WHO is a tennis maverick?
Tennis Mavericks are visionaries who want to achieve what's never been achieved before. We are not fans of the status quo and will definitely shake things up. Tennis Mavericks are innovative, influential, daring, and direct—with a remarkably high tolerance for taking chances.
But most of all we bet on ourselves. #betonyourself
Are you a Tennis Maverick?
But most of all we bet on ourselves. #betonyourself
Are you a Tennis Maverick?
meet the founders, patrick kearns and kyle lacroix
PATRICK KEARNS
Patrick Kearns began his tennis career by attending the Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, from which he graduated in the fall of 1989. Patrick was in the first PTM class at Ferris State University in 1986. Patrick spent the first two years of his career working at the John's Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, before spending five years at the Round Hill Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, and then two years at the Country Club of Darien. In 1995 he became the Head Tennis Professional at Farmington Country Club. Since arriving in Virginia, Patrick has been awarded the USPTA Virginia Professional of the Year in 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2010 was the winner of the USPTA Mid Atlantic Professional of the Year in 2000 and 2008. In 2009 Farmington Country Club was named the USTA Virginia Club of the Year. In March of 2012, Patrick and his wife Patti purchased 4 Star Tennis Camps at the University of Virginia. The camp has three components: Academics, Tennis, and Golf. Each summer kids arrive from all over the world to participate in the camp. In June of 2012, Patrick opened the Charlottesville Tennis Shop, a full service pro shop that serves the local community and the University of Virginia Men's and Women's tennis teams. Patrick currently handles all of the stringing for the Men's and Women's UVA tennis teams, which include 30 players and coaches. Each team plays in over 30 matches and tournaments though out the season, in addition to individual tournaments for the players. Patrick has also had the opportunity to run the stringing rooms for numerous professional tournaments and the NCAA National Indoor Tennis Championships. Patrick has over 35 years of experience ensuring tennis equipment is customized to fit every level of player, and he has strung thousands of rackets for players of all levels, from beginners all the way to tour professionals. In January of 2013, Patrick became the Executive Director of the USPTA Mid Atlantic Section. As the Executive Director, he oversees the day to day operations of the section and handles all of the events associated with the organization. Patrick has had the opportunity to speak at numerous conventions and regional tennis conferences in all facets of the tennis industry. He has served on many tennis committees and boards helping promote grassroots tennis. In 2008 he was featured in Club and Resort Business Magazine. Patrick has been a member of the USPTA since 1989. Patrick currently resides in Charlottesville with his wife, Patti, and his two daughters, Lauren and Hannah. |
KYLE LACROIX
Growing up in the tennis rich environment of South Florida, Kyle LaCroix knew his career path from an early age. It was his dream to be involved in tennis. This passion led him to the innovative Professional Tennis Management Program at Ferris State University. Graduates of this unique program earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing with a specialization in Tennis Coaching and Administration. After graduating from Ferris State, Kyle enrolled in the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Business and received his MBA. In 2004, Kyle was hired as a teaching professional of a new club called The Oaks at Boca Raton. Kyle and the club staff were an integral part of changing the tennis landscape in South Florida. The Oaks at Boca Raton gained a reputation as the premier tennis club in the area. The club excels in player development, has quality staff and programming (variety of clinics) and utilizes technology to benefit its members. In the fall of 2018, Kyle decided to go back to school and was accepted to Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education where he earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Kyle is the Chief Education Officer of SETS Consulting. A niche tennis consulting firm that specializes in coach development and educational growth. SETS Consulting helps federations, elite coaches and players maximize their talents as well as build and strengthen on their current skill set while introducing new concepts that improve them as players and people. Kyle has also been named to numerous national committees, including a 2-year term to serve on the USPTA National College Curriculum Committee for 2014-2016. In early 2014, he was also named to the USPTA Florida Division “Under 30” Initiative executive Committee and in 2017 he was elected to serve on the USPTA National Membership Committee and in 2019 was selected to serve on the USPTA National Education Committee and the USPTA National Social Media Committee. He was named the 2014 USPTA National Tester of The Year, as well as a three time Florida State Tester of The Year and a three time Florida District Professional Of The Year. Prior to his work at the Oaks at Boca Raton, Kyle worked at Saddlebrook Resort. He was a player development manager for the high-performance academy and coached in the adult program. He previously worked as a tennis professional at the prestigious Philadelphia Cricket Club where he organized camps, practices and all player/member services. Kyle has experience working with players and coaches at each level of their careers and at every stage of their professional and personal development. He is recognized throughout the industry as a reliable, hardworking, genuine presence. Kyle utilizes great people skills and is an exceptional communicator. He understands the important roles and responsibilities that federations, coaches and players carry with them on a daily basis. Kyle is also a prolific writer. He’s been published in USPTA Addvantage Magazine, Baselines USPTA Florida Division Magazine, the tennis blog LoveSetMatch.net, TennisTribe Online Magazine and currently writes for the world’s leading tennis instructional website Tennisplayer.net. |