Tennis Instructors / Vaughan Athletic Center

Jim Bowers

Areas of Specialty

• Beginner to Advanced Level Junior Programs
• Beginner to Advanced Level Adult Programs
• Women’s Travel Teams

    Background

• ITA and ITF Certified Tennis Professional
• Over 16 years teaching experience
• Won 5 national championships as head men’s and women’s tennis coach at College of DuPage
• Two-time all-state player 

Teaching Style

Each player learns differently, so I prefer to teach through activity instead of lecturing.  I prefer fast paced drills that focus on proper shot selection and court positioning.  As Confucious says, ‘I hear and I forget. I do and I understand.’ My teaching style is that of less talk and more doing. 

Brian Brooks

Areas of Specialty

• Elite Programs
• Recreation Programs
• Private Lessons

Background

• USPTA Certified Tennis Professional
• Three decades teaching for Fox Valley Park District and coaching at West Aurora High School
• Illinois High School Tennis Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2004
• Wilson Advisory Staff and NITA Jr. Competition Committee
• Daughters Megan, Courtney and Shannon all played collegiate tennis at the Division I level.

Teaching Style

I give my students the most up-to-date instruction and training so they have every advantage in working to meet their goals. I love teaching and getting the most out of my students. Seeing them make progress and enjoy the game while they improve makes it very rewarding for all. 

Megan Brooks

Areas of Specialty

• Quickstart Tennis
• Junior Beginners
• Junior Developmental classes 

Background

• Over 10 years teaching experience with the Fox Valley Park District
• USTA Trained Quickstart Tennis Instructor
• Three-time all-state player at West Aurora High School
• Captained the Northern Illinois University Women’s Tennis team

Teaching Style

The most important thing is to play hard, play with heart and have fun doing it. I truly enjoy educating people on the game, because tennis can be played throughout life and if you love the sport, you will continually improve.  

Ryan Kremer

Areas of Specialty

• Beginner to Elite Level Junior Programs
• Beginner to Advanced Level Adult Programs
• Women's Travel Teams
• Private Lessons

Background

• USPTR Certified Tennis Professional
• Over 15 years teaching experience
• USTA Trained Quickstart Tennis Instructor

Teaching Style

My philosophy is to assure everyone is having fun while learning. If it’s not fun, what’s the point? I enjoy the interaction with players and the sense of accomplishment they feel when reaching each one of their goals. 

Jim Kuntzi

Areas of Specialty

• Beginner to Tournament Level Junior Programs
• Beginner to Advanced Level Adult Programs
• Women's Travel Teams
• Men's Open Drills
• Private Lessons
  Background

• USPTA Certified Tennis Professional
• Over three decades of teaching experience
• Over 17 years at Aurora Tennis Club/Vaughan Tennis Center
• USTA Trained Quickstart Tennis Instructor
• Instructed several players to IHSA state championship matches

Teaching Style

Since first picking up a racquet as a nine-year old, I have been a player, fan, teacher and promoter of the sport. There are many styles of players, and I believe each has to be equipped with the tools that best fit their physical and mental abilities. 

Raja Matthew

Areas of Specialty

• Women’s Travel Teams
• Beginner and High level junior programs
• Men's Open Drills

Background

• Versatile teaching experience with all levels of play
• Coached son (Vivek) to Top 10 National Junior Ranking

Teaching Style

I stress the fundamentals of the game and make it fun by teaching from a player’s perspective. Winning strategies are always traced back to good fundamentals. I care about the players and love to see them improve and have fun doing it. 

Jennifer McMullen

Areas of Specialty

• Women’s Travel Teams
• Junior developmental and advanced program
• Private Lessons

Background

• Over 10 years teaching experience
• Vaughan Tennis Center Professional since 2003
• Head Coach of Waubonsee Community College’s women’s tennis team

Teaching Style

Being a good tennis player requires commitment and hard work. It’s also important to have fun while learning, so I make each practice session/lesson enjoyable. It’s very rewarding to see students progress and grow, not only as players, but as people. 

Michael McWilliams

Areas of Specialty

Background

• USPTR Certified Tennis Professional
• Over 10 years teaching experience
• Tennis Director/Head Pro at Eagle Brook Country Club since 2006
• Vaughan Athletic Center Professional since 2007

Teaching Style

I teach technique and consistency to create a championship type player while creating a fun learning environment. It’s very rewarding to watch kids grow, learn and become highly ranked tennis players. 

Paul Pridmore

Areas of Specialty

• Women’s Travel Teams
• Junior Programs
• Private Lessons 

Background

• Over 10 years teaching experience
• Illinois high school state champion
• Played No. 1 singles and doubles at University of Minnesota
• Big 10 Conference singles champion
• Professional tennis player for five years

Teaching Style

I strive to provide a fun learning environment that is conducive to students’ growth and development of their tennis skills. As a former competitive player, I truly enjoy sharing my passion and love for the game with students; it’s rewarding to see them improve.

John Tsang

Areas of Specialty

• Private instruction for youth beginners through high school level

Background

• Certified USPTA and USNTA Tennis Professional
• Over 10 years of teaching experience
• Head Varsity Coach at Rosary High School; guided nine state qualifiers
• Recognized as “Who’s Who” among America’s Teachers.

Teaching Style

Build a solid foundation based on teamwork and leadership that focuses on incremental improvement each time a player steps on the court. The ultimate goal is to get better every day and develop a love for tennis. The life lessons learned through tennis strengthen a player’s character and stay with them forever.