Missouri Valley / Heart Of America

From high-performance coaching to grassroots impact: David 'Skip' Span steps up

Sydney Hamilton | February 02, 2026

David “Skip” Span, new USTA Heart of America Community Development Committee chair, deeply understands tennis is more than a sport—it’s a community. And when that community embraces outreach and the development of players who otherwise wouldn’t have access to tennis, individuals can flourish at the highest levels.

Span has played tennis most of his life. He was the top junior player in the USTA Eastern section. As an NCAA Division I player, he helped Illinois State University win the Missouri Valley Conference championships.

Top Player to Top Coach

He has since channeled his success as a player into an impressive coaching career that includes coaching Donald Young to the 2024 US Open mixed doubles finals with Taylor Townsend. Span has guided more than 30 players to NCAA tennis careers.

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Span’s contributions in coaching have twice earned him the USTA Heart of America award for Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Program (2016, 2025). He was also selected as the 2024 Missouri Pro of the Year by the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA).

“I’ve spent my life inside high-performance environments—first as a player, then as a coach and director—and what I’ve learned is that strong systems matter,” Span said. “Great players don’t appear by accident; they emerge from healthy ecosystems.

"The community development chair role felt like a chance to help strengthen that ecosystem across our district so more people can find the game, and more players can stay in it.”

Community-Conscious

As the community development chair, Span hopes to bridge gaps that exist in the Kansas City area’s exposure to and participation in tennis. He sees many opportunities to meet people where they are by bringing programming such as Red Ball Tennis to local schools and parks, and hosting pop-up events across USTA Heart of America.

“My goal is to help our district think in terms of pathways—how someone discovers tennis, how they stay engaged and how communities sustain programs over time,” Span said. “Long term, the aim is sustainability—helping communities build programs that outlive any single coach or season.”

David "Skip" Span has worked with numerous high-performance tennis competitors, including American former pro player Donald Young.

Span’s work in USTA Heart of America is also an opportunity for him to help grow and promote the efforts of local Community Tennis Associations. These not-for-profit, volunteer-based organizations offer players the chance to learn and participate in tennis in areas where access may be limited.

The Sky’s the Limit

Though he’s just getting started as committee chair, the future is bright for Span as he works toward building an inspired, inclusive and confident tennis community in USTA Heart of America. He’s been atop the summit and wants to bring others with him to experience the game at its highest levels.

“I believe tennis is at its best when it creates both excellence and belonging,” he said. “My career has shown me what’s possible at the highest levels of the sport but also how powerful tennis can be in shaping confidence, discipline and community. I’m excited to help our district grow in a way that serves beginners, families and future champions alike.”

Check out additional feature stories from across the USTA Missouri Valley celebrating Black History Month in February by clicking here.

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