Janet Glaser, Head Tennis Coach for Andover Central High School in Andover, Kansas, is the recipient of the 2017-2018 National Coach of the Year Award. She was presented the award on Aug. 5, 2019 in Topeka, Kansas at the 87th annual KSHSAA Coaching School.

 

“It’s very humbling,” Glaser said. “You think, ‘Wow, of all the great coaches out there.’ And I have really just been a sponge and learned from all of them.”

 

Glaser has been coaching tennis for over 40 years. She got her start in the game at a young age by playing tennis with her family.

 

“My first coaches were my mom and dad, and my brother to some extent,” Glaser said. “I owe a lot to them because they taught me the game and encouraged me.”

 

Today, Glaser uses her life-long passion for tennis to instill a love of the game in every child that she coaches. ADVERTISEMENT She has touched the lives of hundreds of athletes through her work in high school tennis and by serving as the Kansas Junior Team Tennis Coordinator. She makes sure all her players learn the same message: playing is a privilege. 

 

“I tell them, you know, we have to play for the ones that can’t. Whether it’s because of a physical disability or an age barrier or whatever,” Glaser said. “Play for those who can’t. Go out there and give it your all.”

 

This past July, Glaser was invited to speak at the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Clinic, where she presented her coaching philosophy to tennis coaches from across the state. Although she has been recognized for her work as an influential coach, she never forgets the people who shaped her path along the way.

 

“When I was in New Mexico, the emphasis was on talking about a high school coach that impacted your life and I thought, ‘Man, there’s not a coach that hasn’t impacted my life,’” Glaser said.

 

Glaser has dedicated her life to the game, and more importantly, to sharing it with the next generation through coaching.  

 

“The best thing is just the energy they bring. It keeps you invigorated and makes you want to do more for them,” Glaser said. “They bring a ton of excitement and dreams.” 

 

"I would like to publicly pay tribute to three very important mentors to me, namely JC Louderback, Bryce Young, and Dave Hawley," Glaser added. "These three have truly shaped my career."

 

Coaching can be tremendously rewarding, as exemplified by Glaser. To find out more about becoming a coach in your area,check out this page to help you get started. If you are already a coach and looking for resources in order to rise to the success that Glaser and many other top coaches have reached, head on over to this page of resources.