Growing up, Pat was ranked #1 in his age group from age 12 to 18 for the state of Nebraska. In his freshman year at Pius X, Pat played #2 singles under coach John Riggs, and he won the state singles championship to help the team win their second team championship. Pat also ran on the track team under coach George O’Boyle at Pius X to help his endurance for tennis.
After high school, Pat went on to play tennis at the University of Nebraska, where he and partner Mike Marsh became the first doubles team from Nebraska to win a Big 8 championship title. Pat credits much of his success to Nebraska tennis coach Kerry McDermott, and Pat also worked with coach McDermott as an assistant coach for the Nebraska tennis team. Pat says that without coach McDermott’s focus and motivation, he would not have been the player he was.
As an adult, Pat was ranked #1 in Nebraska Men’s Open Tennis in both singles and doubles. His passion for tennis led him to open PJ’s Racket Works, a tennis and racquetball shop that successfully operated for 10 years, where he was fortunate to be able to work along with his parents. Pat then moved to California to work as a professional tennis instructor where he taught for several tennis clubs and hotels. (Pat says that two of his most memorable lessons were when he taught Dustin Hoffman and Arnold Schwarzenegger!) Today, Pat works in real estate and continues to enjoy tennis with his brother and nephew Shane.
