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2009 Class A Boys’ Coach of the Year:
Jonas Grossman, Benson-KMS
I've been the head
boys tennis coach at Benson-KMS since 2007. The year before that, I
was the assistant. During my tenure, I've coached in 2 section
finals, and won the section championship in 2009, when we placed
fourth in state. I've also had two doubles teams qualify for the
state tournament.
I played high
school tennis in Benson, and had the opportunity to go to the state
tournament in 1995. My coach was Jane Kjos, two-time state coach of
the year. Jane worked tirelessly to promote tennis in Benson, and
built the program into what it is today.
During the spring,
we run a Ralleyball program for kids in grades 3-6. In the summer
months, I run camps for grades 1-7. For our older kids, we
participate in USTA, where we either practice or play an area team
twice a week. We've also been fortunate to have former Benson and
Gustavus Adolphus tennis standout and current tennis pro Jon Koenigs
come back to Benson to instruct tennis camps. Jon Carlson, head
coach women's coach at Gustavus Adolphus, will also be coming back
again this year to put on another one of his tremendous camps.
Outside of tennis,
I teach special education at Benson High School. I also coach 9th
grade boys basketball, and will be coaching head girls tennis this
fall for one season while the current coach, Don Brehmer, is serving
our country in the Middle East. I live in Benson and am single.
Benson is my hometown and my dad still lives here as well.
I want to thank my peers for the honor of
receiving this award. I think it is a reflection on my players more
than anything, so I really need to thank them. They made my job
very easy this year. It has been a privilege to coach them. I also
want to thank all of my past coaches, and current area coaches who
have given me many ideas for practices and summer tennis. There are
many coaches out there that are much more deserving of this award,
but it is still a great honor to have received it. |
2009 Class AA Boys’ Coach of the Year:
Mike Remington, Eagan
Mike began
teaching and coaching at Eagan High School when the school opened in
1990. There he started both the boys and girls tennis programs.
Prior to that he coached both boys and girls tennis at Rosemount
High School from 1979-1990. He has also coached boy’s soccer at
Eagan for 3 seasons.
Mike served at
President of the Minnesota State Tennis Coaches Association from
1997-1999. Over his thirty year coaching career Mikes’ teams have
won 7 conference titles; 2 Missota Championships in girls and 5 Lake
Conference titles in boys. The boy’s teams have claimed 4 titles in
each of the last 4 seasons. The boy’s have also been to the section
finals 4 times, twice in 1AA (’03, ’06) and twice in 3AA(’08, ’09).
The two 3AA appearances resulted in section titles and state
tournament berths. A 4th place and Consolation
Championship were earned in the last two years respectively.
Individually under his direction Rosemount and Eagan have sent 17
people to the state tournament in singles and doubles.
When not coaching
Mike teaches math at Eagan High School. He also is an adjunct
professor for St. Mary’s University and teaches statistics. Mike
has been a foster parent for Dakota County for the last 15 years and
specializes in caring for adolescents.
Mike feels honored
to have worked with the hundreds of quality athletes and persons
over the years. Their desire and dedication to the great sport of
tennis has energized him to work hard in helping them succeed. The
many talented coaches he has coached with and against, those who
share this passion of giving back to the sport we all love, have
made this career a great experience. Mike is stepping down from
coaching in hopes of getting his own lackluster game some badly
needed repair work |
