Coach Scott Willey has led multiple sports teams at Foran High School including tennis, basketball and powderpuff. Throughout his three years coaching at Foran, Willey has had a long lasting impact on the school community.
Willey first began playing tennis over 50 years ago and still continues to play competitively. He states, “That is what I love about tennis, it is a sport that you can play almost your entire life. It is great exercise, there is no shortage of competition, and you get to smack the ball hundreds of times every time that you play.”
Tennis is a popular spring sport at Foran with about 30 people trying out this year. The tennis team is made up of single and double players, where athletes could play alone or with a partner against competing teams. The sport brings the opportunity to continue playing for the majority of your life, even in old age.
According to Robin Bateman from Gale.com, “Some 25 million people play the game of tennis, making it one of the fastest growing sports around. Across the past seven years, participation is up by 30 percent.”
Tennis is a very accessible sport with many cities providing public courts for anyone to use. The nature of the game allows players to continue evolving, creating a unique dynamic within the sport.
Willey first began his coaching career from a recommendation from Foran’s teacher, Mr. Alan Stern.
“My friend, Mr. Stern, told me about the opening for the girls tennis team and encouraged me to apply. For me, it is the perfect ‘retirement job,’ as it combines my passion for working with young people with my love of tennis.”
With their continuous passion for the sport, they often visit Milford Indoor Tennis. The space offers a chance for tennis players to improve their skills and play the sport they love. Some of the Foran tennis players use their amenities, such as personal or group lessons.
Over the years as a coach, Willey has learned different ways to become a better player along with how to be relaxed in competitive situations.
He explains, “Coaching has helped me become more patient and adaptable. Every player is different and learns at their own pace. A coach has to be patient with the players and flexible based on each player’s needs.”
Willey uses different techniques and strategies to improve every athlete’s ability. For the season, the team has weekly practices, scrimmages, and games.
Sophomore Sruthi Kommana, states, “Working with Coach Willey has been a great experience because he always pushes me to be a better player.”
For Coach Willey, every day in the tennis community is a rewarding experience, for both the players he mentors, and for himself. It’s a constant flow of passion, progress, and commitment.
Willey expresses, “The best thing about tennis is that it has provided me with the opportunity to coach tennis at Foran which, in turn, has led to my helping coach basketball and powderpuff football. Interacting with so many great Foran students, as well as the many fantastic coaches/staff at our school has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me.”
As Coach Willey continues to shape sports programs and student athletes at Foran, his dedication to tennis remains strong. With the upcoming spring season, he looks forward to improving his players and building a superior environment on the court.
