Monday, September 20, 1999
Education proves to be his racket
Contardi retiring at Kings
BY DIONNE BRADDIX
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Steve Contardi loves both tennis and education — and has built his life around both.
Soon the current will give up one of his joys. He plans to retire from the Kings Local Schools board Dec. 21 after eight years and two terms of service.
Mr. Contardi, 54, said family and business concerns prompted his decision.
“My kids have all graduated,” said the father of four. “It's a combination of that, the ever-increasing demands of owning my business, being comfortable with the shape of the school board, and the candidates that are looking to replace me.”
Under Mr. Contardi's leadership, the school district passed two bond issues that helped finance construction of three schools, and an operating levy. All three were approved on the first try.
After high school, Mr. Contardi wanted to coach sports on a high school level. He went into education to be able to coach.
“From the time I could remember, sports have been the primary force in my life,” he said. “I just enjoy doing it.”
Mr. Contardi, who graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1967, taught algebra, trigonometry and geometry for seven years in Wisconsin. He stopped teaching in 1979 because of business opportunities in tennis.
He reached the level of master professional, one of fewer than 200 in the country.
Meanwhile, he became involved in the Kings school board when the system was looking for a new superintendent.
“I was very involved with my children's education,” Mr. Contardi said. “I thought I might have something to offer.”
His daughter, Katie, plays for the Miami University tennis team, and son Mario plays for the University of Virginia.
Mr. Contardi owns and operates two tennis clubs, Harper's Point Tennis Club in Symmes Township, and Lexington Tennis Club in Lexing ton, Ky. He also is active in corporate clinics and tennis event management.
He is in both the Professional Tennis Association and the Northern Michigan University halls of fame, is president and founder of Tennis Fantasies with the Legends (a fantasy camp) and, with his wife, started the Kinderveldt Ten-a-thon, which has raised more than $2 million for Children's Hospital.
He recently returned from the U.S. Open, where he conducted a corporate clinic.
""I do them with old-time tennis greats — all of the legends of tennis,” he said.
Though leaving his education role, Mr. Contardi said he will have plenty to occupy his time with his tennis business.
“I think I have the best job in the world,” he said. “I like sports, I like to teach, and I like people. It's a nice lifestyle.”
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