MTC Tournament Director Volkert Has Strong Tennis Background

Andy Volkert brought his family and vast tennis background and experience from San Diego to Milwaukee in May 2022. Forty years earlier, January, 1979, Volkert came to Milwaukee representing the University of San Diego (USD) in the Milwaukee Tennis Classic (MTC). Volkert has family and friends in Milwaukee so both trips were positive and productive.

Earlier this year, Volkert became the Tournament Director for the 2023 MTC. He brings impressive credentials as a former college player, tennis instructor and coach, community tennis volunteer, director of charity tennis tournaments and events and community leader. Volkert also heads his own investment management firm.

MTC president Kurt Janavitz summed up the feelings of the MTC board when he stated: “Andy Volkert provides one of those rare, once in a lifetime opportunities, to secure a seasoned tennis talent with vast tennis knowledge, experience and accomplishments to run our tournament. We are pleased and delighted to add Andy to our MTC team!”

Volkert played one year at USD men’s tennis team and three additional years for San Diego State University (SDSU) graduating in 1983. Volkert became a tennis coach and instructor; and, eventually served as the Tennis Director, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, San Diego, from 1995 to 2015.

Volkert is well known in San Diego for his leadership and experience in running multiple charity and ProAm tennis events to benefit cystic fibrosis, cancer and other charitable organizations. For many years he also ran the Skeets Dunn ProAm to benefit the men’s tennis program at SDSU.

In 2012, Volkert founded Volkert Investment Management, Inc., providing money management for high net worth individuals and small businesses. Volkert continues to head the firm using many of the lessons learned from a near lifetime in tennis including developing a game plan with clients, executing the plan, using discipline, patience and perseverance; and, knowing when to take offensive and defensive positions. Volkert indicated all of these apply to both tennis and investments. The Volkert firm focuses entirely on investment in futures involving corn, soy beans and wheat.

Within a few weeks after his return to Milwaukee in May, 2022, Volkert reached out to MTC officials to discuss the tournament. Volkert observed: “What impresses me about the MTC is the 47-year tradition of the tournament, passion of the officials, solid structure, growth potential and community support evidenced by providing housing for nearly 50 years! I am also excited about the possibility of bringing the MTC to the new Nicolet High School tennis complex in Glendale, WI. MTC clearly has a bright, experienced and strong core group focused on lifting the tournament to the next level.”

Volkert’s initial MTC success has been recruiting coaches and players. He is well known in the national college tennis community; and, successfully recruited players for the 2023 MTC from number one ranked University of North Carolina women’s tennis team as well as other nationally ranked programs throughout the U.S. As tournament director, Volkert will also present a world class college tennis event.