Charles is a regional legend for his stellar youth coaching career and his tireless advocacy for
creating opportunities for black young people.
Since retiring in 2008 from his marketing management position with Kentucky State Government, he has spent countless hours on the tennis court. He goes both wide and deep. Working with the Louisville Area 10 and Under Tennis Association and the Newburg Tennis Association he has introduced 5000+ black youth to the game teaching summer clinics where he emphasizes sportsmanship as much as skills. Simultaneously, as tennis director for Rising Stars of Kentucky and the Ballard High School tennis team, he has developed 400+ competitive tennis players while advocating academics and sportsmanship. Advocacy is as vital as coaching. By leveraging his talents and professional connections, he ensures that the Newburg Tennis Association receives its fair share of public support. His advocacy directly
funds this CTA, which serves a predominantly Black community and operates the largest summer tennis camp in the state. Black student participation in Kentucky state tournaments has never exceeded 1%, but he actively lobbies for programming that expands opportunities for a more diverse population of players. In recognition of these efforts, he received USTA Southern’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award in 2022. Charles’ impact is not merely measured by achievements and statistics but by the lives he has touched. His coaching philosophy emphasizes not only skill development but also the importance of mentorship, sportsmanship, and community engagement.
Most of us dream of retirement as more time on the tennis court playing the game we love. Yes, in retirement Charles spends much more time on the tennis court but not playing. He uses tennis: to Create Opportunities for the Next Generations. His impact is seen in many organizations and outreach.
Rising Stars of Kentucky Tennis
For over 18 years, on a volunteer basis Charles and Bruce Stone, a member of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, have led the local National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter, Rising Stars of Kentucky Tennis (RSKT). RSKT is an organization that provides year-round tennis opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged youth. Each year approximately 30 youth are selected to participate in
the program.
Rising Stars benefit from Charles’ influence in the following areas.
• Develop Communication Skills: Yes, PR people excel at communication, and Charles, who has a college degree in Public Relations and an outstanding career in marketing and
communications for Kentucky State Government shares his interests and skills. 16 Rising Stars have been junior winners of the national Arthur Ashe Essay Contest with both National USTA and Southern Sectional winners.
• Have a Career: Charles is continually preaching to the Rising Stars – have a career. Though the exact data is not available, it is estimated that 95% of the Rising Stars have either gone on to higher education or into military service.
• Learn to Lead: Charles, who is PTR Certified, teaches summer and afterschool programs for
the Louisville 10 and Under Tennis Association (LOU10U) providing free tennis programming
at community centers, public parks, churches and boys and girls clubs. He convinced LOU10U to hire Rising Stars as assistant coaches. They were so successful, 9 have achieved PTR 10U certification.
Newburg Tennis Association
While Charles has been involved in many capacities of Newburg Tennis Association leadership, he has the greatest impact during Newburg’s annual summer tennis camp where “no one is turned away.” A modest fee of $25 is charged, but no one is turned away. Many participants would otherwise never be introduced to tennis. Charles is the key promoter, using his contacts to ensure the clinics receive free publicity. The camp has 150+ participants each year-by far the largest attended tennis camp in Kentucky. At the onset of the clinic, Charles focuses on working with the 50+ youth in the 10U group. He is assisted by the Rising Stars PTR 10U certified coaches.
Ballard High School Tennis Coach – 2022 Kentucky High School Boys Coach of the Year
Since 2008, Charles has coached the Ballard High School boys’ tennis team. Yes, he has turned out good players, but he will be the first to tell you it is a stacked deck. The percent of African Americans participating in the Kentucky High School state tournament has never exceeded 1%. Charles uses his coaching position as a platform to lobby intensely for high school program alignments that will create more opportunities for more diverse populations of players to be able to compete at the state level. Without these considerations, the same large single sex private schools continue to dominate play.
Volunteer
• Board Member and Tennis Director, Rising Stars of Kentucky, a USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter
• Board Member, Newburg Tennis Association
• Summer Clinics Manager, Newburg Tennis Association Summer Tennis Camps
• Board Member, Louisville 10 and Under Tennis Association
• Board Member USTA Kentucky
• Committee Member, USTA Southern JTT and Diversity Committees, USTA Kentucky Diversity & Inclusion, Nominating and Marketing Committees
• Working with Mid-Tac to establish the Juneteenth Tennis Invitational in 2021 evolving into an annual event in Louisville, KY
League Player
In the realm of adult tennis (age 19-49), Charles achieved a notable rating of 4.5 for USTA League play. He also
represented Lexington in ATA events, showcasing his skills and commitment to the sport.
Tournament Player
Played in local Louisville tournaments such as the Arthur Lloyd Johnson Tournament and the Bruce Stone Classic both supporting the Black community.
