I am standing between Rod Laver and Pam Shriver. 

     I grew up in San Pedro, CA.  When I was 8 years old, learning tennis, I would always help the other kids.  My parents told me that I would be a teacher some day.  The tennis courts I learned at were turned into townhomes.  The only other courts in the area were at a public park.  This park was the hang out for several gangs so my parents would not let me go there.  I stopped playing until I was 14 years old.  I decided to take a chance and play at the park.  Fortuneately, some of the gang memebers enjoyed watching us play so they left us alone.  I entered my first tournament when I was 15 years old and won it.  This is when I thought that I better get serious about the sport.  I was ranked near the top 10 every year in Junior tennis.  I attended Cal State University Dominguez Hills home of the Home Depot center and USTA National Tennis Center.  My first year our team was #3 in the US in the NAIA.  Those who have played NAIA know that many schools in the NAIA had at least 2 players that were at the pro level.  I remember that a school at the nationals had two players that were Swedish Davis Cup.  The NAIA rules weren't as strict as NCAA.  My senior year I was ranked #1 in the NAIA District III

     After college I sold everything I owned and flew over to Europe to play some Satellite tournaments.  Today they are called Futures.  After 3 months I ran out of money.  One of the European club owners asked if I could help with a tennis camp for a week.  I told them I would.  One week turned into the entire summer.  I fell in love with coaching.  When I returned to the US (1982) I got a job as Head Tennis Professional at the Oakridge Country Club in Oakridge, TN.  I was teaching some of the (Scientists)  people that built the atomic bomb.  I wanted to return to CA so in 1983 I worked as the Head Tennis Professional for the Snowcreek Athletic Club in Mammoth Lakes, CA.  I spent 3 years teaching tennis and skiing.  In 1986 I heard of an opportunity at the Laguna Niguel Racquet in beautiful Laguna Niguel, CA.  I have now been at the Laguna Niguel Racquet Club for 22 years.  I enjoy working with Nationally ranked players as well as beginners.