What school(s) did/do you play/coach for?
Downers Grove North 
What years did you play/coach? 
1995 – present (retire 2027)

Please list your key accomplishments throughout your career.   
Along with my assistant coaches, players, and parents we’ve created a program we can all be proud of.  IGCA Coach of the year 2x, IABC Coach of the year 2022, Several terms on IHSA advisory committee, many years on IHSA State seeding committee, Hosted IHSA State badminton tournament 2003-05, West Suburban Conference 100 years top 100 coaches, 16 WSC Championships, 17 Sectional Championships, 16 top 8 State finishes including 4 – 3rd place team, 2 – Runner -up team, 3 – State Championships, 32 State Medalists, 8 State champions.  

Please describe your coaching or playing style. 
I’ve always approached my teaching, coaching, and parenting in the same manner…based on 3 simple principles of Class, Pride, and Character.  I’ve always felt athletic experiences, coaching, and being part of a team should be more than the sport itself.  It should be part of your life and be something that helps shape you as a person.  Class, in my opinion, is tough to define but you know it when you see it.  Just one example you might see class is after a hard fought battle on the court filled with intensity. If both players handle the win or loss graciously…never in your face on either side of that coin….that is Class.  Pride…I’ve always pushed to get girls to “buy in,” “make it personal,” and “make it more than just about you.”  These athletes are representing their family, school, team, and community. I tell them to take pride in what you’re doing and pride in the way you’re doing it.  When you approach things that way, my personal belief is that whatever you’re doing, it will be done better and be much more fulfilling.  Until then, you’re just a participant in that activity.  In the badminton/athletic world, it’s tough to have a great fulfilling team experience with a bunch of individual participants.   That’s where the Character comes in…I believe strongly in developing the fundamentals of the game and pushing yourself past what you think you can do.  You need strong character in order to do that.  Character allows you to persevere through challenges. It allows you to focus and pay attention to details. It keeps you working harder when you don’t feel like it and allows you to pick yourself up after failure to go after it again. With strong character you’ll develop a competitive patient will to learn and master all the small intricate skills of badminton. The ones that unless you properly train, you would never know they existed.  I’ve always tried to maintain a very disciplined hard working program that brings tournament type competition to practice.  I’ve always tried to practice what I preach and be willing to do the extra for players.  

What people have been most influential/helpful to your badminton career? 
Al Loew, Jian Liu, Lee Kinnicke, and John Charters.

What advice do you have for young badminton players? 
If you want to be great, surround yourself with greatness.  There is no easy path.  Be patient and develop the fundamentals.  They’ll pay off in the long run.  Compete at everything and don’t forget to have fun while you’re doing it.    

What are you up to now? 
Getting ready to start my last 3 years of teaching/coaching and trying to find a golf game!

What school(s) did/do you play/coach for?                                                        I started  playing badminton at Hinsdale Central High School and at Eastern Illinois University.  My 1st job was at Lockport Township High School (LTHS) teaching  math and coaching volleyball and badminton. After I retired, I continued to coach at Lincoln-Way Central (LWW) and Homewood Flossmoor (HF) School.

What years did you play/coach?
In high school, I played in 1975 and 1978 and in college I played in 1979 and 1980.   I was head coach at LTHS for 33 years; from 1984 – 2016.  When I retired, I was an assistant coach at LWC for 3 years and HF for 1 covid year.

Please list your key accomplishments throughout your career:
As a coach at LTHS, we won 4  SICA conference  championships and  8 SWSC conference championships.   In the IHSA State Series, we’ve won 18 Sectional plaques, 3rd place team trophies in 1990 and 1996, and in 1995 Lockport we were the Badminton State Champions. We had 5 Individual State Medalists, and 5 Doubles State Medalists.  Adrienne Davis won the Singles Championship in 1996 and Runner-Up in 1995.  Kerri Rak and Tammy Bartley won the Doubles State Medalists in 1990. 

Behind the scenes, I had amazing assistant coaches. All of them played in high school, and we couldn’t have been so successful without them:  Jill Albright(AND), Estella Rodriguez (LTHS), Kris Garland (JC) and  Mary Westberg (AND). 

