Kevin Plank helped make tennis a reality for the Lennox School District back in the fall of 2016. It was then that Plank offered the District his services and volunteered to coach a tennis program for both boys and girls for three seasons. He also offered to provide uniforms, equipment and supplies to help get the program started and help alleviate the up-front expenses of the program.
In May of 2017, the Lennox School Board of Education agreed with Plank’s proposal and made tennis an official SDHSAA sanctioned activity for the District.
Plank, who started taking tennis lessons at eight years old, found a profound love of the game at the age of 14. That was when he started taking private lessons and taking it more seriously.
Plank earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in marketing at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, where he was also the team captain for the men’s tennis team his junior and senior year after transferring there from Midland University. Plank was ranked tenth all-time at Creighton University when he graduated. He became a full time tennis pro after graduating college and has served as a tennis pro in Sioux Falls and was the director of the Country Club of Sioux Falls. Plank has also served as coach at Lincoln High School, Washington High School and Sioux Falls Christian.
While in Lennox, Plank has been able to boast strong rosters in both the girls’ and boys’ programs. This past spring, under Plank’s direction, the boys’ program brought home the school’s first ever State A tennis titles, with Jaxon Plank winning the individual state title and Jaxon and Tyler Plank, winning the state doubles title. Making it extra sweet was the fact the two State champions were coached by their dad.
Plank’s success at the helm didn’t go unnoticed this season as he was recently named the 2021 South Dakota High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year for Tennis.
“I want to congratulate Kevin for being selected South Dakota Tennis Coach of the Year,” said Lennox High School Activities Director, Dan DeVries, “Well deserving.”
Plank, along with the other SDHSCA Coaches of the year were recognized at the annual awards banquet held at the Rapid City Ramkota this past Sunday. Plank was unable to attend.
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