Dr. Krop’s Michael Kypriss honored as top tennis coach in nation

Longtime Krop tennis coach Michael Kypriss will be going out with a bang when he retires after next year, as he was was honored with his sport’s National Coach of the Year award at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s convention Saturday in Minneapolis.

It was the perfect way to begin winding up a 35-year coaching career that Kypriss said features a 1,155-35 record among 16 state championships, 11 state runners-up finishes, 30 district and 24 regional titles.

His motivation to coach for so long has been the opportunity to help young students follow the right path.

“The motivation comes from just keeping people off the streets and inspire them to do better,” Kypriss said. “That’s the thing I’m going to miss the most.

“This is one of the proudest moments in my [coaching] career because it’s considered one of the most prestigious awards among coaches.”

The NHSACA, one of the oldest coaches associations, has been recognizing coaches for their longtime service to high school athletics, championship wins and winning percentage since 1978.

Kypriss took the helm at Killian in 1981, and his coaching odyssey will come to a close after 18 years at Krop.

Throughout his career, Kypriss has been able to help many students receive college tennis scholarships, which he believes is “one of the main goals of every high school coach.”

He has guided great players at the spark of their career such as 2013 Miami Open doubles winner Jean-Julien Rojer, Jack Brasington, who was ranked as high as No. 125 by the ATP in 2002, and University of Miami tennis coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews.

This isn’t the first time Kypriss is awarded nationally for his dedication and success among high school athletes. In 2006 he was named the National High School Federation’s coach of the year. Three years later, he was the USPTR USA National Coach of the Year.

This story was originally published June 24, 2015 at 11:13 PM with the headline "Dr. Krop’s Michael Kypriss honored as top tennis coach in nation."