Meet the Pros


Brit Coleman Director of Tennis
bcoleman@asag.net
Brit has been developing junior tennis programs with community service in mind and community involvement as a primary goal. Known as “Mr. Sunshine” to junior players, Brit remains dedicated to sustaining a strong family-oriented tennis program at WRTF.
John Faribault Teaching Pro
John is a retired Baylor University Senior Lecturer and Coordinator for Lifetime Fitness, Department of Health, Human Performance, Recreation. He has over 40 years of teaching beginning, intermediate and advanced tennis, plus certifications as a Professional from the Professional Tennis Registry and Tennis Serve Specialist through the Kovacs Institute. John spent 10 years coaching for Baylor University Women’s Tennis and consulting for Men’s Tennis serve development. During that time, Baylor Women’s Tennis Team garnered numerous Big XII Championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and All-Americans, #1 national season ranking, two Team NCAA Semi-final appearances; and one NCAA Singles Champion. When John is not coaching tennis, he enjoys playing golf.
Kenna Kilgo Director of Junior Tennis
kkilgo@asag.net
Kenna Kilgo served five seasons as the Associate Head Coach for the Iowa State Tennis Team and was instrumental in the most successful era in the history of the program. She is a three-time ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year and a ITA National Assistant coach of the year finalist. In her final season with the Cyclones in 2022-2023, ISU had its most impressive season. The Cyclones finished 21-6 overall and reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Championships. We are very lucky to have Kenna on our team!
Blake Starkey Director of Adult Tennis
bstarkey@asag.net
Blake grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and in Palestine, Texas. He was a regular on the Texas junior circuit and played for Eastern Kentucky University on a full scholarship. Over his career, he has helped develop numerous players who went on to play collegiately, and/or professionally. In his coaching career, Blake served as the Head Tennis Coach for the University of Missouri Tigers. Prior to Mizzou, Blake coached the Maryland Terrapins in the Big 10 for five seasons. He guided both Maryland and Mizzou to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearances, and still holds the record for most team wins for any tennis coach in Mizzou program history. When not on court, Blake enjoys spending time with family, travel, chess, biking, cooking and occasionally watching Netflix. Blake’s wife, Julie, is the Dean of Student Development at Central Texas College. Blake and Julie have two grown children, Emily and Samuel.
Jodi Thurman Pickleball Instructor
jthurman@asag.net
Jodi earned her Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration from Texas State Technical College. She has lived in the Central Texas area since 1987 and retired from McLennan County’s Information Technology department. Jodi has a background in competitive racquetball, but she found her love of pickleball in 2018. She is an avid pickleball player and competes in tournaments throughout the country. She has participated in other sports as well including long distance cycling, running (from 5Ks to full marathons), triathlons, golf and softball. Jodi is the USA Pickleball Ambassador for the Waco area and became Head Pro of Pickleball at Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center in 2021. She has a passion for teaching new players as well as coaching others to advance and refine their skills. She holds a Level 1 Certification from the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA).

Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness
900 W Lake Shore Dr.
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 753-7675
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