Daniel Rios is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Country Day for AZPreps365.com

Building a winning culture is one of the hardest things to do in sports. That’s why few teams come to mind when thinking about a winning culture. The biggest thing needed for this is the man up top, the head coach. Names like Nick Saban, Gregg Popovich and Bill Belicheck come to mind when thinking about teams who have had success for a really long time. 

Building it at the high school level can be an even bigger challenge. High school sports are a little different from the pro and college level. Many different factors can come into play. In Phoenix, there is one program that has reached that elite level.

Jerry Keever is the head coach for the Phoenix Country Day boys’ and girls’ tennis teams. He’s headed the teams for over 30 years. During his time he has had complete domination winning over 85% of his games.. With both teams combined he has over 750 wins, four coach of the year awards and multiple state championships. 

Keever played tennis in high school and a little in college as well. Regardless of how good his coaching career has gone, tennis was never the main goal. He actually went to Arizona State and got his degree in architecture. Keever had a knack for art and design as well as creative problem solving. He wanted to pursue those passions as a career. 

“I practiced architecture for about four years,” Keever said. “The building industry took a turn for the worse, and the interest rates weren’t really high back in 1975. I thought of getting into tennis as a part time profession until architecture came back around.”

That part time profession soon became his full time profession. Before Phoenix Country Day, Keever worked at a Marriott hotel where he would teach tennis classes. Doing this he realized his true passion was in coaching. He saw an opening at Phoenix Country Day for its youth tennis program coach and he applied. He would get that position which led to him taking over the high school program in 1994. 

When starting Keever wanted to make sure he did something his high school coach, Jack Sanford, did when he was playing. Establish a sense of family within the team. Regardless of some thinking tennis was more of an individual sport. Keever didn’t see it that way and wanted his teams to be close. 

“I tried to create a similar culture,” Keever said. “So the team, as they become young adults and onto their careers. They will have really fun memories of their experience playing tennis in high school.”

Sanford was a big inspiration for Keever. When looking back there are a lot of qualities that Sanford had, that Keever made sure he tried to resemble in any way he could. Keever is still friends with his teammates from high school, and he thanks his old coach for bringing them together. 

“He was so inspirational because he had the love of the sport,” Keever said. “He loved to play, loved to participate. He really was enthusiastic and he loved to win of course. But he had really strong values in terms of sportsmanship and conduct on the court.” 

Keever has followed those values throughout all these years. Even in his biggest moment as a coach at Phoenix Country Day when he was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame. A moment where he was absolutely honored. He didn’t wanna be recognized for the success he’s had over the years, but for the influence he’s had on his players.

“I hear from parents a lot saying, ‘Thank you for mentoring my young adult, you’ve influenced them in a positive manner’,” Keever said. “When you’re inducted into the athletic hall of fame at the school. It’s not strictly on your athletic achievement. It’s based on your contribution to the school and tennis culture.”

Regardless of having that reputation of being a successful coach. All of his players are thankful for the culture that he has built within the program. They know there is nowhere like PCDS when it comes to tennis.

“I have a lot of experience playing tournaments outside of PCDS, but I know year after year that I have coach Keever and PCDS tennis to bring me a new depth of connection to the sport,” senior Jacques Sevrain said. “He knows that team tennis is rare in the greater scheme of tennis, so he works hard to form a culture of connectivity on the team.”

With all the success he’s had over the span of 30 years. Keever is most proud of being a mentor and a leader for the young adults that come into his program. He wants every kid who steps foot onto the court to enjoy and embrace their time as an Eagle. He hopes all his players can live life with two things in mind. 

“Live in the world of possibilities and stay curious,” Keever said. 

Now coach Keever looks forward to making it a four peat for the boys’, and a three peat for the girls’. Hoping the dominance can continue.