Dedicated to the Game
For more than 30 years, Stephanie Howard has made her life about growing tennis.
The 2022 Middle States Teaching Professional of the Year is dedicated, hardworking and loves what she does.
“It’s the opportunity to create a safe place for kids to smile and support each other,” said Howard. “When a student runs onto the court with a smile, I am constantly reminded of what a great place the tennis court can be.”
Howard is the Director of Community Outreach at Princeton Tennis Program (PTP). PTP runs programming at Community Park and at the Eve Kraft Tennis Center in Princeton, N.J.
In her role, Howard helps partner with programs to bring tennis to the local community. This means offering programs for individuals with autism and those with special needs. She also works with after-school programming for players of all ages and abilities – making tennis inclusive for all.
Howard grew up playing tennis, and played collegiately at Shippensburg University. She earned a Master’s degree in Social Work and a license in Clinical Social Work. Howard attributes her continued love for the game to her parents, who introduced her to tennis and supported her every step of the way.
“They made the tennis court a very special place for me to be and that feeling continues,” Howard said.
Howard’s energy and passion is taken on by the students she teaches. Her players describe her as influential, patient, caring, outgoing, and incredibly dedicated. But even with those teaching abilities, she always looks to improve.
“Stephanie is a student of the game of tennis,” said Seth Walrath, USTA Middle States Junior Development Manager. “She is always seeking the latest tennis resources, recordings, and workshops to better service her students by gaining more coaching knowledge.”
Stephanie Howard with coaches in the the PTP Apprenticeship Program
- Stephanie Howard with coaches in the the PTP Apprenticeship Program
Howard is highly involved with USTA Middle States Junior Development. She coaches at Middle States Sectional Training Centers and Early Development Camps, and she helps with high-level events like the Middle States Liberty Bell Bash. She currently serves on the Middle States Coaches Commission.
"It is a great privilege to be on the court serving others through this wonderful sport,” she said. “I am in the company of awesome tennis professionals that guide me every day.”
Cruise Control Gear has joined USTA Middle States in sponsoring our Unstoppable Women in Tennis series, highlighting the incredibly strong women who are forces on and off the court in our Middle States community.
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