Bradwell Institute tennis coach Ken Scharnagl was chosen to be a USTA Tennis Champion, a new program within the United States Tennis Association. Tennis Champions advocate for (aka “champion” for) tennis to increase in communities where significant growth of the sport is available and needed.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to increase the visibility of tennis in Liberty County,” Scharnagl said. “And I am one of just 500 Tennis Champions in the country.”
Scharnagl said he played tennis in high school in New Jersey and never lost the joy of tennis and the “fever” to play.
“I can only watch tennis on TV for so long, and then I have to go to the tennis courts myself,” he said.
Scharnagl has been the head tennis coach for the Tigers for the past 10 years and is a Professional Training Registered (PTR) Tennis Instructor.
Scharnagl said he continues to increase his professional development in tennis coaching and instruction.
“This summer, I coached a USTA JTT 18u intermediate team Hinesville United for its third season,” he said. “Junior Team Tennis (JTT) is competitive travel tennis for children in various age brackets and skill levels, competing in both Winter and Summer seasons. I also had the wonderful opportunity to teach tennis for our LCRD (Liberty County Recreation Department) summer program.”
The coach said approximately 40 children in the ages of 8-16 now have at least a beginning knowledge of tennis. Scharnagl also partnered with another PTR professional to run a four-day, 10-hour tennis camp that was held the week of July 19.
“Tennis is a life-long sport that can be played at a recreational level through a competitive level,” he said. “It is excellent exercise, loads of fun, socially enjoyable, and is one of the most COVID-safe sports according to several studies.”
Beginning Tuesday, August 10th, Scharnagl will be hosting Tennis Tuesdays at Bradwell Institute tennis courts during the tennis off-season Fall Semester. It will be open-to-the-public.
After school, the tennis courts will be open first to students of the Liberty County School System (LCSS) from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.
To attend, students must have a fully completed sports physical on file through our Dragonflymax program (https://www.dragonflymax.com) and should be verified with the coach at least three days prior to first attendance to expedite approval.
Prompt parent pick-up is expected. The coach said he will be on the tennis courts the entire time to provide safety/oversight as well as some tennis guidance and assistance. Then, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. the courts will be open to adults and the general public, for tennis. The coach said he will remain on-site and will lock the courts at 7:30 p.m.
“Again, I am so excited to be a Tennis Champion to serve Liberty County and neighboring Long County too, if anyone is interested,” the coach said.