Our Pros
We Are All About Tennis
Since 2005, Huntsville Tennis Center has been organizing tournaments and offering private tennis lessons and clinics for tennis lovers in Huntsville, Alabama. All of our teaching staff are USPTA certified and can help you achieve your goal in tennis.
OUR PROS ARE HERE TO HELP!
Nothing can improve your game faster than a lesson with one of our Pros. Whether it's a private 30 min, 60 min, or group lesson, we are here to help!
Our Pros are excited to help you achieve your tennis goals in one lesson or a series of lessons depending on whether you would like to improve a single stroke or to improve your overall game to move to the next level. Let our Pros work with you and define a development path with you.
If you would like to schedule a lesson with one of our professionals, choose one and contact the professional directly, since they manage their own daily schedules - see their contact information below.
Our Experts
Joc Simmons, Director of Tennis - USPTA Elite Professional Alabama Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee
Joc Simmons grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and started playing tennis at the age of 9. He made nationals in boys 12s, 16s, and 18s. In his first two years of college, he played at the University of Oklahoma, winning a team, singles and doubles Big Eight Championship. From there, Joc transferred to Mississippi State University, where his college career took off.
He and his doubles partner were crowned 1994 NCAA doubles champions, and Joc received All-American status in singles. By winning the national championship, Joc and his partner received a wild card bid into the 1994 US Open. He went on to complete his education by achieving a B.S./Fitness Management degree.
After college, he decided to try the pro circuit, made the finals in two out of his first four tournaments, and reached a world ranking of #690. Joc knew this was not the path for him and decided to stop his competitive tennis career.
Joc began his teaching/managing career in 1997 at Mira Vista Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas. He was then director of tennis at Greenville Golf and Country, then Cypress Hills Tennis Club, in Greenville, Mississippi. He was here for the grand opening of Huntsville Tennis Center on May 10, 2005.
Since that time, the tennis center has been awarded the Alabama Tournament of the Year in 2006 and 2010. In 2007, HTC was honored with Alabama’s special event of the year award for its “Spring Break Camp,” and was named one of 13 Outstanding Facilities in the USA in 2008. HTC’s adult USTA leagues consist of over 200 teams annually. Joc and the other HTC professionals offer several camps, clinics, leagues, and private lessons for all ages.
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David Kingsbury, Head Pro - USPTA Certified Professional Level 2
David grew up in Huntsville, playing sports throughout middle and high school, but not tennis. He didn’t pick up tennis until the young age of 35. David has played USTA for 20+ years, with 10 of those years as a 3.5 captain then a 4.0 captain. With two trips to the USTA State championships.
He became USPTA Certified in 2015 based on his love for teaching and love of the game of tennis. And Joined HTC in 2020 and became Head Pro in January 2021. Since then Coach David has launched numerous youth and adult programs as well as leading HTC's Summer Camps. Over 250 youth participated in our camps in 2023! A record for HTC and proof that Tennis is alive and growing in both our youth and adults!
David has a huge passion for helping juniors and adults learn tennis properly with a strong focus on proper fundamentals of the game like proper grips, stroke technique, court positioning, and game strategies, with a big focus on fun!
David enjoys working with Youth and Adults of all abilities (beginner to advanced) and all ages helping to build the player's skill and confidence - and lots of fun too!
He hosts adult private and group lessons. Be sure to check out his Adult Clinics posted on the Adult Tennis Page.
Coach David leads many of HTC's Youth Programs - see the Junior Tennis Page;
- Tiny Stars (ages 4-7)
- Beginner Youth Program (all ages)
- Advanced Youth Program (all ages)
- Summer Camps (June and July) (all ages)
- High School Tennis Elite Player (HiSTEP) Program
- And private lessons for youth who wish to take their tennis game to the highest level
I look forward to meeting and working players to help them achieve their highest potential - while having FUN!
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Roland Markwalter – USPTA Certified Professional Level 2
(256) 503-4801
rolandhtc1@gmail.com
Roland has lived in Huntsville since 1973. He owned and operated a tennis and ski specialty store for 30 years in Huntsville, Alabama. As a junior, he played high school tennis, junior league tennis and completed USPTA Certification with a Professional Level 2 rating.
