Jay is the son of the club’s founder Steve Morgan, became the club manager in 1981 and has been the South Barrington Park District Executive Director since 2007. His playing career includes four years at Barrington High School (1968-1972) and four years at Bradley University. Jay has been a USPTA member for over 30 years. Contact Jay at jmorgan@sbpd.net

Kurt Kopp has dedicated more than 30 years to the tennis industry as a Director, Coach, Player, and Racquet Sports Professional. Throughout his career, Kurt has remained passionate about growing the game, developing players of all levels, and creating a positive environment where tennis can truly become a lifelong sport.

Kurt is an RSPA Elite professional, a PTR professional and specializes in high-performance coaching. He has spent his career coaching players ranging from beginners and recreational competitors to nationally and internationally competitive athletes.

Kurt continues to compete at the highest levels of Masters tennis. In 2024, Kurt and doubles partner Dana Gill completed the prestigious USTA Golden Slam, capturing four USTA National Championships in the Men's 55s division: the National Hard Courts, National Indoors, National Grass Courts, and National Clay Courts.

In 2025, Kurt represented the United States at the ITF Masters World Team Championships as a member of the Austria Cup team. Team USA captured the World Championship, giving Kurt the honor of representing his country and becoming an ITF Masters World Team Champion.

Kurt returned to international competition in 2026, once again representing Team USA at the ITF Masters World Championships. Following the team competition, Kurt and Dana Gill advanced to the final of the ITF Masters World Doubles Championships, earning the silver medal and finishing second in the world.

One of Kurt's most meaningful tennis experiences has been competing alongside his son, Brayden. Kurt and Brayden have competed nationally in the Father/Son competition, including reaching the finals of the USTA National Father/Son Indoor Championships at the South Barrington Club, an event Kurt is also proud to help host and direct.

Away from the court, Kurt is equally proud of his two sons, Brayden and Ian. Brayden has competed in collegiate tennis and has followed his father into the tennis industry as a teaching professional. Ian is an entrepreneur/avid golfer and the founder of Vincere Marketing Solutions.

After more than three decades in the industry, Kurt's enthusiasm for tennis remains as strong as ever. His teaching philosophy combines technical and tactical development, hard work, competitiveness, and a positive attitude. Whether working with a young player picking up a racquet for the first time, a competitive junior pursuing the next level, or an adult who simply loves the game, Kurt believes that tennis provides opportunities, relationships, and experiences that last a lifetime.

"I firmly believe tennis is a lifelong sport, and I look forward to continuing to serve our members and their tennis needs at the South Barrington Club."

PTR Level 1 Certified Coach

PPR Level 1 Certified Coach

Tanya has been working in the Tennis Industry for over 20 years as a Tennis Professional, Administrator and Coach. She is a PTR Certified Tennis Coach and a PPR Certified Pickleball Professional. She has coached college tennis at the NCAA Division I and III levels. Tanya played NCAA Division I tennis at De Paul University. She is a former Elementary School Teacher who has a Master of Education. She has a daughter who played NCAA Division I tennis at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. She will start her Master’s Degree in Sports Management this Fall 2026 at CSU while helping with the tennis team.  Tanya also has a son who just completed his Freshman year at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.   He is currently playing NCAA Division II golf. Tanya, along with her husband Mike and two children, received the USTA Midwest Section Family of the Year 2024 award in Detroit, Michigan. 

​Tanya enjoys teaching Red, Orange and Green Ball players as well as all levels of Adults. 

Contact Tanya to enroll in our Junior/ Adult lessons, schedule a try out or make up class.  thaber@sbpd.net

Brandon Dechter is excited to lead the platform tennis program as Director at South Barrington Club, bringing energy, match-play strategy, and a passion for paddle. He is dedicated to growing the platform tennis legacy and community at SBC, creating competitive and social opportunities for players of all levels.

He holds PTR, PPTR, and PPR certifications—for tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball—and focuses on developing technical and tactical skills in a welcoming, social environment.

Brandon previously served as Director of Junior Tennis at SBC and continues to coach juniors, manage the Junior Travel Team (JTT) program), and support USTA events. Under his leadership, the JTT program has expanded, giving more juniors structured match-play opportunities and pathways to compete at higher levels. He also coaches private and group lessons for all ages and helps coordinate club events, including the SBC Tennis Carnival.

A former collegiate tennis player and co-captain of the UW–Whitewater men’s team, Brandon combines competitive experience with strategic insight to deliver smart, intentional coaching. He actively competes in tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball tournaments, including the Chicago Charities Grand Prix APTA and the Cabin Fever Classic. He is also a member of the SBC team that won the APTA Chicago Series 4 Playoffs 

Brandon welcomes members and their families to reach out with questions, schedule a lesson, or connect about racquet sports at bdechter@sbpd.net.

