Chisago Lakes Tennis
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Coaching Staff
Meet some of our coaches below. Some are coaches for CLHS and others just supporters/volunteer coaches for this great sport.
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AND PERHAPS YOU WANT TO HELP OUT! Whether or not you've ever coached tennis before, here's your opportunity. All you need is that willing attitude! So please, if you are interested at all in helping coach kids and/or adults to learn the game of tennis, let us know. Fill out the contact block at the bottom of this page and submit, and we'll be in touch. And thank you!
Meet Coach Ron.
At 67 year of age, Ron is an active tennis player playing 2 to 3 times a week year round. He loves the fact that he is better now than when he was younger, and that he can still hold his own against 30 year olds that are 4 to 4.5 players. Ron is also active in USTA leagues and has been to USTA Nationals in Phoenix, Tuscon, Palm Springs, and Orlando on a number of occasions.
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Like a lot of dads, Ron first coached because he had a kid on the team. Accordingly he first got into coaching a number of years ago when his daughter played on the CLHS Girls’ Tennis team. He was asked to coach the girls’ C-team at that time. He then went on from CLHS to coach tennis at Woodbury, Forest Lake, and Chisago Lakes High Schools. At Forest Lake, he was the Head Boys Coach for 4 years. Last season he was the Head Boys' Coach at CLHS. In all he coached 8 years of high school play.
In his own words: "Tennis keeps me young! I admittedly started coaching tennis because as a player myself I absolutely love the sport. I can now say though that I am passionate about helping the students I coach. I love the kids! I want them to not only strive for excellence in tennis, but also strive to become great human beings. I only hope that I can impact them to become balanced respectful grateful hardworking individuals that go forth in life and live accordingly.
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Note: Ron was recently approved as a Level 1 Tennis Instructor by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
Meet Coach Jon.
Jon Erickson is the CLHS Head Girls' Tennis team coach as well as a science teacher at the school. In his own words:
"My journey in coaching tennis started in 1993. As a 7th grade science teacher at Highview Middle School in the Mounds View School district, I was hired as a coach for the new middle school program. I immediately felt it was a great fit for me. After running this program for several years, I was sought out by the girls varsity coach to see if I would be interested in being an assistant coach with the Irondale High School Girls' team. Under the tutelage of Jed Knuttila, I coached the JV team for several years. Upon Jed’s retirement from the sport, I interviewed and took over the head coaching position. I stayed with that program until 2004.
In the fall of 2017, I joined the staff of the Chisago Lakes Girls' Tennis team as an assistant to Rebecca Lundeen and in 2018 I was given the opportunity to head coach the girls' team. I have been the head coach since then and have seen some great tennis.
Tennis is a great game. It requires athleticism, resilience and mental toughness. It also demands the rare qualities of etiquette, honesty and respect - all things that are great for young people to learn and apply. I hope you will make the decision to join our program. I think you will find the team a welcoming group of athletes, and the facilities second to none in the entire state of Minnesota. Go Wildcats!"
Meet Coach Steve.
Steve Otte is the Junior Varsity Coach for both the Girls' and Boys' CLHS Tennis teams. He also teaches Math at the Chisago Lakes Middle School. He has been involved with coaching for over 20 years now. His story:
"My tennis journey began in my youth when I discovered a tennis court just a block away from my house at the local school. Armed with an old racket and some tennis balls, I started practicing against the outside wall of that school. Seeking more engagement, I convinced a good friend to join me, and together, we spent the entire summer playing tennis on that court.
The subsequent summer marked a turning point as we gathered enough courage to venture to the main courts at the high school. Our passion for tennis ignited, and we played almost every day that summer. By the following spring, during my 7th-grade year, I joined the junior high team. The next year found me on the varsity tennis team, playing 2nd doubles as an 8th grader. It's worth noting that, at that time, a tennis team consisted of three singles players and two doubles teams. In the ensuing years, I progressed to playing first doubles, thoroughly enjoying the experience. My senior year elevated me to first singles. Although playing at the state level eluded me, I hold dear the memories created during my high school tennis journey.
My coaching venture began in my second year of teaching here at Chisago Lakes. The head boys tennis coach . . . sought someone to coach at the middle school—a perfect fit for me. . . Fast forward several years and various coaching positions later, I find myself the. . . assistant girls’ and boys’ coach and have thoroughly enjoyed the role I play working with Chisago Lakes athletes.
Reflecting on my time coaching tennis at Chisago Lakes, I find it truly rewarding. Working with students on and off the courts, building connections beyond the classroom, and observing their growth throughout their tennis journey.
Meet Coach Jake.
Jake Sauter began playing tennis in Pine City's summer rec program when he was 6 years old. He played for the Dragons in high school, winning individual conference titles 4 times, qualified for the individual state tournament three times, and was ranked in the top 5 in Class A in the state of Minnesota in his junior and senior years. He also played second singles on their 1990 team that took 4th place in the team state tournament. Jake went on to play at the University of Minnesota-Duluth after graduating high school in 1992.
Jake began coaching in 1996, and has coached tennis, hockey, and girls' softball at varying levels from youth to varsity. He enjoys the challenge of teaching others valuable life lessons through sports and has thoroughly enjoyed volunteering as an assistant for the boy's tennis team since he moved to the Chisago Lakes area in the fall of 2021 with his wife Jean, and children Rhivers, Tyler, and Audrina.
Meet Coach Jason.
Coach Jason Carlson is the Assistant Girls Varsity Tennis Coach at CLHS. He also helps run our Tuesday and Thursday evening tennis program in the summer. Jason has been coaching youth sports for over 25 years with organizations such as the YMCA, LARA, and CL Community Ed. As a multi-sport athlete at Eden Prairie High School and a 3x intramural sports champion at Bethel University Jason brings a passion for competition to our program. Jason began coaching tennis at CLHS out of love for spending time with his daughter (Addie), the joy of working with the other coaches in our program (who he counts as great friends), and a desire to help young people grow as athletes, teammates, and leaders in our schools and community.