to their responses to his teaching. He then can tailor his coaching to meet each individual's unique needs.
"Communication is key," he says. "I try to use words that make sense. I'm an artist; my job is to paint pictures in people's heads."
He also says that allowing his students time to process what they are learning, demonstrate their abilities and use their skills in competition improves their memory and aids in practice. He also drafts and distributes tips for his students that they can refer to when not in a lesson.
"A professional must be a mentor, business manager, publicist, sports promoter and master communicator," he writes on one of his tip cards.
DeHart himself is always searching out new tennis techniques and ways of instruction, attending and participating in seminars on coaching, sports psychology and program management. As he developed as a coach, he says, he would identify areas in which he was less skilled and focus on improving those areas systematically, moving from techniques to strategies to drills to mental training for competition.
DeHart specializes in instructing groups of eight to 15 students at a time, he says, and likes to coach people at all ages and skill levels.
"I've always taught at all different levels, because each one helps you grow as a teacher," he says.
Instructing also helps DeHart grow as a competitor by solidifying his skills. He trains himself, competes on the national circuit of tennis instructors and is ranked fourth in the nation in men's doubles and in the top 10 in the nation in men's singles.
DeHart worked as the tennis director of a swim and racquet club in Tennessee, then as executive director of the U.S. Professional Tennis Registry, then as the director of tennis at clubs in Phoenix, Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Los Gatos and Mission Hills, before starting at Willow Glen last month.
"Part of my goal is to come in and do more social events for the members," DeHart says. "I like to turn programs around."
He says the program in San Jose isn't troubled but could stand an infusion of new energy and programs to attract more people to tennis. DeHart talks with potential students to find out what their skills and needs are and then assigns them to either himself or the club's two other tennis instructors, based on those needs. The instructors are available for private or group lessons and also offer regular drop-in clinics that people can pay for as they go.
"You need to buy people's time and appeal to all different levels," he says. "We'll make sure we accommodate people."
In addition, DeHart wants to hold a monthly tennis social to introduce novices to the game. The monthly events consist of an exhibition match with DeHart commentating and a free tennis clinic. The next event is March 17 from noon to 2:30 p.m.; interested participants must call the club, at 408.297.0067, to sign up.
In addition, a good tennis director provides players with people to play with, DeHart says. The number one reason people quit tennis is not having people to play with, he says.
Club director Carolyn Lund says DeHart, who replaced former tennis director Aby Ryan, "had the enthusiasm and experience and showed how dedicated he was to this type of membership--it's a family club. He's just going to enhance the whole club, not just the tennis program."
DeHart says he plans to stay at Willow Glen "forever" as it is near to the Cambrian home he shares with his wife, Karen, and their 20-month-old son Kameron. He also spends time working at his father-in-law's San Jose tax firm during tax season.
DeHart says he is grateful that he can do what he loves every day.
"I really have a passion for what I do," he says. "I enjoy watching other people learn."
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
