Tennis Pro and University of Northern Colorado (UNC) alum Todd Edwards will partner with Greeley Recreation to relaunch their youth and adult tennis programs this spring. With over 24 years of experience working with all ages and skill levels, he’s back in Colorado with his wife Rachelle, and daughter Mia, living out his passion for coaching the game.
A native of Sterling, Todd won five conference championships with UNC. He played and competed on the Futures Tour, ranked 35th in the open level, and worked with some of the best players and coaches in the country: Larry Stefanki, Horacio Matta, and Fernando Gonzalez, to name a few. His experience speaks for itself, having been the head tennis professional and junior director for one of the top tennis clubs in Palo Alto, California; GM and Director of Tennis at Broadway Tennis Center in San Francisco; and the founder of Serve It Up, LLC, he brings a wealth of knowledge to Greeley’s recreational tennis program.
Whitney Dyer, Greeley Recreation’s Sports and Programs Supervisor, caught up with him to ask a few questions about his career and motivation to work with the City of Greeley.
Question: How did you get into Tennis?
Response: “I watched a tennis match on television when I was 8 years old and thought it very interesting. I found a racquetball racquet and ball in my Grandma’s basement and started hitting against the wall. I found it very difficult and wanted to try and get better. I begged my mother for a tennis racquet for my birthday and found some friends who wanted to play as well. I entered my first tennis tournament when I was 9 and won the tournament, and then I was hooked for life.”
Question: What was the best part of your college or pro tennis career?
Response: “I would say the friendships I have accumulated throughout all my years being involved with the sport. Tennis has taken me to places and opened the door to so many different opportunities. I feel the game of tennis has given back to me more than I would have ever imagined.”
Question: What is your favorite part of the sport?
Response: “I love to compete and use my mind to figure out how to beat my opponent.”
Question: Why are you partnering with the City of Greeley recreation?
Response: “I feel like tennis should be for anyone that wants to learn how to play, and the City of Greeley is the best place to start.”
Question: What do you hope the community will get out of your clinics?
Response: “When I went to UNC, Greeley had a really great tennis culture, and in some ways, I feel like it has been lost. I really want to give back to the community what the community gave to me. Tennis is a great sport, and the City of Greeley needs tennis coaches to help provide opportunities for youth and adults to play this beautiful game.”
Greeley Recreation will host several tennis clinics for youth and adults beginning in April. Sessions will last 4 to 6 weeks for all ages and skill levels. Registration opens on January 31.
Article Date:
January 7, 2022