Calculus teacher Jeff Brose possesses just as much skill in tennis as he does in math.  From being raised in a family filled with tennis players to competing nationally in college, Brose’s entire life has been heavily influenced by the sport.

Given his family background, it was no surprise when Brose decided to pick up tennis at the age of ten. He dabbled in a handful of other sports including baseball, basketball and football, before deciding to focus on tennis during his middle school years. Brose’s father taught him the most about the sport while he honed his skills through practicing with his older brother.

“Because my brother and his friends practiced with me regularly, and because they were older, better and faster in every which way, my improvement really sped up,” Brose said. “When I had no one to practice with, I often practiced against the wall.”

By the time Brose reached high school, he was talented enough to make it onto the La Quinta High School varsity team.

After his freshman year, he became a captain and was awarded MVP for three consecutive years. Because he most enjoys the camaraderie of tennis, he prefers playing doubles to singles.

He also competed outside of school, but Brose’s fondest memories come from his high school experience.

“When I was a junior, we had a really big CIF semifinal match. There were more than four hundred people spectating and we were playing against one of the best players in the nation,” Brose recalled. “We lost the match, but it was an exciting game nonetheless.”

Brose was determined to play tennis competitively even after he graduated high school, attending Claremont McKenna College, a Division III school.  During his time at Claremont McKenna, the team ranked among the top eight in the nation, qualifying the school for NCAA tournaments. He was also a finalist for the national Rookie of the Year.

But his tennis career did not end at Claremont McKenna. Here at Diamond Bar High School, Brose coached boys varsity tennis for ten years.  However, he quit coaching and focused on  calculus after his second child was born.

“Just the experience of being able to guide the boys and watch them grow as young men really stuck with me,” Brose said.

Brose still plays tennis with his brother several times a week and, despite a severe knee injury 15 years ago, stays as active as possible by playing a variety of other sports as well.