HighFIVE: Kim Greason
H5 Episode 38 / Summer 2020 / by Katie Newell
Born into a tennis family, and armed with a fierce combination of skill and passion for the game, 2020 USPTA Intermountain Tennis Pro of the Year Kim Greason has come full circle dedicating herself to the Arvada community that raised her to become a top influencer in the game.
The All-American player racked up titles and honors from high school to college, including being ranked No. 3 in the nation in Division II tennis and winning back-to-back Rolex Regional Championships. She was inducted with her 1992 team into the University of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame Class of 2008-2009.
Now Head Professional at Apex Tennis Center and in her 18th year as head coach at Ralston Valley High School, Kim draws on life experiences to help her create thriving programs.
The programs have been so successful at Apex, in fact, that they had over 270 sign-ups for the Apex Junior Championships in July. Handling the tournament safely during these unprecedented days was no easy feat, but the participation reflects Kim’s commitment to giving young athletes an opportunity to play and experience some normalcy in otherwise crazy times.
The commitment to create opportunities for people to play is deep-seeded in Kim, planted by her father, Arvada tennis legend, Jack Ponis, who passed away last July.
Kim fondly reflects of the man who instilled in her that everyone should be welcome onto the courts and given the tools to succeed. She explained how he would see kids standing outside of the courts and how he would invite them to come in and try tennis, handing them a racquet and teaching them to play.
After finishing a successful collegiate career, Kim trekked across the country, temporarily hung up her racquet for a high profile career as a sports broadcaster. This experience helped her overcome industry stereotypes and further defined the path she wanted to take in her life.
“Broadcasting ultimately taught me what I really wanted to do was tell the story,” she said. “I liked writing and producing and creating, all of which help me in current roles.”
Balancing two successful programs within the constraints of the current Covid situation has been extremely challenging, but she has worked hard to give hope to devastated young players whose seasons have been cancelled and whose futures are uncertain.
“I tell players it’s temporary and right now it’s really hard. But tennis is going to be a lifelong opportunity to be part of something special,” she said.
Looking to the future, Kim is thrilled to be at Apex, surrounded by amazing professionals such as Luke Snyder and Woody Oliver. Describing the facility as the best of both worlds, she sees public courts and affordable tennis as the perfect stage to find kids who love the sport and want to experience it at the next level.
“I found that tennis can provide for you what you want it to provide – whether it’s that time with friends, your college scholarship, or a way to just burn calories – it’s there for you. If you are 86-years-old and want to learn topspin, you can! What you put into it is what you are going to get out of it.”
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