
Steve MacDermut has been active in many areas of the tennis
industry over the last 30 years, giving him a wide range of experience.
From his playing days in college, and
later, on the North Carolina
professional circuit, he developed a very knowledgeable and fun teaching and
coaching style. It is imperative when working with Steve that you first be
prepared to have fun, and second, that you are serious about improving your
game.
Being able to combine a love for the sport
with a similar love for teaching, Steve has exposed thousands of people to
tennis over the years. He has a knack for working with beginners, as well as
the knowledge to help advanced players.
As a United States Professional Tennis
Association - Professional 1 teaching professional, a United States Tennis Association training center coach,
Southern Team Zonal Coach, and a high school and college coach, Steve has experience in many levels of
the game. Many of his students have achieved high USTA rankings. He has won
conference titles in high school, and has taken players to the National Collegiate
Athletic Association National Championships in college and coached All-American
collegiate players. He was also named Coach of the Year in the Old Dominion Athletic
Conference.
Steve has conducted clinics with
Virginia Wade, Dennis Ralston, Marty Reissen, Stan Smith and Jim Loehr, Henry
Hines, and others.
Not only does he teach players, but as a USPTA head tester,
he also trains fellow tennis professionals to attain certification.
He has coached NCAA Division III and
Division I intercollegiate programs and was a member of the Intercollegiate
Tennis Association.
In addition to Steve's work with
teachers and professionals, he has enthusiastically taught children from three
on up and also has a special knack for getting new players started right on their
playing journey. For many years he evaluated USTA League players as the North
Carolina Chief Verifier and has helped thousands enjoy the game.
Steve has been named North Carolina
Professional of the Year by both the USPTA and the North Carolina Association
of Tennis Professionals. He has received the Education Merit Award from the
North Carolina Tennis Association, the District Volunteer Service Award from
the Southern Tennis Association, and several President's Awards from the
Southern Professional Tennis Association.
In addition, Steve has served as a USPTA Southern
Division chapter president for North
Carolina, president of the North Carolina Association
of Tennis Professionals, and as a board member of the Southern Professional
Tennis Association.
Early in his career, Steve was
involved in football, baseball and basketball, and later came to tennis. He
played collegiate tennis at Guilford
College, finishing in the
No. 1 position. He went on to play the North Carolina Professional Circuit and
hone his skills playing against state champions, former college all-Americans,
and several former tour players. In one season he reached a ranking of No. 15
on the tour, and once held a Southern Professional Tennis Association ranking
of No. 6 in doubles. Having come to the game later in life, he is easily able
to empathize with the newer player struggling to advance.
Steve grew up in the club business.
Having a grandfather who was a club manager provided the opportunity to get
involved in the operations of a country club. He has gone from cleaning the
locker rooms and working in the dining room to directing tennis programs and
managing clubs throughout North
Carolina.
Steve and his wife owned and operated
the largest tennis and swim club in the city of Greensboro. He directed
the operation of tennis, swimming and restaurant facilities, maintenance, hiring
and managing personnel, marketing, operating a full-service tennis shop,
programming and public relations.
A former columnist for North Carolina
Tennis Today, Steve continues to write for local publications. He is
writing a book for new professionals. He studied English and history in
college, and received a degree in history from Guilford College.
After a stint studying for a Master's degree
in Education and teaching high school, Steve is now offering lessons and
coaching to those who really want to learn the game as a
lifelong pursuit.