Roland has also been involved with youth sports for many years. He trained, developed, and operated an in-line hockey league since 1990. Roland develops tennis programs, teaches, and plans unique high-energy styles of classes. Roland helps people of all ages (juniors to adults) and skill levels (beginners to advanced) to improve their stroke, positioning, and overall game play, just to name a few. Roland provides private and group lessons, holds clinics, such as daytime classes for home schooled children, high-intensity workout tennis classes, and enjoys making his classes fun.
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Zach Eccher – USPTA Certified Professional Level 2
Zach grew up in Huntsville and started playing tennis at age 13. He played locally for four years at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama. Zach went on to play tennis at Emory & Henry College in Virginia and graduated in 2013 with a degree in communications. He completed his USPTA Level 2 Certification in 2016. Zach is excited about his opportunity of getting to work with players of all ages. He offers private lessons available for all ages.
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Bill Bryant – USPTA Certified Professional Level 2
Bill grew up playing tennis in Nashville and has lived in Huntsville for the past 20 years. He has been a longtime 4.5 player in the local USTA leagues and was a member of the 2009 team that reached the national semifinals in Las Vegas.
A former sports editor at The Huntsville Times, Bill became USPTA certified in August 2012. He is also the boy's tennis coach at Bob Jones High School. Last year, Bob Jones finished third in the Class 6A state tournament.
Bill teaches several adults clinics throughout the week, Drop In and Reservation Required. Contact Bill to join his clinics.
Trish Jeffery – USPTA Certified Instructor Level 1
(912) 656-3078
pcjeffery@gmail.com
Trish Jeffery received USPTA Instructor Level I certification to teach in 2021. She has been playing recreational tennis and in USTA leagues for over 20 years. Trish discovered the joy of tennis in Colorado Springs while her husband was deployed, and continued to play and learn the sport up through today. "Tennis is a lifelong sport and offers the opportunity to meet new friends and leave stresses behind for a few hours".
Trish is focused on details, strategy, and enjoys sharing this information with anyone who wishes to learn to improve their game, from beginner adults and juniors, to advanced players who might be missing that one shot or one skill. Trish offers several clinics and is available for private lessons.
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Bryson Beckham – USPTA Certified Professional Level 1
(325) 665-1805
brysonbeckham16@gmail.com
Bryson grew up in west Texas where he started playing tennis at 12 years old. After playing number one on his highschool team, he went on to play club tennis at Texas A&M university. Bryson has been teaching tennis since 2015. In 2019 he moved to Huntsville, where he is an active 4.5 player in USTA leagues. He is now teaching tennis at the Huntsville Tennis Center, and is excited to help any players wanting to take their game to the next level.
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Jason Flanagan – Recreational Coach
(256)653-7591
FlanaganUniversal_U1R@yahoo.com
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Rebekah Bickel – USPTA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR LEVEL 1
(256) 270-3458
rebekahbickel15@gmail.com
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Samantha Czarnecki – USPTA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR LEVEL 1
605-759-2594
sami.czarnecki@gmail.com
Samantha grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and started playing tennis at age 6. She played varsity high school tennis at O’Gorman High School from 7th grade through 12th grade. She won 10 individual state titles during her high school career. She holds the record for most high school matches won in the state of South Dakota. Prior to going to college Samantha attended Rick Macci Academy in Florida. She went on to play college tennis at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. She won numerous GLVC All-Conference awards throughout her college tennis career.
Samantha has been coaching tennis for 8 years. Prior to moving to Huntsville, she lived on Oahu, Hawaii where she coached high school tennis at Mililani High School. Aside from tennis Samantha is an Elementary School teacher and loves working with children. She is passionate about coaching and mentoring players of all ages. Samantha has a lot of knowledge in regards to what it takes to become a college athlete. She is USPTA level one certified and offers private lessons and group lessons for all ages.
