Jim Baugh – (former President Wilson Sporting Goods, President TIA) “Lee worked with me for nine years while I was at Wilson. He is a master clinician and one of the best on court communicators that I have seen. He was a great asset to Wilson and one of many important reasons why Wilson rose to dominance as a tennis company.”
Mike Wallace – (Global Sports Marketing Director – Wilson Sporting Goods Tennis) “Besides his excellent knowledge of tennis, Lee has this innate ability to garner and nurture relationships. I saw him manage many difficult and complex national projects while he was at Wilson, and he always came through. I hold the highest respect for his tennis, his communication skills, and his ability to get things done.”
Jack Kramer – (The father of modern day American tennis. Legendary Davis Cup star, Inductee, International Tennis Hall of Fame and the founder of what is now the ATP men’s pro tour. Wimbledon Singles Champion and winner of 13 United States Singles and Doubles Championships.) “I have known Lee DeYoung for 15 years and can say that every interaction with him has been a positive and rewarding experience. As a tennis pro, he has made a significant contribution to the growth of tennis in Southern California. Lee has a proven track record in working with all aspects of the game from competitive ranked players, to ethnic minority outreach programs, and adult tennis instruction.”
Bob Shafer – (former Wilson Sales Manager) “I have known Lee for over 25 years, and I can’t think of one person who does not respect his tennis, his communication skills, and his integrity. Whether it was a USTA or USPTA sponsored program, an NCAA College sponsorship, working with nationally ranked juniors, or with touring pros, his level of tennis knowledge garnered respect at every level. Not only does he work magic on the tennis court, but he has this creative ability to have his students think and improve in a unique way.”
Dr. Jim Loehr – (Peak Performance coach to the pro players. Monica Seles, Jim Courier, Tim and Tom Gullickson, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, etc. Arthur Ashe once said, “Jim Loehr is the most important coach in tennis”. Founder and CEO of LGE Performance Systems and author, “The Power of Full Engagement”) “Lee and I have a friendship that dates back over 35 years when we were at Northern Colorado University together. We have been doubles partners, fellow-teaching pros, and he worked with me as one of the tennis pros when I began my Peak Performance Programs in Denver, Colorado in the 1970’s. His creativity and insight into how a person learns makes him one of the top tennis pros in the country. I would give the highest level of recommendation for Lee whether you are a beginning recreational player, an aspiring junior, or trying to play (or teach) tennis for a living.”
Vic Braden – (Tennis legend and the Father of American Tennis Instruction) “I’ve known Lee for many years and he has always been a good and loyal friend. He is one of the most creative teaching pros in the business. We’ve worked together in countless clinics, and he is a true professional. Everyone I know appreciates his tennis and his willingness to serve.”
Peter Burwash – (Founder and CEO PBI, the world leader in professional tennis management, staffing hotels, resorts and clubs in over 23 countries.) – “Lee DeYoung is a special individual. He is one of the most creative and intelligent people I know, yet has a wonderful sense of humility. Throughout the time I have known him he has always honored his commitments and his integrity has been in the forefront of everything he has done. Anyone who works with Lee will have the opportunity to be with a truly fine human being.”
Steve Stefanki – (All American University of California at Berkeley, U.S. Olympic Tennis Coach, Nor. Cal. Men’s 35’s singles champion, coach to ATP and WTA touring pros) “When it comes to the pure teaching of the game, there are very few people whom I respect as much as Lee. He understands tennis in ways that most people don’t, and more importantly, he has the creative communication skills to have his students get it. Most importantly, he has this ability to have his students physically perform these new, lucid concepts. This is not only true in his tennis, but in all of his areas as a teacher. While skiing with him on a deep powder day in the Pacific Northwest, he showed me how to think of skiing in a different way. How to think of snow as a liquid and planing the skis within the liquid. I had a breakthrough day and was able to ski deep powder comfortably for the first time in my life. He does the same for his students in tennis as a master teacher.”
Wayne Bryan – (Coach of Mike and Bob Bryan, #1 Team in the World, U.S. Open Doubles Champions, and member U.S. Davis Cup. Wayne Bryan is regarded by many as the “Finest tennis clinician in the world.” He is an accomplished musician, and his band along with Mike and Bob (fine musicians in their own right) have performed hundreds of TennisMusic clinics around the world. He is the author of the best selling book, “How to Raise a Champion in Academics, Athletics, and Art.”
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Lee DeYoung for 30 years and he has been so personally helpful to me and my speaking, coaching, and writing career. He has been a steadfast supporter and coach and confidant to my boys, Mike and Bob Bryan, who are currently the #1 doubles team in the world and on the U.S. Davis Cup Team. He is very knowledgeable about tennis and he’s a fine player and an excellent coach. He is well known in the tennis community and you will find that everyone will have a great word to say about Lee for is well liked and respected in the industry. He is honest, forthright, and a man of integrity and class. Speaking for myself and also Kathy Bryan, Bob Bryan, and Mike Bryan, I recommend Mr. DeYoung to you wholeheartedly and without reservation.”
