Becoming a USPTA Master Professional is among the top achievements a tennis professional can accomplish. To even qualify to apply takes 10 years of holding an Elite Professional rating, but it takes more than just years. Each applicant must also complete the required continuing education hours and fulfill a broad spectrum of industry service in preparation for placement into positions including, but not nearly limited to, general manager and director of tennis.
Each of the following tennis professionals has met and exceeded the requirements for Master Professional status. They are excellent instructors that have committed themselves to the future of the sport. As chairman of the Master Professional Committee, it is my honor to introduce them to you here.
Jason Hazley has worked at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club since 2012, and for the last year has served as Director of Tennis. In his time at the club, Hazley has helped run the Louisiana State Clay Court Junior Open Championships and the National USTA Iberia Bank Men’s 60-65 Clay Court Championships. Hazley joins general manager Brett Schwartz as the two USPTA Master Professionals at the club. Hazley is the president of USPTA Louisiana and served on the New Orleans Metro Area Tennis Association board from 2014 to 2018.
Hazley played collegiately at Louisiana State University and was a two-time Second-Team All SEC selection and a First-Team All SEC selection in 2003. After a brief career on the ATP tour, Hazley worked as an assistant professional at clubs in Baton Rouge, La., and as an assistant men’s tennis coach at LSU.
Dan Hopkins has been coaching tennis for over 40 years, including 31 years at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he founded the women’s team in 1996. Hopkins also coached the Terre Haute South High School (Indiana) boys’ tennis team for 17 years and the girls’ team for nine. Under Hopkins, the Terre Haute South boys’ team made state Final Four appearances in 1980 and 1983, and the girls’ team finished second in the state in 1980. He was named Indiana Coach of the Year in 1992. Hopkins was tested for his USPTA Professional certification by the late George Bacso.
Since retiring in May 2019, Hopkins has traveled the country playing tennis and pickleball. He also coaches seniors at Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, Ariz. He also remains involved at Rose-Hulman as a volunteer assistant, helping with fundraising and working towards building an indoor tennis facility.
Levander Kelley currently serves as the boys’ varsity tennis coach at Powhatan High School in Powhatan, Va., where he led the team to its first-ever playoff appearance in his first season as coach. Kelley has been very involved in the community, volunteering his time and tennis expertise with several area high schools over the past 25 years. Additionally, Kelley works weekend junior clinics for inner-city children and for Tennis Across America.
Kelley overcame racial discrimination and taught himself how to play tennis as a child and while he served in the U.S. Army. He retired in 1995 as a Sergeant First Class Medic after 20 years of service. He has been recognized as USPTA Mid-Atlantic Professional of the Year, USPTA and USTA Mid-Atlantic High School Coach of the Year, and USPTA Top Education Credit Earner twice.
Dave Moyer is the regional vice president of the USPTA Southwest Division Board of Directors and, since February 2011, has served as Director of Tennis at The Country Club at DC Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz. In his nearly nine years, Moyer has overseen a tennis operation that has more than doubled in adult participation, increased in junior participation by 600% and grown to have three full-time USPTA professionals on staff.
Moyer previously worked as the Director of Tennis at Homestead Country Club in Kansas and at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln, Neb. He served on the Missouri Valley Division Board of Directors for three years and has earned numerous USTA and USPTA awards. Moyer started playing tennis at age 5 and played collegiately at the University of Nebraska. He coached college tennis for two years before going into tennis management. He and his wife, Wendy, are avid tennis players, as is his youngest son, Jake.
Sidney Newcomb has served as USPTA National Head Tester since January 2016. In his role, he oversees the certification and testing process for all incoming teaching pros and coaches. Prior to joining the USPTA, Newcomb was the Director of Tennis at Peninsula Community Center in Redwood City, Calif. While in California, Newcomb helped found the Life Advantage Tennis and Tutoring program, which offers free tennis and English lessons to Hispanic immigrants at McKinley Middle School.
Newcomb began playing tennis at age 9 and played collegiately at John Brown University. He enjoyed a brief ATP tour career before beginning his coaching career in 1990. He and his wife, Linda, have five children and the whole family is involved in tennis.