Ken Birkett
A coach/tennis professional for more than 45 years, Ken took over as the head coach of the Delaware Valley men’s and women’s tennis programs midway through the 2014-15 campaign. The women won two matches in their inaugural season while the men returned to action for the first time since the 1960s. Ken was the head men’s varisty tennis coach at Division III Franklin & Marshall College from 1984 to 1991 and again in 2003. He posted a 71-60 record in those eight-plus years for the third-highest victory total in Diplomat men’s tennis history.
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Ken began as a head professional at four New England Clubs from 1968 to 1975. He was the head tennis pro at Olde Hickory Racquet Club (now University Athletic Club) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 1976 to 2001. Ken then moved to the Lancaster Country Club in 2001 and was the head tennis professional until 2014. Ken, who as inducted into the Lancaster County Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005, was the captain and top player at the College of William and Mary. He graduated with a degree in anthropology in 1970.
Joe Donell
717.682.1933 or donellfamily@comcast.net
Joe played both high school and college tennis. He serves as assistant coach for Hempfield High School for the past 4-year coaching both boys’ and girls’ teams. Provides individual and group lessons. Joe served on board of directors at LTYC as Tennis Chairman for 6 years and is a PTR Certified Instructor. He enjoys teaching all levels tennis skills and technique, court positioning, singles, and doubles strategies.
Mike Cannon
717.606.6228 or cannonm9304@gmail.com
Mike has been the Head Boys Tennis Coach at LCHS for the past six years and helped lead his team to win their first ever PIAA AA State Team Championship and a District III Doubles Team Championship. He has also given private lessons to all ages and skill levels during that same time frame. He played for four years at Elizabethtown College and has also worked at Bent Creek as a tennis pro. He loves teaching the game that has been a major part of his life to anyone who is interested and is excited to continue the game he loves at LTYC!
Victor Fissella
717.572.3550 (text or call)
Victor is currently a USPTR Certified Pro. He has been teaching tennis full-time at Hempfield Rec for 11 years. He coaches and teaches adult clinics from Beginner to Advanced Players. Victor has coached as many as 6 women’s club teams, some of which have gone to Nationals. He has also coached at the Collegiate level and has been Head Coach of the Lancaster Catholic Boys & Girls teams for a total of 8 years - including LL League and District Champions in both Singles and Doubles. Victor is looking forward to the privilege of working with LTYC members this coming summer.
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Mindi Bell
717.575,0852 (text or call)
Mindi has been the head coach of the Hempfield High School boys tennis team for the past 10 years and the girls team for 7 years. She is a USPTR certified instructor and played for four years at Kutztown University. She is excited to work with players who are looking to develop a love of the game!