Meet our Director of Racquet Sports, Travis Debardelaben!
With over 40 years of experience and education, Travis has come full circle from a junior athlete, Auburn University and Huntingdon College player, to a satellite professional tennis player. He went on to become an assistant and head college ladies coach, to an assistant and head tennis professional, to director of tennis, and now director of racquet sports.
Travis loves growing relationships through racquet sports where God has blessed him, but most of all appreciates building and being the first to start and try new things. Change is tough for everyone but he finds passion in helping his clients grow both on and off the court. He looks forward to building a successful program here at Saugahatchee.
Travis has achieved almost every employee and teaching honor possible in a tennis career, but now he steers toward racquet sports, the trend of the future. Both classic sports like tennis, and newer growing sports like pickleball present unique combinations of decision-making and reaction skills he is passionate about passing on to his students.
Travis’ family are the joy of his life, and all play racquets sports. His wife Alicia plays tennis and pickleball at a high level. His son Tanner plays college tennis currently at Birmingham Southern College; and daughter Robin is a motor skills athlete who will give anyone a run for their money while smiling with joy. The greatest honor was our family being named Family of the Year by the USTA Alabama.
Travis looks to many new learning and teaching techniques with all he and his family will encounter here at the Club.
You will hear him say often, “You Gotta Love the Battle”. Through faith and family, he reminds himself that God is great always, and in all ways and tries to embody that sentiment in every part of his life.
We are so lucky to have him, and members be on the lookout for details on clinics and camps that will be happening soon!
