Johnny Van Session has taken his job as a tennis-teaching professional to the streets – literally. This Professional 2 USPTA pro became a tennis teacher in 1997 to get inner-city kids off the streets and into playing tennis.

It may be just a coincidence that Johnny’s regular job is as streets coordinator for the city of Daytona Beach, Fla. He has worked for the city since 1976. Although he coordinates streets full time, he also uses his tennis skills as a teacher for the city, and serves as a special projects coordinator. He has run a tennis program in Daytona Beach since 1998.

Johnny works as a tennis pro for and is president of Kidsports, Another Option to Alcohol, Drugs & Crime Inc. Through his work with this and other tennis programs in the community, Johnny has realized his greatest accomplishment, which is introducing 4,000 kids and adults to tennis. During this time, he was also instrumental in refurbishing the city of Daytona Beach’s old tennis courts so they could be used for lessons and play.

The tennis community has recognized him for his volunteer efforts many times over. Johnny received an outstanding achievement award in 1998 from the Tennis Patrons of Greater Daytona Beach and the Daytona Beach City Commissioners. He was also recognized for his extraordinary efforts to promote and develop adult and junior tennis in Daytona Beach and received the 2001 NJTL Chapter of the Year award and the 2002 USTA Eve Kraft Community Service award. Other groups that have honored Johnny include Daytona Beach’s Juneteenth Committee, the USTA Florida Section and the Volusia County Schools.

Johnny has served tennis in his community as a volunteer for USA Tennis 1-2-3, an NJTL Inner-city coordinator, and a member of the tennis council committee that partnered with local schools to integrate tennis into the regular physical education program. He was recognized for his volunteer efforts on behalf of the Turie T. Small Field Day and Elementary School. For these efforts, Johnny was given the 2001 Principal’s Award for Teamwork and Loyalty in the Pursuit of the Goals for Turie T. Small Elementary.

So, what is Johnny’s motivation to continue his work in tennis? According to him, he enjoys working with other tennis teachers and people involved in the volunteer effort. He feels his expertise is teaching large and mixed groups of children and adults.

A life member of the American Tennis Association, Johnny is also a member of the PTR and helped set up its ACE program in the Daytona Beach area.

Johnny attended Daytona Beach Community College and the University of Central Florida. He received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His MBA studies included an accounting specialization.

Although Johnny has played league tennis, most of his playing is now limited to the time he spends on the courts with children.

Future goals are to keep working with inner-city children and to make children’s lives better through his efforts.