Sue Minchau, a name that is well known in the tennis realm not only throughout Johnstown, Pennsylvania, but across the country as well. As a past high school tennis coach at Westmont Hilltop High School for nearly 30 years, she has been recognized nationally for her accomplishments and her love of the game. She strives for more than just success as she continues to advance her education in coaching in order to help her students excel. Minchau manages to gain extensive knowledge of teaching the sport and always brings it back home to Johnstown.
How did you become involved in tennis?
My father, William “Bill” Hinkel, was known as “Mr. Tennis” in Johnstown. I took lessons from my father and stayed locally with competition. I started to teach tennis with his supervision at age fourteen and began coaching at Westmont Hilltop in 1981. In 1983, I started going to the National Tennis Teachers Conference annually. In 1993, I became a certified teaching professional with the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). In 1995, I received my certification as a member of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR).
You were recognized by the Professional Tennis Registry as the 2005 National High School Tennis Coach of the Year. How did that occur?
It was the biggest highlight of my career. In 2004, Dan Santorum, the CEO of PTR, told me that coaches come to one or two of the national meetings, learn what they can, and return home, but he noticed that I attended every year. He wanted to know what else I did for tennis in our community. I taught classes with students from age 5, girls and boys high school tennis, and adult sessions. The Professional Tennis Registry was going to honor me at the International Tennis Symposium in Hilton Head, South Carolina in February.
What was the actual award presentation like?
The man who presented the award to me was the former mayor of New York City, David Dinkins. What an honor. I mean are you serious? I had to give a speech in front of 500 people who are much better known in this game than me. I always say I’m a small person from a small town. I used a quote from the president of the USTA, Les Snyder. He said, “No one ever owns the spot of being number one. You only rent the space. And the rent is due every time you take the court.” I was impressed with what he said because it hit so close to home. I have been fortunate to be with the best and the brightest professionals of this sport. I love to see my students excel and that’s why I continue to advance my education in teaching. In 2007, I attended the International Symposium and was asked to give a motivational speech for the coaches who were in attendance. I thought as a teacher of the sport, what can I give to the coaches of the nation? I told them about “Small Pearls of Wisdom” that can help students during a match. What I like to do was to help the students learn and perform to their ability. “Set yourself up for success.” That is number one. The “Pearls of Wisdom” were published in PTR’s magazine and circulated around the world. These things can be applied to tennis, but more importantly, to life.
You were inducted into the Cambria County Hall of Fame in 2006. What was that like?
In order to get into the Hall of Fame, you have to go beyond our local limits. You have to excel in whatever your sport is. You can be good in Johnstown, but you have to be state and nationally recognized. Only two tennis players have been recognized.
Your overall record for Westmont was 575-140, which is better than most. How did you achieve such success?
It’s not me, it’s the students. The high school girls and boys have all succeeded and that’s why I like what I have done. I want to help them grow and mature and be the best they could be. I continued to educate myself so I would be the best I could be for the position that I held. I learned everything I could and brought it back home to my students so that they could be at their best. That’s what I try to do with tennis. I encourage the next generation so that they can have a lifetime of enjoyment with tennis.