Bill has been teaching tennis since 1996 and at the South Barrington Club since 2008.  He played Division I college tennis for the University of Illinois at Chicago where he also earned degrees in Kinesiology and Business Management.  Bill has recently held the Chicago District and Midwest Section number one ranking in mixed doubles in the open division.                                  

Contact Bill at bschmidt@sbpd.net

Brayden  has been playing tennis since the age of four and brings over a decade of coaching experience, having started teaching at just 16 years old. As both a high-level competitor and experienced coach, he is passionate about helping players of all ages and skill levels reach their goals. As a player, Brayden competed for six years at the collegiate level, primarily playing No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. He competed on nationally ranked NCAA Division III teams before becoming a Top 50 nationally ranked player in the NAIA, earning First Team All-Conference honors and recording a victory over a Top 20 nationally ranked NAIA opponent. Outside of collegiate tennis, Brayden has also achieved national success in Father-Son competition, reaching as high as No. 5 in the country while earning both a USTA Silver Ball and Bronze Ball. He continues to train and compete with aspirations of playing professionally.  Contact Brayden-bkopp@sbpd.net
 

Geghard Najarian grew up in a family of tennis players and started at age six and two years later he was in tournaments.  His father was his first coach and instilled in him passion for the game. He competed in the Pan-Armenian Olympic Games with his twin brother in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Coaching young friends for fun became a career and watching their progress was incredibly gratifying.  He has varied and extensive experience with private and group classes for all age groups. Certifications include PTR 11 to 17, USTA Coach Youth, and Adult Cardio tennis. Geghard’s local experience includes coaching at TAM Tennis Club, Deer Creek Racquet Club and he served as Head Coach for the Men and Women’s Tennis teams at Oakton College.

He enjoys teaching all ages and all skill levels from beginner to advanced.  This coach is still passionate about the game of tennis and wants to grow the game of tennis, not only for the players he coaches but also within the larger community and nationwide. Geghard enthusiastically dedicates his time not only to his full-time role as a telecom engineer but also to his love for tennis, immersing himself in both pursuits with equal fervor.

Sarkis  is a certified PTR Coach with a background in competitive play and structured player development. As a Grade 3 Referee, he has experience within high level competitive environments, including ITF tournaments, providing strong insight into match dynamics, standards, and performance demands.His coaching focuses on developing complete players through technical precision, tactical clarity, and mental resilience, with an emphasis on translating training into consistent match performance. With experience across junior and adult coaching, private lessons, clinics, and team programs, he creates a structured, high energy environment where players are challenged to improve, compete with confidence, and build lasting passion for the game.  

Lisa learned how to play tennis at South Barrington Club at the age of 4. She attended Bowling Green State University and played four years of collegiate tennis while earning her degree in Elementary Education.  Shortly after college, she moved to San Diego and taught tennis/pickleball at the Rancho Bernardo Swim and Tennis Club for the past 20 years. Recently her family moved back to Barrington. Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan, daughter Bailey, son Levi, and dogs
Daisy and Luna. As a family they enjoy being active, spending days at the lake, and adventuring outdoors. Contact Lisa at lpearson@sbpd.net
 

Randy was a three time State qualifier in High School – top 16 in state in both singles and doubles. He lettered in Tennis at Northern Illinois University from 1984-1989 and played USTA professional satellite circuit summer of 1993. Randy started teaching tennis in 1990 as apprentice Pro under USTA Hall of Fame Coach Jack Sharpe at the Aurora Tennis Club, he also coached Northern Illinois Tennis Association Boy’s Junior Davis Cup Team from 1990-1992.  He was ranked Number 1 in Northern Illinois Tennis Association Men’s Open in 1989, ranked Number 1 in Chicago District Men’s Open 2000, ranked Number 1 in Chicago District Men’s 35 Division 2001. Randy is USPTA certified, and senior staff pro at the South Barrington Club with 25 years of service.  Contact Randy at rpanagopoulos@sbpd.net

Yohan is USPTR certified and has over 25 years of teaching and playing experience. As one of our part time tennis pros, Yohan teaches both adults and children of all skills and abilities in the evening and on weekends.

Ro has been an accomplished player and Coach for over 20 years.  He holds PTR and PPR professional certifications and enjoys bringing energy and a passion for developing competitive players.  A graduate of Indiana University with a background in education, he is proud to have guided hundreds of students of all ages and levels to higher levels of ability, including several state and nationally ranked juniors.  

Arthur  has over 25 years of experience in multiple facets of tennis. Until recently at the Wilmette Tennis Club Arthur taught all levels of adult drills, beginner to advanced adult and junior classes, and private and semi-private lessons for kids and adults.