Jack Bethlenfalvy completed his 24th season of coaching women's tennis and teaching health and physical education service/ activity classes at Baldwin-Wallace College in 2007-2008. He is the winningest women's tennis coach in school history, the Dean of women's tennis coaches in the Ohio Athletic Conference and the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 OAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year.
Bethlenfalvy is a teacher and student of the game of tennis. His wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a player and current professional instructor, gives the B-W women's tennis student and athlete an added bonus. In addition, Bethlenfalvy makes the game of tennis both fun and challenging. Just ask his current and former players.
In the spring of 2007-2008, Bethlenfalvy's team compiled an 18-7 overall record while playing the most difficult schedule in the history of the program. His team had its second straight undefeated OAC regular season (9-0) and won its second consecutive OAC regular season and second straight OAC Tournament titles. His team also advanced to the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the second season in a row. For his efforts, Bethlenfalvy was named as the OAC Coach of the Year for the second straight season.
In the spring of 2006-2007, Bethlenfalvy's team set a school and OAC record for victories with 25, had a 25-3 slate, won the OAC regular season title (9-0), captured the OAC Tournament championship, earned the school's first-ever NCAA Division III National Tournament berth and won the school's and OAC's first-ever women's NCAA Tournament match. It led to his being named as the 2007 OAC Coach of the Year. In addition, Bethlenfalvy was the 1998 OAC Coach of the Year.
During his 24 years at B-W, Bethlenfalvy is the winningest women's tennis coach at the College and in the OAC with 265 victories. Overall, Bethlenfalvy has a 265-172 career record with a .606 winning percentage. His teams have had 20 seasons with a .500 or better record. In addition to his two straight OAC championship squads, his 1992 team finished 13-1 overall and his 1999 squad won an OAC title and finished 15-2 overall. Bethlenfalvy also was the 1999 OAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year. Every year, his team is a contender for the OAC title.
As a coach, Bethlenfalvy teaches the B-W women the fundamentals and competitive tennis strategy from his standpoint of both being a former standout player and as a former tennis professional. His emphasis is on helping each player grow to her fullest potential. Knowledge of the game and sportsmanship are high priorities with the head coach.
Bethlenfalvy is a 1968 graduate and former tennis standout at NCAA Division I Kent State University. Prior to coming to B-W, Bethlenfalvy built a successful high school program at Parma Senior High School (1968-74).
While at Kent State University, Bethlenfalvy was a men's tennis team captain, the team's Most Valuable Player, an All-Mid-American Conference player and a Mid-American Conference champion. Following his career at KSU, Bethlenfalvy was a ranked doubles player in Northeast Ohio.
Bethlenfalvy has been a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association (Pro I) since 1974. He also is a 1975 graduate of the Tennis Institute in New York City. Bethlenfalvy was the head professional at Big Creek Racquet Club from 1974-77 and at the River Run Racket Club in Strongsville from 1977 until 1999.
Bethlenfalvy resides in Parma, Ohio with his wife Sandy and two children. His son Brian was a member of the Yellow Jacket men's tennis team.
To reach Coach Bethlenfalvy via telephone, please call (440) 826-5931. You also can e-mail Coach Bethlenfalvy at jbethlen@bw.edu.
This page last updated on May 20, 2008.
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