A longtime Neenah resident and former college tennis standout, Dan Grassl has been named the head coach of the Neenah High School varsity girls tennis program.
Grassl has lived in Neenah for 20 years and been active in the city’s youth sports programs. A De Pere native, Grassl played collegiately for four seasons at Michigan Tech University from 1996-99 and ranks sixth in school history in career singles wins and fifth in career doubles victories.
Grassl coached youth tennis programs in the Green Bay area while in high school and assisted with the Michigan Tech women’s tennis program while in college. Most recently, he has taught lessons at Valley Fitness and Athletics in Fox Crossing. Grassl works as an engineer at Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Neenah.
“I’m excited to really continue the incredible tennis tradition here in Neenah,” Grassl said. “This group is very talented and I’m excited to see them all grow and compete at a high level.”
The Rockets went 16-1 during the WIAA alternate spring season in 2020-21, suffering their only loss in the state championship match 4-3 to Middleton in May. Grassl replaces Kyle Falk, who resigned at the end of the season and will continue as Neenah’s head boys’ tennis coach. The Neenah girls’ team enters the season having won eight consecutive Fox Valley Association championships and 74 consecutive dual matches against FVA opponents.
“The biggest challenge is understanding all the girls’ talent levels as far as where they’ve been and where they want to get to,” Grassl said. “My favorite part of coaching is building youth and getting them to their goals in tennis and life.”
Grassl will hold an athlete-parent meeting on Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Neenah High School in Room 148. Anyone interested in participating this season is encouraged to attend. The first practice is set for Tuesday, August 10.
