Hi! I’m Coach Karen Ronney. I’ve been in the Tennis Industry for over 40 years as a Player, Teaching Professional, USTA National Trainer, Speaker, Advocate and Mentor in the non-profit world. I’m also an award-winning Author, and a College Sports Recruiting Consultant. I’m currently a USTA Tennis Service Representative in Southern California based in San Diego.
In Education, I have a Master’s Degree in Professional Tennis Management from San Diego State University, and two Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Journalism and Public Relations from California State University Northridge. My writing skills led to a 15-year career as a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News and the San Diego Union-Tribune. I also wrote a sports parenting book called Proud Parents Guide to Raising Athletic, Balanced and Coordinated Kids, which won 34 publishing awards.
On the court, I was a former All-Conference NCAA Scholarship-Athlete from CSUN and competed on the women’s pro tour. This led to becoming a certified USPTA Elite and PTR 1 Professional. I was selected to be a USTA Natl Recreational Coaching Workshop (RCW) Trainer, a USTA Natl 10-and-Under National Faculty Member, a National Special Olympics Coach, a USTA Official and recently a USTA Natl Early Development Camp (EDC) Coach. I’m also certified to teach Adaptive Tennis, Cardio Tennis, USTA Schools Tennis, USTA Net Generation Red-Orange-Green Programming and high school tennis. Finally, I was honored to be the Double-Coach Coach of the Year (2009) from the Positive Coaching Alliance and PTR California Member of the Year (2016).
After becoming an on-court expert, I transitioned into being a “Train the Trainer” with the USTA. I’ve been a conference speaker at the USPTA National, California and San Diego Conventions; the PTR Symposium, USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, and the National Community Development Workshop. Finally, I was an Adaptive Tennis Court Leader at Author Ashe Kids Day.
My greatest challenge source of joy is being a mom to three amazing daughters, who each played multiple sports en route to receiving NCAA Division I, II and III athletic/ academic tennis scholarships. I live in San Diego with my husband, Doug, of 28 years, who was a standout player at CSUN. Needless to say, tennis has been a big part of our lives.
I hope the colorful blend of stories on this website might inspire, motivate, educate or entertain you. I strive to share the best of San Diego’s Tennis News. If you’d like to share your great news and promote upcoming events, please email me at coach@karenronney.com
Thanks for visiting. Feel free to leave feedback or comments. I hope you have a wonderful day!
With appreciation,
Coach Karen
San Diego Tennis News 