I also contributed my time to several badminton committees:  Illinois Girls Coaching Association (IGCA), IHSA Badminton Advisory Board, and IHSA Badminton Seed Meeting. 

Please Describe your coaching style:
My attitude/demeanor when I coach influences my athletes. I always try to be fair and to help each player/each day.  My mindset as a coach/player was to “Get a racquet on every bird” This promotes competition at practice and therefore total effort. I  am a very efficient coach with my practice plan, but also want it to be fun with their friends and have it be a great high school memory. 

My coaching style is a mix of Hall of Fame mentors/coaches/friends of mine at LTHS:  Julia Hudson, Evon Schlotter, and Larry Thompson.  I was assistant volleyball coach for Julia Hudson for 18 and learned how to coach from her. From her student/athletes, Julie  demanded 100% effort all the time, team work, and pride.   

What people have been most influential/helpful to your badminton career?
Kampol Surapaboonchai-Shepard H.S.  In 1988 I met  Kampol and some of the girls wanted to go to his camps.  He helped me start my new chapter in badminton.  I started playing in  tournaments  and going to Lyons to play with/against amazing badminton players. 

Terry Terhaar-Andrew (HOF)- Terry was in our conference and LTHS always played them. Andrew always had great players… you knew they were coached well, always perfect form and having fun. Thanks Terry!

What advice do you have for young badminton players?
Keep listening to your coaches, work hard, enjoy your teammates and the more you have a racquet in your hand, the better you’ll get. 

What are you up to now?
I Live in Frankfort and like to hike, golf, garden and walk my dogs.  I recently bought a house in North Carolina so I’ll be traveling there to remodel. What am I up to now?  ………..anything I want!

What school(s) did/do you play/coach for?

Lyons Township High School

What years did you play/coach?

• Player: 2012 – 2015
• Coach: 2022 – Present

Please list your key accomplishments throughout your career.

• 3-time IHSA Singles State Champion (2013, 2014, 2015)
• The first athlete to win 3 consecutive State Championships

• IHSA State Finals Team 6th Place in 2013
• IHSA State Finals Team 3rd Place in 2014
• IHSA State Finals Team Top 10 in 2015 as a solo qualifier

Please describe your coaching or playing style.

As a player, I emphasized precision, technique, and strategy. I was known for my sharp and deceptive reverse overhead slices, careful placement, and a sky-high singles serve that I could land precisely on the back line. Some of my opponents often noted that I used smashes sparingly, but when I did, they were pinpointed to the sidelines and a pain to retrieve.

As a coach, I like to reiterate a few key principles from my own playing days.

1. “The greatest weapon is between your ears.” – Assistant Coach Alex Ip, LTHS
2. “There is no shame in falling down. True shame is to not stand up again.” – Fujimaki Tadatoshi
3. Use your skill set efficiently – it may not be possible to learn a brand new skill in such a short season, but I strongly encourage athletes to become familiar with and master their existing toolbelt. Craft your rallies patiently until you find openings to do what you do best!

What people have been most influential/helpful to your badminton career?

My club coaches and teammates. In a short time, they pushed me to be a better player, person, and friend. Together, we rolled numerous ankles, celebrated a shared inability to hit anything but slices, and soaked many cotton T-shirts. They are also the reason that, despite being in my mid-20s, my body aches in strange ways every morning. Thanks guys!

Coach Sue McClenahan and the Lyons Township program. There has never been a force as steady and grounding as Coach Mac. She kept me level headed and instilled in me a sense of humility, sportsmanship, and diligence – principles I still apply to my life today. In 2022, she warmly welcomed me back to the program, this time as a coach. I am forever grateful for Mac, the LT coaching staff, and the wonderful teammates who still play badminton with me today! 

My family. Both of my parents have been paramount in supporting my badminton journey, especially my dad. My father fell in love with badminton after I graduated. He is now a USAB technical official who travels the country umpiring for junior tournaments and has served as the head official at the State Tournament for a number of years. I daresay he is even more famous than I am. Thank you, Dad, for driving me to every lesson, coming to every meet (even when I banned you from being in the room), and for the constant trivia about the rules and regulations of badminton at family dinners. You have inspired me to give back to the community that shaped who I am today!

