Coach Quan may teach math in Rye, but has been a devoted tennis coach right here in Harrison for years. His journey from Vietnam to the courts is inspirational and is a story of determination.

 Quan started playing tennis at age 14 with no prior experience. He worked hard to improve and practiced as much as he could; you’d always find him at the court. . He has worked his way up to the top with college-level playing and now provides students with lessons and advice that take them just as far. 

Now he brings that passion to coaching. Tennis for Quan is more than a game. It helps with confidence and perseverance. 

Serving Inspiration

Coach Quan does what he loves most right here in Harrison, helping kids grow through tennis while also having fun: “The best part is watching the kids have fun and get better,” he said, “When they recognize their improvement, it’s great to see.” After teaching math in Rye, Coach Quan heads straight out to the courts after a long day at school.

Started With A Racket 

Coach Quan’s quest began in Vietnam, where his father had fought in the war. Between 1979 and 1980, his family moved to the United States in search of a better life. He kept playing at public courts until he was good enough to play in college. Although he was cut from the high school team, he never quit: “There was no JV team, so I just put in the work,” he said; “I ended up playing two years of college tennis.”

Over the years, he continued putting in his all. He has run cross country, played baseball and soccer, studied abroad, taught middle school math, and coached tennis: “I’ve been teaching for about 27 years,” he said. 

For him, tennis is not just a sport, but a reflection of life lessons: “It’s all about perseverance, never giving up, and always getting better.”

Over and Above

Quan always emphasizes how anyone can get better. All his advice can be summed up as: “Keep playing and keep practicing, you’ll appreciate it more as you get older.” For him, he is emphasizing how tennis, it applies to everyday life, that when you practice more, you will be more open to practicing everything as you get older, and the more you practice, the better you get.

He believes that you should take time and step away from the world and the distractions of everyday life in any context. That includes no phones and no distractions, just a racket, a ball, and a partner: “You only need one other person to get better.” He said, “The more time you put in, the better you’re going to get.”