HighFIVE: Diane Vartuli
H5 Episode 37 / Spring 2020 / by Katie Newell
Bringing the game of tennis to those who may not have had the opportunity before has been a long time passion for Diane Vartuli, recently retired Assistant Coach of Arapahoe High School and a tremendous proponent of the Racquets for All Program.
Diane is primarily responsible for both the boys and girls teams winning the High School Challenge seven times (a friendly competition among all Colorado high schools to see which can collect and donate the most racquets to the program). Collecting over 100 racquets each year has not only given countless young people the opportunity to play but has also provided Diane the platform to bring the community together.
“Tennis is a lifelong sport and so much fun. My goal is help people develop a passion for the game,” she said.
Mother to now three young adults, Michael, Giovanna and Julia (Michael and Julia were both varsity players at Arapahoe HS), Diane realized early on that tennis brought more than a physical benefit to kids.
“It’s such a good sport because it gives them confidence, and helps them learn how to strategize.”
The road from liking tennis to being passionate about it was short for Diane who was originally exposed to the game by friends in college. A strong athlete herself, she appreciated the fact the key to success of the game was more than just athleticism and heart, but a mental component that makes tennis challenging.
“I realized early that scrappy players could often beat players with prettier strokes, and that smart players can often beat better players,” she said.
Her commitment to spreading tennis into the underserved community started with a high school service project – a USTA Play Date for refugees under the direction of Kristy Harris, Director of Community Development for the Colorado Tennis Association. That opportunity to work with kids from 5-year-olds through high schoolers, made possible by donated racquets and sponsored practice, planted the seed in her that she could make a difference.
Kristy acknowledges the impact of that dedication.
“If more Dianes would get involved with their kids’ tennis teams and head up racquet collection efforts through the Racquets for All High School Challenge each season, we could make an even bigger impact, Kristy said. “Through her leadership, as the mother of tennis players on the Arapahoe High School team for 8 years, over 500 players in need of equipment gained the opportunity to play tennis. Imagine what would be possible if 5 or even 10 more people did this!”
While she is retired from her position at Arapahoe, she is anything but slowing down. Diane plans on spending more time with family including husband, Anthony, teaching private lessons and staying involved in tennis and her community.
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