Kenny Callender

 

Wilbur Kennard Callender Jr. “Kenny” was born in Clinton, Maryland. His father, a former college tennis player, (Howard University) would always play tennis with one of his older sisters (also a former Howard tennis player). That was his motivation.

 

He began taking tennis seriously. He became one of the top juniors in his section and was nationally ranked. Along the way he won multiple (ATA National Junior Championships). The ATA Nationals was created (1917) at a time when Blacks could not play in USTA Tournaments. Kenny earned a tennis scholarship to the University of Louisville then Howard University. After transferring to Howard, Kenny would lead the HU men’s team in wins in the 1995-96 and the 1996-97 seasons. Kenny consistently played the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions while at Howard. Additionally, he was one of the top players in the MEAC during his years at Howard.

 

After graduation he would play Davis Cup for the Virgin Islands in 1998, 1999 and 2003. He was a singles player on the 2003 team that won promotion into group 3.

 

As a coach, Kenny has coached many nationally ranked junior players who have gone on to receive college scholarships. He also became a Davis Cup and Pan American Games coach for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kenny has worked at several high-profile tennis clubs. He also worked for the department of Parks and Recreation in D.C. Currently, he is a coach for the USTA (United States Tennis Association). He works on the USTA Campus in Orlando, FL., which is the largest tennis facility in the world.

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