Mr. Henry brings a stellar background in all levels of tennis management and teaching to Gainesville. Prior to joining the Palm Coast Tennis Center, he oversaw public tennis center programs and operations in both Washington, D.C. (Southeast Tennis and Learning) and New York (Harlem Armory). He’s served previously as a high-level tennis instructor in Miami and Delray Beach and coached college programs in both Florida and Pennsylvania. He has held a USPTA P-1 Elite Teaching Professional Certification for 30 years and holds a PTR 10 and Under Certification.
Mr. Henry began his tennis career in high school in Wilmington, NC. He received a tennis scholarship to NCCU in Durham, NC. Upon completion of eligibility and graduation, Mr. Henry competed on the USTA amateur and professional circuits. While competing, he met Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena. He was hired personally by Mr. Williams and was very instrumental in aiding in the assistance of the sisters’ early development – becoming one of Mr. William’s personal advisors.
Throughout his career, Mr. Henry has been a strong advocate for making tennis more accessible and equitable for all participants. His 2022 thesis, “Increasing African-American Tennis Player Participation at Selected HBCU,” has brought much-need attention to the systemic challenges facing HCBU tennis programs and the changes needed to reinvigorate and save these programs.
Mr. Henry was recently named a “Champion of Tennis” by USTA Florida for his work on a wide range of programs that promote tennis in his region.