Tennis Professional
• PTR Certified Pro since 2001
Tennis Teacher and/or Coach
• Rising Stars Nationally Recognized NJTL
o Rising Stars provides tennis opportunities to minority, single-parented, and at-risk youth.
o Tennis Director 18 years
o 18 Rising Stars have been junior winners of the national Arthur Ashe Essay Contest
o Rising Stars have a 100% high school graduation rate
o 95% of Rising Stars go on to college or military service
o Many Rising Stars play on USTA JTT Teams, in USTA and ATA events, on their high school tennis
teams
• Newburg Tennis Association
o Summer Clinics Manager 18+ years
o Organizes and promotes the largest clinic in Kentucky which has 150+ youth and adult
participants each year
o Manages and teaches the Junior Clinics which serves 100+ youth annually
• Ballard High School
o Boys Team Coach since 2008
o Girls Team Coach 2008-2009 & since 2020
o 2022 Kentucky Boys High School Coach of the Year
• Louisville Area 10 and Under Tennis Association
o In 10+ years as a coach has spent 950+ hours on the court teaching tennis primarily to youth
living in Louisville’s West End. Personally reaching 5000+ youth a minimum of 4 times each
• College Players including, but not limited to:
o Bryan Bello – USTAKY 2021 Pro of the Year
o Adrian Bello – played at Lindsey Wilson
o Christine Crawford – Played for Berea College
o Angelia Herrera – Playing for Midway University
o TJ Richardson – Playing for Tiffin University
o Deahna Welcher: played for Lipscomb, won Indiana High School State Doubles with sister
Tiffany
o Tiffany Welcher: played for Alabama and Memphis, Teaching Pro
o Robyn White: played for University of Louisville, Teaching Pro
Director of tennis related organization (club, CTA, NJTL, etc)
• Tennis Director, Rising Stars of Kentucky, a USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter
• Board, Newburg Tennis Association
• Summer Clinics Manager, Newburg Tennis Association Summer Tennis Camps
• Board Member, Louisville 10 and Under Tennis Association
• Board Member USTA Kentucky
Other
• Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame, Inducted 2023
• USTA Awards
o USTAKY 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Champion
o USTA Southern 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Champion
“The Measure of the Man Charles Crawford’s impact cannot be measured by simply counting how many: how many years, how many programs, how many players. Some Hall of Fame recipients are nominated based on accomplishments and results. And there are some that are nominated based on contributions and impact to the community. Charles Crawford embodied both of these areas.”
Jack Barton, H-F Racquet and Fitness Club, Racquet Sports Manager
Retired Head Coach Men and Women’s Tennis Teams, Chicago State University
“His passion for coaching and meeting the kids is like no other. Crawford is a child advocate not only for the game but for life. … He has no problem working extra of staying over to help a kid work on something ---He is very inspirational and informative…. I have known him to pop up at schools to check on kids….I’m sure I can speak for parents whose kids have come in contact with Crawford on and off the court when I say, he has put in the sweat, the blood, the miles on his vehicle, and hours needed to be inducted into this prestigious class the Black Tennis Hall of Fame.”
Mrs. Tracie Richardson, Parent of TJ and Victoria Richardson
“In 2022, Coach Charles was selected by his peers as the KYHSTCA Coach of the Year. This award is the highest honor that one can receive as a high school tennis coach in Kentucky. Out of 16 coaches nominated, his fellow coaches voted him as the recipient. No one more deserving than Charles, he is passionate about sharing his love for tennis and giving support to the kids he coaches to be great citizens of the world.”
Tim Dethridge, President of the HS Coaches Association
“Charles develops excellent talent and strives to ensure that his players are positive role models in and out of the classroom. He continually emphasizes the importance of good sportsmanship and the value of education.
Charles is retired and doesn't have to coach our teams, he elects to do so because of his passion for the game, and the Ballard community is very fortunate that he does.”
Jason Neuss, Ed.D., Principal, Ballard High School
“Several years ago Charles Crawford and I were coaching opposing 10 and Under teams. Charles’ kids quickly won…. I left realizing how important it is to have sportsmanship, but skill, tennis strategy, plus guidance, play a huge role in coaching. Charles taught me that afternoon to teach better. He taught me to keep kindness but to increase my expectations. He taught me, how to coach.”
Kathy Kunau Miller, Past President, Louisville Area 10 and Under Tennis Association
“This individual (Charles Crawford) was named the Kentucky High School Tennis Coach of the Year for his tireless commitment as coach to the Ballard High School Tennis Team. For years he has given his time and resources to be not only a coach, but a mentor to his students.”
Judge Joan (Toni) Stringer (Ret)
“Coach Crawford is our most enthusiastic, love to teach, hard-working coach we know and love.”
Denise Murphy, President, Newburg Tennis Association
“I have never met a person with so much passion to teach the game of tennis……He is not only a coach but a great leader, mentor and friend to his students. The students who attend his programs return year after year to
be with Coach Crawford. …..He continues to challenge his students while allowing them to have fun learning.”
Vanessa Makle, Parent, player, and member of the Newburg Tennis Association
“I am very grateful to Coach Crawford, as his influence and mentorship within the Rising Stars NJTL program have crafted me into the man I am today. The discipline he instilled in me allowed me to compete as a Division I athlete, and that same drive for excellence continues to guide me now as a PhD student. Through the Friday nights and the many tournaments, he has been there for me every step of the way.”
Ezekiel Salama, Rising Star
“Charles made a big impact on my life….. He helped me develop as a better player and a better person. He is one of my mentors. Eight years after high school, I still keep in contact with him.
Bryan Bello, 2021 Kentucky Tennis Professional of the Year
No comments
Post a Comment