What advice do you have for young badminton players?

When I first qualified for State in 2012, I was unceremoniously eliminated on the first day in the fourth round. The next year, I distinctly recall feeling happy-go-lucky, having progressed farther than ever before. And then, in a frenzy of some of my best games to date, I ended up in the finals against a player I’d never defeated during the season. I even heard sideline whispers of how I’d been beaten 3 times before; there was no chance I’d miraculously win in the Championship match. And so, guaranteed a medal either way, I walked on court and played the smartest, most badass badminton of my life.

Repeating this feat two more times was nerve wracking. It absolutely felt like I had a lot to lose. But at the same time, every match you walk into is a fresh start. When the score is love all, whether you are up against someone stronger or weaker than you, approach each point like it’s a new opportunity. In other words, this is a long winded way to say – play like you’ve got nothing to lose! 

What are you up to now?

Since my badminton era, I have graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering. I then went on to complete my MS in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am now a full-time product manager at Deloitte Consulting and part-time freelance artist. Although I took a 5-year break from the sport during school, I’m thrilled to be back on the badminton scene with both old and new friends alike.

Schools play/coach for:

I played for Prospect High School from 1974-1977.  I was able to play in the very first IHSA State Badminton Tournament in 1977, and finished in fifth place in Singles.  I attended Western Illinois University competing in four AIAW National Championships finishing with two fourth-places, one fifth-place, and one 6th place finish. I was truly lucky to coach badminton at Prospect High School for over thirty years.

Accomplishments:

I was very fortunate to be part of a very successful High School program while I coached at Prospect High School.  I never kept records of my win/loss as a coach.  My belief was, that it was more important that my student/athletes succeeded.  Personally, I am a member of the Western Illinois University Hall of Fame, and I’m a recipient of the IHSA Distinguished Service Award.

Coaching Style:

My coaching style had always been easy for me, “treat every player equal.”  I truly believe that my players would agree that I gave them everything I could, and then some, to make them a better person/ athlete. 

Influential/Helpful:

I would be remiss not to thank my fellow coaches at Prospect High School.  Without their friendship and coaching skills, we would have never have been able to accomplish our goals every year. My fellow coaches: Ruthann Normann, Julie Stoker, Karie McClure, and Lindsay Gibbel.

Current Activities:

I retired from Prospect High School in 2017, and recently moved full time to Palm Beach Florida. I enjoy playing golf, and pickleball.  I travel whenever possible.

What school(s) did/do you play/coach for? 

 I played badminton at Maine West High School during the 1977 and 1978 badminton seasons.  In college, I played badminton at Illinois State University from 1978-1982.

 I coached varsity badminton at Arlington High School during the 1983 and 1984 badminton seasons, before it closed in June of 1984.  I then started coaching varsity badminton at Maine West in 1985 thru  2000.  I then moved to the JV coaching position in 2001.  I continue to coach JV at Maine West High School.  This is my 42nd year coaching badminton.

What years did you play/coach? 

I played at Maine West High School during 1977 and 1978 badminton seasons. I only played junior and senior year.   My private tennis coach didn’t want me to play badminton because he thought it would ruin my tennis.  It didn’t.

I  coached Varsity Badminton at Arlington High School in 1983 and 1984. I then coached Varsity Badminton at Maine West High School from 1985 through 2000. I then began coaching JV Badminton/assisting Varsity at Maine West from 2001 to the present.

Please list your key accomplishments throughout your career.

Playing accomplishments-I qualified for state junior year in high school.  I received a scholarship for badminton and tennis at ISU.  I continued to play tournaments after college, thanks to Kevin Hussey.  I was nationally ranked in singles and doubles a long time ago!

Coaching accomplishments- I was fortunate to have coached a singles state champion, Carrie Goerne in 1986, Six teams that finished in the top 4 at state(2nd place team finish in state- 1984 and 1988),and one team that finished 7th in state, which equals to 5 singles players and 7 doubles teams that finished in the top 6 in state.  State qualifiers: 21 singles players and 21 doubles teams. While coaching JV from 2001-present, I have assisted varsity, especially for sectionals and state. State qualifiers include 10 singles players and 9 doubles teams.

Please describe your coaching or playing style.

