With more than 87,000 square feet of fun and fitness, Lincoln Racquet Club is Lincoln’s premier family health and fitness complex. The Lincoln Racquet Club facility features multiple fitness areas, an indoor track, a collegiate size basketball court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, three group fitness studios, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, four racquetball courts, steam rooms, a hot tub, a massage therapy center, tanning rooms, meeting rooms, a kid’s gym for ages 5-11 years, a nursery for infants through 5 years old, and a pro shop. Rick Stempson is the Tennis Director at Lincoln Racquet Club.
How did you get started in the business? – I was the University of Nebraska Men’s Assistant Tennis Coach and also the Hillcrest Country Club’s Director of Tennis for 10 years. I was asked to become the Tennis Director at LRC in 2009 and have loved every minute of it.
I give private and group tennis lessons and also run leagues, tournaments, and social events.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I have had about ten kids that I have worked with closely go on and play college tennis, and I am very proud when I see them taking their talents to the college level. There is nothing better than seeing someone set a goal, work his/her tail off, and see the rewards for it. And to know you had a small piece in that is icing on the cake.
Tell me a little about your family. – I have been married to my wife, Kari, for 6 years and have 3 daughters: Stella is 5, Pearl is 2, and Shiloh was just born September 20th. And yes, all of them will play tennis.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Would love to play some golf in the morning, go for a run in the afternoon, write for an hour (and it was good stuff) and then hang with my family at a park. That would be a perfect day.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – My best friend, Andy Stock, and I wrote two screenplays that have been made into movies. The first is called “Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach.” It is about a Nebraska high school tennis coach that becomes obsessed with winning the state tennis title. It stars Seann William Scott (Stifler from American Pie) and Randy Quaid. Our second movie to be made is called “The Goods” and stars Jeremy Piven and Will Ferrell. It is about a team of used car liquidators. We continue to write each day and are deep into a television pilot that we are excited about.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I always knew I would work with young people in some capacity. I think being a teacher and having a real impact on kids’ lives would be a pretty cool way to make a living.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – My wife and I love La Paz. I think they know us by name, or at least by what we order.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – I would love to have dinner with Derek Jeter, as I am a die-hard Yankees fan. I’m going to cry like a baby when that guy retires. By the way, he would pick up the check, correct?
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Stop by Lincoln Racquet Club or visit www.lincolnracquetclub.com.