Shaun Keenan, an experienced tennis professional in the Cleveland area, has been hired as the head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs at John Carroll University effective immediately.
 
With a solid tennis background, Keenan hopes to use his experience to build the John Carroll program.
 
“I am excited about being the new tennis coach at John Carroll University and I am ready to continue a winning tradition,” said Keenan. “My priority as the new coach is to create great team chemistry and teach them to utilize their strengths so they play their best in match situations. Our team goal is to get better throughout the season and peak at the right time to with the OAC Championships.” 

Keenan, a native of New Zealand as well as a former standout collegiate tennis player at Wichita State University, is currently the Head Tennis Professional at River Oaks Racquet and Fitness Club in Rocky River, Ohio, where he manages and develops the junior and adult tennis programs. 

Throughout his tennis playing career, Keenan has held many records and has been extremely successful. As a junior player, Keenan was ranked #2 in Western Australia under 18's and #10 in all of Australia. He then continued playing tennis in Germany for a year, before attending Wichita State University in Kansas. 

Keenan holds the university record at Wichita State for the most singles wins. He was also ranked in the top 100 singles players for NCAA Division I and ranked #20 in the NCAA Division I for doubles. While at Wichita State, he earned the 1998 Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award. 

After graduating from Wichita State in 1998, Keenan continued his education at the University of Louisiana-Monroe for graduate school. While earning his Master's Degree in Business Administration at Louisiana-Monroe, Keenan would serve the athletic program first as an assistant coach for the men's team and the Interim head coach for one season. 

Keenan has held numerous tennis positions across the country, including The Maidstone Club in East Hampton, New York, Towpath Racquet Club in Akron, Ohio and a United States Tennis Association (USTA) High Performance Competition Training Centers coach. 

He also recently was the Head Coach for the Northeast Ohio Tennis Association under 12's Junior Cup Team. Keenan was also a member of the 2005 USTA 5.0 National Champion team and earned the 2009 NEOTA Herb Nold Volunteer of the Year Award. 

“Shaun Keenan impressed us as someone with a high level of tennis ability and experience, passion for the game, and a strong desire to coach college athletes,” said Laurie Massa, Director of Varsity Athletics and recreation at John Carroll. “We believe he is a good fit for John Carroll, and will build upon the past successes of our tennis programs.”