Practice, Practice, Practice!  Repetition = Consistency = Success.  

One point at a time.  The point, game, or match is not over until that last bird hits the ground.

Sportsmanship is very important to me!

What people have been most influential/helpful to your badminton career? 
Many people!  It takes a village.  Thank you to all who have influenced/helped me!

-I would never have played badminton in high school if it weren’t for Royleen Tipton, a P.E. Teacher, Volleyball Coach, Badminton Coach, and Tennis Coach at Maine West, who was after me to try out for the team since Freshmen year!

-I would like to thank my Mom for all of her support, both while I was playing and also while I was coaching!  She was at my matches while playing and while coaching!

-At ISU, I was so fortunate to have Kevin Hussey as a coach for both Badminton and Tennis.  Kevin was such an inspiration to me, as well to many, many others.  Kevin shared his passion and knowledge of badminton.  He was/is a GREAT role model on and off the court!!

-My college badminton group (Gena Fite, being one of them).  We also continued to play tournaments after college for many years, due to Kevin’s encouragement. Also the open tournament group and camp group.

-The coaches and volunteers that I have coached with and against.  The coaching clinics. We learn from each other!  Early on- Mary Lou Hundt, Kathy Crandell, Jeannine Konkolewski, Shirley Nannini, Tim Lang and those afterwards.  I also have been fortunate to have had some of my college badminton group( Maryval Rubel, Nadine Benson, Karen VanGrondelle) and some former players( Krissy Goebbert, Pushti Patel), and Kris Jaramilla help out as well.  Too many to name!  Thank you all!

-And also, the players that I’ve coached throughout the years.  Thank you!

What advice do you have for young badminton players? 

Make use of each minute on the court.  Practice, Practice, Practice!  Repetition = Consistency = Success.  Patience-One point at a time.  The point, game, or match is not over until that last bird hits the ground.  Watch matches-You learn a lot by watching.  Play off season.  Badminton is a GREAT sport!  It is very strategic, it is fun, it can produce lasting friendships, and it has many life lessons.

What are you up to now?

I am still coaching, year 42!  I am pretty involved at my church.  I really enjoy kayaking, traveling, gardening, and going out to eat with friends.  I have played some pickleball, I need to play more.

Schools
Eastern Illinois University as a player (Collegiate National Champion 1976)

Coached – Illinois State University 2 years – 1980-82; Palatine Fremd H.S. 2 years 1988-90; USA Badminton National Jr. Team to Dominican Republic 2005; USA Badminton Assistant Coach Pan Am Championships, Rio Brazil; USA Head Badminton Head Coach Sudirman Cup 2009
 

Key Accomplishments

Jr. Midwest Champion 1972

Midwest Champion – singles, doubles, mixed doubles several times from 1985-2010

National Collegiate Singles Champion 1976

President of the Midwest Badminton Association 1986-89

Tournament Director for IHSA Badminton for 16 years

Coached Ben and Quinn Hussey to #1 & #2 rankings in Singles in the Midwest Region

 

Coaching Style

Play Hard, Play Fair, and Have fun –  A happy blend between training drills and coached play.
 

What people have been most influential/helpful to your badminton career? 

My Dad, Bruce Pontow, Tom Carmichael to name a few.
 

What advice do you have for young badminton players? 

It’s a game, so play hard, play fair, and have fun
 

What are you up to now? 

I’m a retired professor from Eastern Illinois University in the Department of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation.  I still enjoy recreational badminton and tennis, projects around the home, volunteer efforts at church and in the community, and lots of fun with grandchildren (16 strong)

What school(s) did/do you play/coach for?

Maine East HS and New Trier HS

What years did you play/coach?

Unfortunately I’m of the era in which there were few opportunities for women to compete.  Therefore my playing consisted of a Major’s Class in undergraduate school.  I enjoyed the sport and played recreationally whenever I could.  When I moved to Chicago I had a chance to play in some of the clubs.  My first teaching job was Maine East HS where my coaching career started (1969-1971).  The rest of my career was at New Trier HS and I coached badminton there from 1972-2002.

