Larry Lewis & Lewis Tennis School

Larry Lewis' 39 years of experience in the tennis industry include management of five of the top tennis facilities in the United States.  In 2007 Lewis was awarded Facility Manager of Year by the USPTA Intermountain Division. The Professional 1 member of USPTA has hired and managed teaching professionals, maintenance and pro-shop personnel at these leading facilities. Various programs have included a citywide, computerized challenge ladder, presentations on mental conditioning and sports medicine, interclub leagues, free instruction for Special Olympians, Play Tennis America programs and the USTA schools program.  He has had the privilege of directing clinics with such tennis greats as Rod Laver, Stan Smith, and Gene Mayer. Three of the facilities Lewis has directed have been honored by the USTA for being among the top public facilities in the country. Pelican Bay Community Park and Cambier Park in Naples, Florida received the awards in the 1990's and Rolland Moore Racquet Center received the award in 2002.
Lewis' teaching career has included working with players from 4 to 85 years young. In 1986, he was commissioned by the Chinese Tennis Association to direct a series of workshops in the People's Republic of China for China's top coaches, Davis Cup players and junior players. In 1993, he developed what he calls the "Rainbow Tennis" program to enhance the interest of young players. This program is goal-oriented and encourages juniors to improve their skills so they can reach the next level of the rainbow. The program has been instrumental in increasing local junior tennis interest. In addition, Lewis has produced a video, "Simple Guide To Teaching Beginning Tennis" to demonstrate to parents and physical-education teachers how to simply teach the basics of the game to youngsters. Growing up in Colorado, Lewis achieved junior state rankings and attended Colorado State University on a tennis scholarship. In 1986 he was ranked number 22 in the open division and number 4 in the 35 year old division by the United States Professional Tennis Association. "The game of tennis," Lewis said, "is much more than how you stroke the ball. The benefits that a player gains in learning how to deal with the stress of competing, and the etiquette of proper sportsmanship and relating to an opponent or partner, are what make tennis the great activity that it is." In keeping with this philosophy, Lewis has taught numerous mental-conditioning camps and has written mental-conditioning articles for two newspapers. These camps and articles teach the player how to incorporate Life Skills such as goal-setting, relaxation, visualization and anger control, not only into their game, but also in other areas of life. Lewis has also taught camps using Bible scripture to enhance life skill concepts.
Lewis Tennis School is the official concessionaire for the City of Fort Collins responsible for court reservations and programming at the city's public tennis courts.