Kevin has been a member of the Overland Park Racquet Club staff since January 2008.
Kevin is the son of Scott and Monica Hammell. His father was an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force until Kevin graduated high school and, as a result, he grew up in various parts of the United States during his childhood. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, and has lived in Illinois, Alabama, Alaska, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
He played competitive soccer throughout his childhood years until converting to tennis at the end of his sophomore year of high school in 1996. Just a few short months later in the summer of 2006 and one summer later in 2007, Kevin spent several weeks in Hilton Head Island, S.C. where he attended the Van Der Meer Tennis University. He played varsity tennis for Bishop Ireton High School and was on the junior competition team at Mount Vernon Health and Racquet Club in Alexandria, Virginia.
During his college years at the University of Oklahoma, Hammell studied communication and earned a minor in French. While playing matches at Westwood Tennis Center in Norman, OK, Kevin was approached by the Director of Tennis and asked to help with teaching junior programs. Upon receiving his certification in 2001 from the United States Professional Tennis Association, he accepted a position as assistant professional and Director of Adult Programs at Westwood. During his three years at Westwood, Kevin also inherited a struggling boys’ tennis program at Norman North High School. In three years’ time, he was able to elevate the program and consistently qualify players into the state tournament; something that had yet to be accomplished by previous coaches.
Following Westwood Tennis Center, Kevin served as the Director of Women’s Programs at Genesis Health Club in Wichita, Kansas. Following one year of service with Genesis, Kevin was offered the Head Professional position at Ponca City Country Club in Ponca City, Oklahoma. As the only professional at PCCC, Kevin was in charge of all tennis operations including ownership of the tennis shop. In September of 2006, Kevin joined Blue Hills Country Club as a Staff/Academy Professional until December of 2007.
Kevin has also coached the Oklahoma District (12s and 14s Team) and Heart of America (12s Team) in several Missouri Valley competitions.
Kevin has a passion for the game of tennis and still competes in USTA Tournaments and TenCap tennis.
