New Prairie High School boys tennis coach Stefan Lagielski encourages the Falcons to have fun while also working hard. He wants to help them achieve success on the court and pass their love for the game on to future generations.
Ten years after graduating from Prairie High School, life is coming full circle for Stefan Lagielski.
The 28-year-old is one of the professionals at the Vancouver Tennis Center where he learned how to play growing up. He is also the new head coach of the Prairie boys tennis program.
“It’s been a fun journey taking over my school and being a pro at the club where I learned how to play,” Lagielski said. “A lot of the coaches who taught me are still there and I get to work with them now. It’s kind of a full circle moment for everyone.”
Lagielski takes over for Chris Linquist, who retired from coaching tennis at the high school after 34 years. The Falcons honored Linquist by renaming the courts the Chris Linquist Tennis Center.
“She deserves it. It was her program for so long,” Lagielski said. “I’m just excited to bring all that I’ve learned over my life of being a tennis coach in other places in the US.”
After attending George Fox University for two years, Lagielski got the opportunity to coach at various academies near Austin, Texas. He fell in love with the culture there. Even when it was 100 degrees outside, people were out on the courts playing tennis.
“I was fortunate to work for some of the best run highest performance tennis academies in the US and really see what it takes to get kids to the next level but also to keep having fun and staying in the sport,” Lagielski said.
“You can play tennis forever. I teach 80-year-olds how to play,” he added. “You can pass it on to your kids and grandkids. It’s something the whole family can do together.”
Chronic injuries from playing tennis and other sports took their toll on Lagielski. He made a tough decision to leave Texas and move back home. But then, the opportunity to coach at Prairie came knocking.
“Looking back, everything happened for a reason,” he said. “I think I was brought back here to do this and I’m really enjoying it. I feel like it belongs to me now and something I was meant to do.”
After the first month of the season, Lagielski believes the Falcons are making huge progress.
“I’m just trying to get them supporting each other and having fun and wanting to play tennis their whole life,” Lagielski said. “If they leave every practice and match with smiles on their faces, that’s more of a win in my book than winning.”