Key Accomplishments

I was never one to keep track of my coaching wins/losses.  It was student-athletes who won or lost and we helped prepare them for the competition.  I was privileged to work at a school that worked hard to promote female athletics and they were very supportive of many sports.  I felt I was able to educate others about the value of sport and show people what a beautiful sport badminton is.  I was tournament manager for many state tournaments and I felt like we upgraded the state tournament experience for student-athletes.  Naturally winning the state tournament or having a singles player or a doubles team finish high at the tournament was a highlight, but seeing a student-athlete improve and grow (on the court and off the court) was always a highlight to me.

Please describe your coaching style.

I am an extremely competitive person, but I hope in a very positive way.  I always tried to be positive and fair with all student-athletes.  I believe if you asked my athletes they would say I was always encouraging with them, and they would also say I made them work very hard in practice so they would be prepared for the competition.  I also tried very hard to teach my players good sportsmanship…no matter what.  I expected them to win graciously and to lose graciously.  I wanted them to be strong and honorable young women.  Having coached a variety of sports, I think I was able to bring ideas from other sports and incorporate them into our practices.  I tried to make practices fun but competitive.  In the beginning kids hated all the drills I made them do, but as they realized their worth they bought into them.  They understood what was making them better and they were willing to work hard.  My Master’s Degree was in Sport Psychology so I also worked a lot of with the mental aspects of competition.  

What people have been most influential/helpful to your badminton career?

I credit my love for badminton to the first woman I coached with at Maine East, Charlene Anzalone.  She challenged me and in turn taught me to challenge my student-athletes.  I credit many of the women and men I coached with or against for influencing me in my coaching career:  Flo Malizola, Fran Camp, Shirley Nannini, RuthAnn Normann, Kathy Crandall, Jeannine Konkolewski, Gena Fite, Janet Wigglesworth, Terry TerHaar, Anthony Calderone…and I could go on.  I was a strong believer in learning from others and was like a sponge in working and talking with others.

School coached for:

Arlington High School from 1970-1982

Accomplishments:

Duel Meet record 132-0.  Tournament record 17-0 and Tournament Championships 1977-1981

Conference Championships 9 in a row 1973-1981.

District Championships 5 in a row 1977-1981 and State Championships 5 in a row 1977-1981

Speaker at the National Youth Fitness in Washington, DC

Speaker for Administrators & Teachers in Florida on Youth Fitness

Speaker at National. District & State Conventions on Physical Education.

Educator of the year by the Illinois Association for Health & Physical Education in Secondary Schools.

Member of IHSA Tennis Advisory Committee

Member of IHSA -IOE Committee on H.B 2153

Helped develop guidelines for Interscholastic Athletic Programs in Illinois

Coach-of-the- year in Girls Sports from District 4 in the United States

Elected to the Illinois Coaches Association Sports Hall of Fame

Coaching Style:

“I was very fortunate to coach girls that enjoyed hard work with lots of

physical activities both on the court and off the court.  Also when I coached we shared the facilities so we practiced

early in the morning as well as  late at night.”

Advice for Young Players:
“If you want to be good and enjoy the sport of badminton you have to work hard.”
Current Activities:

“Since my retirement I have studied Spanish in Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru.  In 1996 I did a year of volunteering at an orphanage in Mexico.  After my year of volunteering in Mexico I have continued to volunteer in  Mexico, Kingston, Jamaica, Honduras, and El Salvador.  I have also sponsored many children from the Latin American countries as well as visited them. ”

School coached for:

Coached at Willowbrook HS in Villa Park from 1980-2004.

Accomplishments:

“Started coaching badminton in 1980 with a positive approach and got girls interested and through constant encouragement built a team of 15 girls to 3 levels (Freshmen, Sophomore and Varsity). Had an enrollment in badminton at 42 by the time I retired in 2004.

Won state in 1997 and co-champions in 1998.  Won the conference four times and placed second, fourth and fifth in the state over the years.”

Coaching Style:

“Staying positive and enthusiastic, making practice fun and working hard.  Taught skills over and over with short games for competition.”

Biggest Influences:
“The Hussey family, the father showing me drills, the boys giving lessons and playing against the best girls and giving game pointers.  I had two enthusiastic assistants and great teachers with the skills.”

