A Game Changer

“Tennis is like a through line throughout a life,” said Dr. Jeff Robbins, professor of philosophy and religion and head tennis coach at Lebanon Valley College. “It can mark where you've been and where you're going.” 

For Robbins, that idea of tennis as a way to trace a life extends beyond his own experiences on the court. It also inspired his book, Game Changers: The Evolution of the Modern Game of Tennis, which explores how individual outliers and innovators transformed the Open Era of professional tennis.

“It started out just as an experiment, and then one thing led to another,” Robbins said. “It was a real pleasure and joy to write, allowing me to revisit players from the past and dissect key strokes and evolution points in the modern game.”

Robbins’ own tennis journey began as a competitive junior in Louisiana and led him to Baylor University, where he joined the team but stepped away before his first season began. After taking a 15-year hiatus to pursue graduate school, moving to Pennsylvania reignited his passion for the sport.

What started on local courts in need of repair, quickly grew into a thriving initiative serving up to 200 children a week through free summer clinics and day camp partnerships. Recognized for its community impact, LebVal CTA successfully raised funds, including grants from the USTA, to completely renovate the park’s courts.

Robbins continues to build community through the sport that shaped his life, passing his passion on to the next generation of players.

“No matter how different the modern game might be, being part of that living history is a wonderful thing,” Robbins said. “I just still love it.”