Solaris Sport & Racquet Club Tennis Staff
Geoffrey Jagdfeld, Tennis Director
Professional Certifications:
US Professional Tennis Association Level 1
International Professional Tennis Registry Level 1
US Tennis Association High Performance Coach
US Professional Platform Tennis Association Level 1
Geoff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to New York. Along with a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from Michigan State University, his expertise is due in part to his experience as a player and competitor of the game. He grew up in Michigan and was an All-State high school tennis player and competed for the Michigan State University men's tennis team.
Geoff was formerly the Director of Tennis at the Nebraska Tennis Center in Lincoln Nebraska. Prior to his stint in the Mid-West he was the Director of junior tennis, adult leagues and platform tennis at the Mid-Town Athletic Club in Rochester, New York for 13 years. Geoff was previously the Junior Competition Training Center Head Coach, Regional Junior Tournament Director, Ranking Chairperson and Junior Competition Board Member for the Eastern Section of the USTA.
Geoff has extensive experience coaching team tennis. He coached Collegiate Tennis at St. John Fisher College, Boy’s & Girl’s tennis at Hartland High School and many USTA adult teams to Regional, Sectional and National titles.
In addition he is a USTA High Performance Coach. The aim of the high performance coaching program is to elevate local area junior tennis players in the United States with the intent of facilitating the development of world-class American tennis champions.
Geoff loves going to movies, collecting comic books and science fiction. He is an amateur chef and is always trying out recipes and new restaurants.
Noah Allen, Junior Tennis Director
Professional Certifications:
US Professional Tennis Association Level 1
Noah is a native of the state of California. After his first 10 years of teaching tennis in southern California, Noah made his way to the east coast where he has been a teaching pro for the past 13 years. Noah is a U.S.P.T.A certified P1 instructor and a certified Personal Trainer. Noah has trained and coached nationally ranked juniors from the east and west coasts, as well as a handful of very successful collegiate players. Noah was recruited to play college tennis in California and he obtained a B.A in Business Management from San Diego State University. Noah has been part of the Solaris Team since the Spring of 2008.
Bernard Flowers, Adult Tennis Director
Professional Certifications:
Born November 1, 1975 in Santa Barbara, California, Bernard R. Flowers started playing Tennis at the age of 10 and won his first tennis tournament at the age of 11 and that would beginning his long and continues love of the game. Bernard went on to play tennis for George Westinghouse H.S. where he played first singles and along the way accomplished number of first both the school and himself. Bernard was the first to win The Davis Cup Tournament twice in a row and ended his playing carrier with a perfect record and was the first to be awarded the Student Athlete of the Nation Award.
Bernard went on to play number one for John Jay College where he won Most Valuable Player Twice, and a Division III National Championship. In his third season due to a major injury, Bernard was forced to become a player Coach which ended he playing career with a perfect 42-0 record and so began his Coaching career.
Bernard has held the position of Tennis Director at LifePlex for 4 years. Bernard has also held the position of Tennis Director for the Town of Spring Valley. He then went on to be the Asst. Head Pro at Montammy Country Club for 8 years. Bernard has also held the Head Coach for the Boys Tennis team at Riverdale Country Day School.
Bernard loves going to Broadway plays and musicals, collecting Baseball Cards and riding a road bike in the summer. Bernard also loves interior decorating.
Tom Walker, Tennis Professional
Professional Certifications:
US Professional Tennis Association Level 2
Tom has been teaching tennis for at least 45 years. He began in his teens years with the line-up of our team competitors and the organization of team practice during the winter months.
During the summer months while in college, Tom became a teaching pro in Chicago at the age of 19. Taught his first year at age 20 at Lake Over Country Club in the early 70’s.
During the early 70’s Tom taught the boy’s team for three years before becoming a full time pro at the Shore Tennis Club for three years and developed the club from six members to 300+ and from one pro to three full-time and one part time.
In the mid 70’s Tom worked at Saw Mill Club and worked with beginners and the elite junior program for several years. Tom was introduced to mini tennis 40 years ago by the owner of Saw Mill Club.
While employed there, Tom was instrumental in developing the breakfast club and men’s advanced league and having a weekly doubles practice session for the men’s tournament player level. Tom has been several times runner-up in the men’s century tournament with three different partners. The age range of students Tom has taught over the years is from 3 to 93. This has included beginners to state and regional number ranked players. It has given him enrichment in his perspective and approach in teaching the game of tennis. Tom has been able to help many improve their level of play when others informed them they were either too old or told they had peaked out.
Surprise! His students discovered they could improve and therefore improved tremendously. As Tom puts it “I am so happy they decided to stick it out and get through the difficulties of learning the game of tennis.”
Tom Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science from Central State University, (Ohio) and a minor in mathematics. Tom also obtained a master’s degree in physics while attending University of Connecticut. He still enjoys solving the problems of his tennis clients.
Tom’s interests include playing tennis tournaments, self improvement, reading, ballroom dance, video games and business building.
Tomek Kopczynski, Tennis Professional
Professional Certifications:
Polish Tennis Association (PZT) Certified Coach
A native of Poland, Tomek Kopczynski was a top-ranked junior there before entering the Futures Tournaments (ITF Men’s Pro Circuit). Tomek was a Polish National Tennis Champion in singles and doubles, Polish National Tennis Team and Reserve Davis Cup Team member.
Tomek’s training method combines technical and tactical on-court training with a tennis-specific performance physical training and mental conditioning. His approach impacts every aspect of the tennis player’s development. Tomek trains junior, collegiate and adult tennis players.
Jay Barston, Tennis Professional
Professional Certifications:
US Professional Tennis Association Level 2
Jay got his start as a high school tennis coach at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT and has produced numerous All-FCIAC and All-State student-athletes. He also coached at Yeshiva University and Sarah Lawrence College, both NCAA Division III institutions, where he was most recently named Hudson Valley (HVWAC) Coach of the Year in 2010.
Barston has earned professional certifications from the USPTA, USTA, Modern Tennis Methodology Academy (MTM), and the NCAA Division III. In addition he holds a State of CT Coaching Permit and is a Connecticut Special Olympics coach/unified doubles partner and mentor to the Darien Lions Club.
He was granted a bachelors degree, cum laude, in finance from West Virginia University and spent twenty years prior to coaching/teaching on Wall Street. He and his wife, Lili, reside in Darien, CT. He has two grown children each establishing their own careers in banking and elementary education.
Barston's overall tennis philosophy is to enjoy (have fun) the athletic experience that emphasizes personal integrity, sportsmanship, wellness and the fulfillment of one's potential.
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