David Hartsek
David Hartsek, a USPTA wheelchair tennis instructor, teaches wheelchair tennis for Parks and Recreation in Lexington, Ky. He also is a computer specialist for the USDA-Rural Development. From 1977-88, he worked as a PBX operator for Baptist Hospital. David has a degree in microcomputers from Lexington Community College.
David was introduced to wheelchair tennis in 1989. He started playing recreationally and then moved on to competitive wheelchair tennis. He started teaching wheelchair tennis in 1997. In 2003, he earned his wheelchair certification from USPTA and in 2004 was named USPTA-Kentucky Professional of the Year by the USPTA Southern Division.
"I wanted to teach the disabled community how to play wheelchair tennis," David says. "I have played a number of wheelchair sports, but tennis is my true passion. I can play this game with anyone and especially with my family.
"I hope to continue to introduce wheelchair tennis to as many people as possible and grow the game of tennis in my community."
Following is a timeline of some of his accomplishments and contributions as a wheelchair player and teaching professional.
· 1993 – Begins to compete in wheelchair tennis.
· 1994 – David introduces wheelchair tennis to the Bluegrass State Games, Lexington, Ky.
· 1995-97 – Gold medalist at Bluegrass State Games – Lexington, Ky.
· 1997 – Competes in USTA-League Tennis (against able-bodied players), Lexington, Ky.
· 1998 – Wheelchair Tennis Exhibition, High School Tennis Coaches Seminar, Louisville, Ky.
· 1998 – Music City Classic – C Division Semi-Finalist, Nashville, Tenn.
· 1999 – Kentucky Tennis Association Board of Directors-Management Committee, Louisville, Ky.
· 1999 – Southern Tennis Association – Wheelchair Tennis Sub-Committee, Atlanta, Ga.
· 2000 – PTR Wheelchair Tennis presentation, Southern Tennis Association, Atlanta, Ga.
· 2000 – Bluegrass State Games – Tennis, Lexington, Ky.
· 2000 – Music City Classic – C Division Doubles Champions, Nashville, Ky.
· 2000 – Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Championships – Tournament Chairman, Louisville, Ky.
· 2000 – Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Camp – Instructor/Sub-Committee, Louisville, Ky.
· 2000 – Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Championship – C Division Runner-Up, Louisville, Ky.
· 2000 – Golden Eagle Award PTR/Roho Wheelchair Tennis Championships, Hilton Head, S.C.
· 2001 – Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Championship – C Division Doubles Champion, Louisville, Ky.
· 2002 – Kentucky Tennis Association – Management Committee, Louisville, Ky.
· 2002 – Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Championship – C Division Doubles Champion, Louisville, Ky.
· 2003 – Southern Tennis Association-Wheelchair Tennis Sub-Committee, Atlanta, GA.
· 2003 – Christopher Reeve Foundation, $3,000 Quality of Life Grant, Louisville, Ky.
· 2003 – Southern Tennis Association Wheelchair Tennis Grant, $500, Louisville, Ky.
· 2003 – Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Championship – C Division Doubles Finalist, Louisville, Ky.
· 2003 – Wheelchair Tennis “Wall of Fame,” Louisville, Ky.
· 2003 – USPTA Wheelchair Tennis Instructor
· 2003 – Wheelchair Tournament of the Year – USTA-STA, Bass-Rudd Tennis Center, Louisville, Ky.
· 2003 – Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year – USTA-STA
· 2004 – Southern Tennis Association – Wheelchair Tennis Sub-Committee, Atlanta, Ga.
· 2004 – Cho Cho W/C Tennis Classic “C” Doubles Champion
· 2004 – Cho Cho W/C Tennis Classic “C” Finalist
· 2004 – USPTA Southern Division Professional of the Year
Since 1999, David has served on the USTA Southern Wheelchair Tennis Committee and has been the Bluegrass Wheelchair Tennis Tournament chairman, and he has been the USTA Kentucky wheelchair tennis coordinator since 1997.
In addition to tennis, David has competed in other wheelchair sports. He has competed in more than 300 road races, completed 14 marathons in Louisville (two), Chicago (two), Detroit (three), Boston (three), Pittsburgh and Columbus (three).
David has adopted two daughters from China.
Job-Related Honors, Awards, Special Accomplishments
· 1988 – Ten Years’ Service
· 1992 – Certificate of Appreciation – Exemplary Performance
· 1992 – Certificate of Appreciation, Computer Assistant, United States Department of Agriculture, Farmers Home Administration, Lexington, Ky.
· 1993 – Certificate of Merit – Disability Employment Program Manager
· 1991-94 – Wellness Coordinator (appointed), United States Department of Agriculture, Farmers Home Administration, Lexington, Ky.
· 1994-95 – Academic Scholarship – Lexington Community College, Lexington, Ky.
· 1995 – Performance Bonus Award
· 1997 – Certificate of Recognition – 10 Years of Federal Service
· 1998 – Mentor, Cardinal Hill Hospital, for newly injured physically challenged.
· 1996-98 – UK Mentor for physically challenged high school students, sponsored University of Kentucky
· 1994-98 – Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Alpha Phi Kappa Chapter), Lexington Community College
· 1993-2000 – Disabled Employee Program Manager (appointed), United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Lexington, Ky.
· 2002 – Certificate of Recognition – EEO Achievement Award
· 2002 – Certificate of Recognition – 15 Years of Federal Service
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