Advice for Young Players:
“Try it, you’ll like it!  Great conditioning and keeps your agility in top shape.  It will improve our quickness in other sports.”
Current Activities:

“I’ve had the opportunity over the years to winter in Florida, play pickleball and golf, and continue selling synthetic oil.  I have been able to spend time with my two daughters, four grandchildren and now four great-grandchildren.  I’m living in northern Wisconsin and enjoy my time with my family.”

School coached for:

Victor J Andrew HS. Started the Varsity Badminton team in 1979 and coached until 2006.

Accomplishments:

13 IHSA top 3 finishes

       – 6 State Championships 

       – 2 Runner ups 

        – 5  3rd place 

      24 IHSA Sectional Titles

      2x Illinois Girls Coaching Association Coach of the Year

      IGCA Hall of Fame

      Andrew HS Coaches Hall of Fame

      37 State Medalist, 4 State Champions

      ESPN Magazine High School Coach of the Month

      2 Terms on IHSA Badminton Advisory 

Coaching Style:

Organized for each practice session. Gave attention to each player from #1-#16. Concentrated on drills, situation drills (strategies), footwork at every practice. Making practices fun and competitive.

Biggest Influences:
“Paul DeLoca (NIU), Kevin Hussey , Gene Kowert-midwest badminton player. Taught me how to play the game  in 1975. The wonderful girl athletes that I had on my teams influenced my career. They were so competitive I had to become a better coach. Last but not least, my assistant coaches, especially Mark Gruca who was with me for 28 years. Former players/coaches Mandee Converse Wettergren, Angie Presbitero Fergus, and Nancy TerHaar.

Advice for Young Players:
“You get out of badminton what you put into badminton. If you work hard, and have the talent you will be successful. ”
Current Activities:

“I am enjoying my family and riding my Harley. Also I’ve been involved with pickleball since 2010. I play 3-4 x per week and play in tournaments. I am  a USAP Ambassador since 2012. That position is a volunteer role consulting park districts on court design, doing clinics and in general  promoting pickleball.”

School coached for:

Palatine High School from 1975 until 1992

Accomplishments:

1985 State Championship Team was first athletic team in 100+ year history of Palatine athletics to bring home a State Championship Trophy. Also won State Titles in 1986, 1989, and 1991.

Coaching Style:

“I was always organized. I always had specific practice plans. I really emphasized the importance of conditioning and always tried to add some fun.”

Biggest Influences:
“The person who influenced me the most was the badminton coach at myu college. She was always very encouraging.”

Advice for Young Players:
“Work hard and have fun!”

Current Activities:

“I retired from Palatine High School in 2004. I enjoy playing golf and tennis. My passion is traveling all over the world.”

Schools played/coached for:

Played for Arlington high school, Illinois State University, and Arizona State University     Coached for Wheeling high school 1988-95, York Community high school 1998-2006 and 2018-current, and Eastern University.

Years played:

Played for the dynasty team of Arlington High school 1976-1980, Illinois State University from 1980-1981, and Arizona State University from 1981-1984. Played independently in tournaments from 1985-2007.

Playing Accomplishments:

Midwest singles and doubles champion 7 years, 4 time U.S. Olympic Festival athlete from 1989-1991, 93. National badminton titles in singles and mixed doubles 2007. International team 3rd place finish at tournament in Japan 2002. National USTA team tennis title 4.5+ 40 and over 2019.

Coaching Accomplishments:

Improved quality of badminton both at the student level, and coaching levels. Provided high school summer camps to area players, organized top level athlete exhibitions for coaches, organized coaching clinics, presided as president for the Illinois Girls Coaches Association (IGCA), attended national coaching clinics, organized a team of coaches to train as line judges at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and officiated as a badminton line judge at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Teams won 6 consecutive sectional titles. Almost every team coached has had winning record.

Coaching Style:

“Put in the work with practice, practice, practice!  Repetition whether it is footwork or strokes, might be boring, but the rewards are great.”

Key Influences:

“Mary Lou Hunt who was my high school tennis and badminton coach.”  

Advice for Young Players:

“Choosing to play badminton has hidden rewards that will surpass your high school badminton expectations. You will forever be changed and will never regret playing badminton!”

