Ken DeHart, an Indiana native, is inducted into the Campbellsville University Hall of Fame for his years of success and dedication to the sport of tennis.
DeHart graduated from Campbellsville College in 1970. He was honored to be selected as the Junior Class President, as well as Mr. Campbellsville College, during his senior year.
DeHart first learned to play tennis during his first year of college. He had never played the game nor watched a match. He bought his first racquet and began to play with his roommate. Coach Helen Osborne allowed him to practice and manage the team. DeHart and Kenny Hurt won the KIAC Conference #3 Doubles Championship during his junior year. Eventually, DeHart would become CO-MVP with captain Steve Small.
After obtaining his master's degree from WKU, DeHart taught Distributive Education at Campbellsville High and coached Boy's Tennis for three years. Upon receiving his first full-time job offer, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to become the Director of Tennis at Sequoia Swim & Tennis Club. He also worked as the Director of Tennis at the prestigious Woodmont Country Club and Director of Tennis at the largest club in Nashville, the Maryland Farm Racquet and Country Club.
DeHart left Nashville, TN, to become the first Executive Director of the Professional Tennis Registry, working with the world-famous Dennis Van der Meer on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He would oversee 7,000 tennis professionals and coach education and professional certification worldwide. In 1985, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to become the Director of Tennis at the Western Reserve Club. Following his move to Arizona, DeHart became the Director of Tennis at the famous Beverly Hills Tennis Club.
DeHart met and married his actress wife, Karen, in Beverly Hills. They have lived in San Jose, California, for the past 25 years. He is currently the Director of Racquets at Alpine Hills in Portola Valley. They have a 23-year-old son, Kameron, who also plays tennis. Karen and Kameron have traveled around the world to follow Ken's tennis career.
DeHart became one of the eight original PTR International Master Professionals, a USPTA Master Professional, two-time PTR International Pro of the Year, four-time USPTA Divisional Pro of the Year, and co-published the International Book of Drills with Dennis Van der Meer. He was the eighth inductee into the PTR Hall of Fame, along with Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Dennis Van der Meer, and many others. He was inducted into the NorCal USPTA Hall of Fame and awarded the USPTA Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime commitment to the sport of tennis.
DeHart won the gold medal in Men's 50 and 55 singles at the Huntsman World Senior Games, silver and bronze medals in the Nike World Senior Games, and two gold medals in the Bay Area Senior Games. He has traveled the world to speak at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open, Coaches Conferences, and many different countries.
As an international speaker on tennis, games, drills, and mental skills training, DeHart has published two books, written for most tennis magazines, and has over 8,000 followers on Facebook.
