Katy/Fulshear Firethorne Resident Tennis Coach/Ace Athlete Helps Launch Tennis Program

    BELLAIRE, TX, July 07, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In Katy/Fulshear, Texas, if you think Firethorne's tennis coach is just an ace on the tennis court, you couldn't be more wrong. Resident athlete/sports coach Chris Dante didn't even take up the sport until he was 30, after excelling in baseball (in 1988 he made it as far as the Olympic Trials), basketball (City University of New York team captain) and football, as well as boxing and Tae kwon do (he has a black belt)!

"But after one too many broken noses, I turned to something less brutal -- tennis," said Dante, who helped launch Firethorne's premiere tennis program this spring. With the new Women's Tennis League and beginner tennis clinics now in full swing, Firethorne continues to demonstrate the Katy/Fulshear residential real estate community's commitment to fitness and competitive sports, through its hike and bike trails, swimming and running (Katy Triathlon at Firethorne), regulation lacrosse fields and personal training at the on-site exercise facility.

According to Firethorne Marketing Director Janet Burkett, the fact that Chris lives and coaches in the Katy/Fulshear master designed community further illustrates the true spirit of community at Firethorne. "He's more than a coach, he's a neighbor and mentor and he is deeply committed to instilling in children the values of honor and virtue in sports competition."

During the summer, Coach Dante offers two morning tennis clinics for children (9 and 10 a.m.) and one 6 p.m. clinic for adult beginners. He also teaches private lessons. The tennis courts are open to Firethorne residents and their invited guests.

Dante worked as a coach at Iona College (Div. I) in New York and Providence College in Rhode Island. "At Iona College, I worked with Iona College Basketball Coach Jeff Ruland, an All-American out of Iona College who played in the NBA," he said.

He approached John Brennan, tennis coach of the citywide champion St. Francis Preparatory High School in Queens, NY, to be his tennis coach and mentor. For the next three years, Dante played in tournaments all over New York City, He coached high school tennis in Providence, RI, before moving with his wife, Marina, and their three children to Katy, two years ago. He appreciates living in Katy because of the best schools and it is "a wonderful place to raise children. My wife loved Firethorne because it looked like 'real Texas.' I bought her dream house here," he said.

"Coaching is a labor of love," said Dante. "I love being outside with the kids -- teaching and coaching them." He also enjoys introducing many of their parents to tennis, as well as coaching baseball and football through his company, Sports Mania.

The four fully lit hard courts, Firethorne's newest community amenities, are located adjacent to the residential community's lacrosse fields in the 1,400-acre Katy/Fulshear master-designed home development.

Firethorne, located 15 miles west of Houston's Energy Corridor, blends the best nature has to offer: 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. Served by the award-winning Katy I.S.D., Firethorne combines the vibrancy of West Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear. To tour Firethorne, take I-10 West and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463, call 281-395-1440 or visit www.firethorne.info.

Katy/Fulshear Firethorne Tennis Coach Chris Dante lives and coaches in the Firethorne master-designed community, further illustrating the true spirit of community at Firethorne. "He's more than a coach, he's a neighbor and mentor and he is deeply committed to instilling in children the values of honor and virtue in sports competition."

Website: http://www.firethorne.info

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