Rallying Around Ken Bartz and His Medical Bills

There are few out there like Ken Bartz. He is incredibly kind, compassionate, and attentive. He has devoted a large portion of his life coaching and sharing his love for tennis. Ken has been a tennis pro at the Country Club of Colorado for 38 years and has had a profound impact on the tennis community in Colorado Springs.

On January 8, after a long day of coaching, Ken woke in the middle of the night unable to speak. An embolic stroke landed him in the hospital for thirteen days. He was left with no movement of his right hand and partial paralysis on his right side. The purpose of this GoFundMe account is to help Ken and his family with medical expenses incurred by the stroke and provide aid for his continual rehabilitation.

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Ken grew up in Rhinelander, Wisconsin where he left his mark as an incredible athlete. He was inducted into his hometown Sports Hall of Fame for cross country, basketball, and tennis. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where he was captain of the tennis team and played number one singles. (If you would like to know more about his extensive career as a player, feel free to ask Ken as he would be happy to give you a point-for-point recap of each and every match he ever played).

 

He moved to Colorado Springs in 1973 and taught at several different clubs before joining the staff at The Country Club of Colorado in 1984. As a Pro at the Country Club of Colorado for nearly four decades, Ken had the honor of coaching some families for three generations. He has also taught many top juniors including a National Number One.

 

Ken always stressed sportsmanship and giving one’s best effort. He got great satisfaction from seeing players improve and enjoy the game of tennis.

 

Now he is putting his own teaching techniques into practice and is giving his best effort to make strides each and every day towards his recovery. He knows that the road ahead will be long and arduous but is determined to give it his all and to stick with it. 
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Ken, his wife Jo-Anne, and the rest of their family would like to express their deepest appreciation and thanks to the Country Club of Colorado, the tennis staff and director Scott Liefer who have initiated this fundraiser. Additionally they would like to thank all the members and employees who have reached out to them with their well wishes. And to each of you who have contributed to his road to recovery-  we sincerely thank you!

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