Meet Our Coaches

We are glad to meet you

Celebrating 20 years

Dion Lachmanen, President HPTA

Founder and President of Highland Park Tennis Association. In 2004, Dion saw a need in the community to engage and offer an outlet for underserved children to learn tennis, and life skills. The courts were unused, and dilapidated, but with his dedication to revamping the courts, tennis in Highland Park became a reality. HPTA has given participants an opportunity to learn the sport, a skill, and excel both on and off the court.

Jose Rodriguez

Jose Rodriguez, a native New Yorker, was raised in North Brooklyn. He loved the game of tennis from an early age and competed citywide as a youngster. His avid passion for the sport, along with giving back to the community, has motivated him to get involved with community tennis programs. Jose was one of the original 25 junior players selected for the prestigious Peugeot Urban Academy now known as the Lacoste Tennis Academy. He played Division 1 tennis for Saint Francis College and Alabama State University. He took his tennis skills and hard drive and began to work in advocacy. His hard work allowed him to win two consecutive School Board Elections in District 19 (North Brooklyn). Jose worked with the United States Tennis Association from 2005 through 2012 as a Tennis Service Representative (TSR) for the NYC Metro Region. He is currently working at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning as a tennis coach for the Intensive Training Program (ITP) and the Tournament Team. As one of the original founding members of Highland Park Tennis Association (HPTA), and a current coach in its Junior Tennis Program, Jose believes that it the responsibility of adults is to make the lives of the younger generation better than our own while having fun and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Lou Reid (Coach Reid)

A passionate certified USTA/PTR teaching professional who has played tennis for 28 years and teaching the game for 23 years. A member of a USTA team that made Nationals standing in the year 2004-2005. Net Generation certified to teach youths (10 and Under), high performance teens, young/middle/senior adults. He has a BA and MA in communications, also a NYC Department of Education teacher for 38 years. He enjoys attending annual professional development classes in order to stay updated with the latest changes and or additions to the game of tennis in today's world. Dependable, reliable, punctual, and a strong believer in the concepts of purpose and structure. Coaching with HPTA for the past 14 years as well as with the Harlem YMCA for the last 10 years.

Jim Sandu (Coach Jim)

Evgheni Sandu - Jim - is one of the HPTA tennis coaches who help young aspiring tennis players understand the dynamics of the tennis game. In 2007 Jim started helping and coaching the NYJTL Winter program by guiding and shaping dozens of young tennis players. In 2012 Jim joined the wonderful family of HPTA staff who are dedicated to take all players to the next level of their game.

Other favorite activities that he enjoys are swimming, biking, skiing and gardening.

As a favorite food, the honey glazed salmon topped with crushed pistachios is on top of the list.

William McClellan (Coach Bill)

Bill McClellan, born in Chicago 1962, became an avid tennis enthusiast since his introduction to the sport at 13 at Lane Tech High School. In keeping with his passion he’s played in local park tournaments and USTA tournaments here in Brooklyn, captained a USPTA team , attended Total Tennis and studied privately. He’s also had the good fortune to attend the 2013 Australian Open, US Lawn Tennis Championship and US Open. Bill believes in the unending learning opportunities the game provides and hopes to help inspire and challenge the children of HPTA to win at Tennis and at the game of Life.