Patrick Fragassi is the Winnetka Park District tennis manager, a 1990 New Trier Township High School graduate, and is married with a 10-year-old son. He was raised in Wilmette.
Q: Please describe what you do.
A: I started at the ice rink and golf course and then made my way over to the tennis center as an assistant manager. A year and a half ago, I was promoted to the role of tennis manager. I’m a certified tennis instructor, and mainly I teach cardio tennis. I work with NSSRA (Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association). It’s very rewarding working with players of all abilities.
Q: Some people might say you have a dream job. Do you?
A: I do in a lot of different ways. I get to work with a great group of patrons. I’ve been surrounded by incredible, experienced staff, and I came to this building not having experience in the game of tennis. I was certified to teach and basically learned the game through learning how to teach. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Tim Schmidt, who was the tennis manager who hired and mentored me over the last 18 years.
Q: You’re a former Trevians football player. You’re also a recreational basketball player who shoots hoops and now owns the game of tennis. A perfect match?
A: I wish I would have played the game earlier, but I also know I have a lot of years ahead of me and that’s the beauty of tennis. It’s a lifelong sport that has many benefits, including physical, mental and social for all, at all levels, from those who play in a wheelchair to those who have played 60 years or more.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: Stefan Xidas is a Special Olympian who tells me that when he’s on the tennis court, he doesn’t have a disability. When we’re on the tennis court, we escape our day-to-day challenges for a while, and that’s the beauty of the game.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.
