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Professional Tennis Management Assistant Director, Program Alumnus Wins Regional `Under 30' Award

Mike JanzMike Janz, a 2014 graduate of Ferris State University’s Professional Tennis Management program and PTM’s assistant director, holds his 2020 “Under 30” award from the United States Professional Tennis Association’s Midwest Division. Janz’ selection for the honor acknowledges his contributions to the industry and education in the formative stages of his career.

A 2014 graduate of Ferris State University’s Professional Tennis Management program has received the United States Professional Tennis Association’s “Under 30” award from its Midwest Division.

Mike Janz returned to Ferris to assistant director of PTM in 2018 after gaining professional experience at tennis facilities in Alpena and Saginaw.

“Working in northern lower Michigan and Mid-Michigan allowed me to experience many aspects of small and medium-size operations,” Janz said. “I also had a position as a production manager with Tennis Analytics, a Utah-based company, where we gathered video at various competitive levels, from amateur to college and professional matches. It has been great to have this variety of experience to discuss with our PTM students, so they understand their options.”

PTM Program Director Derek Ameel nominated Janz for the honor, with Mike providing information to the USPTA’s Midwest Division on his professional efforts, along with those on the court and in the classroom during the last two years at Ferris.

“The ‘Under 30’ award goes to USPTA-certified instructors to acknowledge their contributions to the industry, professional facilities and other activities that benefit the sport of tennis,” Janz said. “We are striving to help our students become well-rounded young adults who will go on to lead the tennis industry. As a former PTM student, I believe I can relate well to them about what the program requires while taking their concerns and feelings into account. The main goal is to give students the opportunity to learn and pursue excellence in our field.”

Janz said a Google search in his senior year of high school brought him from Jefferson, Wisconsin, to Big Rapids and the Ferris PTM program.

“I entered the phrase ‘tennis jobs,’ and the Ferris program was the third result on the list,” Janz said. “At the time, it looked like I was headed to a college in the northwest part of Wisconsin, to study and become a Social Studies teacher, as I am from a family of schoolteachers. I am so glad that I made the choice to do what I love through the Ferris PTM program because it has proven to be a perfect match for me.”