Dick Gould – (The most successful college tennis coach in history. Stanford Men’s Tennis coach for 38 years, winning 17 national championships. NCAA coach of the year 2000, and ITA coach of the decade. His former players include John McEnroe, Sandy Mayer, Nick Saviano, John Whitlinger, Scott Davis, Mike and Bob Bryan, and many more who have gone on to win Grand Slam and ATP tour championships. “I have known Lee for many years, and have the utmost respect for his tennis knowledge in teaching and coaching. What has always impressed me is his skill of interacting, communicating, and being warmly accepted by players of all levels and abilities. Whenever he visited Stanford and spoke to my teams, every player had his full attention, for there wasn’t anyone who didn’t like him, or value his tennis knowledge. We have spent many quality times together both socially and professionally, and I give the highest recommendation for Lee and his programs whether you are a beginner, recreational player, or trying for the top competitive levels of tennis.
Dr. Allen Fox – (U.S. Davis Cup member, NCAA Singles and Doubles Champion, U.S. National Hardcourt Champion, Canadian National Champion, Wimbledon quarterfinalist, and coach of top players such as Brad Gilbert and Robbie Weis during his 17 year tenure as men’s head coach at Pepperdine University. Dr. Fox is a world-renowned sports psychologist and author of numerous books, the latest being, “The Winner’s Mind”. “Lee and I have known each other for over 20 years, and I can unreservedly say that every event, clinic, or social function we have participated in together has been a rewarding experience. He is thoroughly knowledgeable about tennis, is an excellent teacher and coach, and can bring out the best in his students. He has the unique ability to connect with people, regardless of age, background, or athletic ability. Whether you are taking a lesson or having dinner at his house, you won’t be disappointed with any time you are fortunate enough to have spent with Lee.”
Stacey Margolin Potter – (NCAA singles champion and All American at USC, 8 year WTA touring pro with top 20 world ranking) “I’ve known Lee for many years and he has helped me any time I have asked with any of my tennis programs. He is a good friend, fine player, a great coach, and most importantly, he always helps anyone coming up in the game of tennis. Whether you are a beginning adult, aspiring junior, or a touring pro, take a lesson from Lee and it will be some of the best money you will ever spend on tennis.”
Jim Pugh – (Wimbledon, U.S. Open, Australian doubles champion, Davis Cup star and former #1 in the world in doubles) – “I’ve known Lee for years and have done many clinics with him and played exhibitions for his events. He is well respected by the players on the pro tour with whom he worked while at Wilson. He’s a great skier and a fine tennis player, but his golf does need some work.”
Rafael Belmar Osuna – (Member USC Tennis Team 1982-86. Mexican National Doubles Champion, CIF Doubles Champion, Rolex International Doubles Champion, and Casablanca World Championships Doubles Champion. Nephew of Wimbledon and U.S. Open Singles and Doubles Champion, Rafael Osuna. He is the CEO of 911Notifymex. As one of Mexico’s leading tennis authorities, he serves on the board of the non-profit Rafael Osuna Foundation and Tennis Life Magazine.) – “After my college career at USC, I coached at the DeYoung Tennis Academy. I learned so much about coaching and how to work (teach and interact) with juniors of all ages and tennis capabilities while under Mr. DeYoung. Working with him he earned my highest respect as not only one of the top coaches in the Unites States, but as a top notch human being and a great citizen of the world.”
Aung Htut (Entrepreneur) – “I didn’t start playing tennis until high school, however, at the DeYoung Tennis Academy, I became good enough that I was able to make the tennis team at UC Irvine to play for coach Greg Patten. After college, Lee helped me stay in the tennis business by showing me how to apply for and secure the Wilson and Adidas distributorships contracts in my home country of Burma.”
Eleanor Black Eskey, Ed.D. – (Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and Education, University of Southern California, California State University, L. A. and UCLA, Education Extension) “It is my pleasure to write a few words about Lee DeYoung and his tennis programs. Our two children, Kim and Bob grew up playing tennis at the DeYoung Tennis Academy. When Lee asked us if we would be interested in hosting one of his foreign players coming to train at his academy, we enthusiastically said that we would. The player chosen to live with us was one of Japan’s top juniors, Hajime Yamanaka. I can say without reservation that it was one of the best experiences we have had as a family. Our children formed a life long friendship with Hajime, and he was an absolute delight as an additional member of our daily family rituals. As an added bonus, Hajime’s tennis improved to an entirely different level while training with Lee at his academy and he was able to play for Dan Braden (Vic Braden’s brother) at West Valley College in Northern California.”