Get To Know Jacob Buys, Your Tennis Service Representative

For years, Jacob Buys’s name was a commonplace in the USTA Missouri Valley’s Tennis on Campus program. Hailing from Ankeny, Iowa, Buys was a member of the Iowa State Club Tennis team for five years, spending two as the team’s treasurer and one as the president. In 2018, he was named the USTA Missouri Valley's Leader of the Year.

Now, Buys finds himself working for the organization he has been involved with for so long. Freshly graduated from ISU, he is the Heart of America’s new Tennis Service Representative.

“My day-to-day involves contacting providers in my district which involve facilities, school districts and parks and recreations,” Buys said. “I do my best to help our providers with resources, information and education on ways to expand the game of tennis in their area. With every provider being different and some being very similar it's looking at ways to help them each individually to their own unique circumstances.”

Buys is no rookie to the tennis scene, which has helped him as he has transitioned into his new role. While at Ankeny High School, he played tennis, along with football, basketball and baseball. During his time at Iowa State, his team qualified for the USTA Tennis On Campus National Tournament four years in a row. 

“I have been playing for around 15 years, from playing in high school, to helping run a club by setting up practices, matches, tournaments, to working for Cliff Drysdale Tennis as a Tennis Professional,” he said. “I have had a large variety of work in tennis and have seen all sides of it. That experience has helped me adjust nicely over to this position with USTA Missouri Valley, by being self motivated and learning the new position.”

Despite his experience, he continues to learn about what the USTA can do for the community. From grant opportunities, to education, to tournament operations, he enjoys helping and is eager to continue the sport’s growth.

“Tennis is a sport that can be played by anyone given they have the resources to play, that is why I enjoy this job because I get the chance to give communities and people that opportunity,” he said. “Expanding the game is exciting for me and I am looking forward to keeping that going.”