Celebrating the Career and Legacy of Ken Shioi
Ken Shioi grew up on the island of Kauai, where his aunt and uncle introduced him and his brother to the game of tennis as Ken was entering sixth grade. Before his freshman year of high school, Ken’s family moved to Oahu, where he discovered a much higher level of competitive tennis. The increased level of competition motivated Ken to work harder, and he soon became a ranked junior player. He went on to play four years of varsity tennis at Aiea High School and completed his college tennis career at Hawaii Pacific University.
In 1987, Ken moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in real estate. However, tennis remained his true passion. He began playing at Spanish Oaks Tennis Club, where he met Jeff Hubbard. Recognizing Ken’s talent and passion for teaching, Jeff purchased Ken a tennis basket and two cases of tennis balls and asked him to teach his twin sons, Chris and Sean. Both boys went on to become ranked junior players.
Ken soon became actively involved with the Nevada Tennis Association, volunteering his time to develop and lead free junior tennis programs at the YMCA. While competing in adult tournaments, he became friends with Sandy Comito, then Director of Tennis at TPC Summerlin. In 1994, TPC Summerlin hired Ken as an Assistant Tennis Professional.
It was during this time that fellow Assistant Tennis Professional Adolph Huddleston introduced Ken to the USTA High-Performance Coaching Program. Ken credits the program with transforming his approach to coaching, saying it “changed my teaching style, gave me clarity, as well as gave me a coaching philosophy to live by.”
A Love Story on the Tennis Court
Ken’s life took another important turn when he met the love of his life, Karla Neisewander, while they were both competing at the USTA Adult 18 & Over Section Championships in Salt Lake City. Ken was competing as a 5.0 player, while Karla competed as a 3.0.
Together, Ken and Karla built a life centered around family, tennis, and community. Reflecting on his career at TPC Summerlin, Ken says:
“Being the Director of Tennis at TPC Summerlin has afforded me the chance to raise my family and stay close to my lovely wife and two amazing sons, Ayson and Wynn.”
Ken’s coaching philosophy has always been simple but profound:
“Teach life skills through the game of tennis.”
That philosophy has guided Ken throughout his career and has influenced countless players, juniors, families, and fellow professionals both on and off the court.
A Career of Service and Achievement
Ken’s contributions to tennis in Nevada and throughout the Intermountain Section have earned him numerous honors and leadership opportunities, including:
- 2003–2009: USTA Nevada Board of Directors Member
- 2009: USTA Nevada Developmental Junior Coach of the Year
- 2010: USTA Nevada Pro of the Year
- 2014: USTA Nevada Family of the Year
- 2015: USTA Intermountain Family of the Year
- 2017: USTA Nevada Pro of the Year
- 2014–2026: USTA Nevada NTRP Self-Rate Appeals Volunteer Committee Chairperson
Beyond the awards and titles, Ken’s greatest legacy is the impact he has had on the people he has taught, coached, mentored, and served throughout his career. His dedication to junior development, competitive tennis, coaching education, and the growth of tennis in Nevada has helped shape generations of players and professionals.
After decades of dedication to the sport, Ken Shioi leaves an extraordinary legacy as a coach, mentor, leader, husband, father, and friend.
Las Vegas tennis will forever be better because Ken Shioi chose to make tennis not just a career, but a way to teach, inspire, and enrich the lives of others.
Congratulations, Ken, on an incredible career—and thank you for everything you have given to the game of tennis.