Current Activities:

“Stepped away from teaching tennis for the Elmhurst Park District after 25 years in December 2021. Keeping active by playing pickleball, hiking, biking, and rock climbing. Still coaching badminton at York high school. Staying involved with my church and community.”

School played for/Years:

Downers Grove South from 1998-2001

Key Accomplishments:

Singles State Champion: 1998, 2000, 2001. *Missed 1999 season because of training at National Training Center in California*. Undefeated career. Won 11-0, 11-0 in 2000 Singles State Championship match. 6 Junior National Titles, Top 5 National ranking in 2002, Top 100 World ranking in 2003. Midwest Adult Champion 1998-2004.

Playing Style:

Aggressive and fast

Key Influences:

“I would say that my parents were the most supportive during my badminton career, they helped me through it all. Also my first coach Kampol Surapiboonchi and my best friend Shannon Pohl”

Advice to Young Players:

“To be good it has to be a year round commitment- not just seasonal. Also take advice and wisdom from a multitude of coaches and opportunities, and participate in camps and tournaments everywhere. This is absolutely not a recreational sport – it is the second most popular sport in the world and deserves recognition and respect”

What have you been up to after your badminton career?

“I did undergraduate at University of California Irvine while continuing to compete nationally and internationally. I finished college in 3 years and even walked on the Division 1 tennis team for my final year. I completed a master’s degree in clinical research at Rush and completed medical school at Midwestern in 2011. I did a residency in radiology for many years. I am a mother of a very active little boy who is my whole world, Jace.”

Schools played/coached for:

Played for Hersey when sports were managed by GAA.

Coached from 1978-79 to 1983-84 at Rolling Meadows

Coached from 1984-85 to 2020-21 at John Hersey

Accomplishments:

Won a District Title in 1980-81. 

15  Illinois State Medalists

2 State Champions and two runner-ups     

9 Sectional Plaques      

Team finished 9 times in the top ten     

2nd and 3rd Place State Team trophies 

MSL East Coach of the year 1986-87

Illinois Girls Coaches Association Badminton Coach of the year 1995-96

Coaching Style:

“As a coach I used a firm yet fair approach, but tried to build athlete/coach relationships through encouragement, motivation, humor and a display of sincere caring for our athletes.  I designed the practices and set the Varsity line-ups.  As coaches we understand that every athlete comes to us with different skill sets, but with focused daily practice efforts they steadily experience levels of improvement. This growth allows them to excel fundamentally, tactically and technically in their games beyond their imagination.  By athletes maintaining a positive mental attitude, displaying good sportsmanship and respecting their opponents/teammates/coaches/self, competition becomes a thrill.”

Biggest Influences:
“Jian Liu and Kevin Hussey guided many coaches at their clinics.  My fellow coaches offered words of wisdom and frequently became presenters at clinics.”

Advice for Young Players:
“Give 100% effort and leave it all on the court, learn from your mistakes, play in the moment by turning the page, train off-season and HAVE FUN!”

Current Activities:

“I enjoy playing pickleball for my daily enjoyment, travel whenever and meet up with friends every opportunity.”

Schools coached for:

Started coaching at TF North from 1983 to 2010. Has coached at TF South from 2011 to present.

Key Accomplishments:

9 sectional titles and 6 conference titles at TF North.
10 straight conference titles and 7 sectional titles at TF South. 2 IHSA State Championships (2013 & 2014). Coached State Doubles Champions in 2014. IHSA State Runner Up (2012). Finished in top 10 at State, 7 times.

Comments on Hall of Fame Coaching Career:

“Always tried to keep badminton relevant all year round by hosting 3 annual off season (free) tourneys.  Currently, we host 5 home invites loaded with badminton gifts and awards. Always placed my players well-being ahead of any personal feelings. Always provided quality rackets and badminton attire to my players at no cost. Always surrounded myself with excellent assistant coaches, parents, AD’s and dedicated players.  TFN/TFS badminton was never a one man show, it was always a conglomeration of many people and outside factors.  I accepted this award on behalf of many, many people.  THANK YOU!”.

Influences:

“Always respected and looked up to many other coaches. (Too many to list). Always appreciated the excellent (special) badminton community.”