Our Team

Oscar Beich is the Director of Tennis at Bolt Tennis Academy. Oscar is an extremely accomplished collegiate tennis player. As a junior, he was ranked top 100 nationally. His success as a junior led him to a D-1 scholarship at Illinois State University. Oscar was Captain of his D-1 team and led them to become Missouri Valley Conference champions for the first time in his school’s history.

He has a very eclectic background off the court. In Oscar’s first career, he set his sights on education where he was a high school teacher. He later transitioned to a Zoologist, caring for penguins to giraffes for almost a decade. Even working in other fields, he kept tennis a large priority in his life for years by coaching high level competitive players. Oscar decided he wanted his passion for tennis to become his career and that is when he decided to leave all else aside and focus solely on developing Tennis players of all levels and ability.

Oscar’s unique career pathway makes him invaluable on the court. He has melded his practical knowledge in life and applies this to his coaching. He is great communicator and can easily identify with each player. His adaptability allows him to pinpoint their array of needs from technical issues, shot selection to mental toughness to building character. He can reach his players by putting into practice all he has learned from his tennis accomplishments and life.

Buddy Strawn was Oscar’s first Coach and brought him from Recreational tennis enthusiast to top D-1 player and Captain. When Oscar had to chose a Co-Director, no resume received could top the experience he felt Buddy could bring to the Academy. Oscar and Buddy have been working on court together for over 20 years. Over 20 years working together, they have accomplished great results. Buddy and Oscar decided to join forces once again and combine all of their knowledge and resources. Buddy has over 40 years experience coaching all levels and 2 decades as a D-1 coach for both Illinois State and St. Louis Universities. His insight and expertise of the game help mold and shape the players to improve at a rapid pace. Players from all over the nation, including ATP players, come for Buddy’s expertise.

Jesse Schwartz - Owner

Jesse has over 30 years in the tennis industry. He prides himself on his ability to teach all ages and abilities while making each student improve their game, feeling successful every moment on the court. In addition to coaching, Jesse sets himself apart. He has 25+ experience in officiating USTA tournaments, serving as Head Referee for over 15 years. Jesse is also a Master Racquet Technician, stringing and customizing racquets for several top 100 ATP professionals.

Oscar Beich - Director of Tennis/Owner

Oscar Beich hails from Bloomington, Illinois where he started playing tennis at the age of 5 years old. With the help of his father as his coach, he quickly became a top competitor in the state. At the age of 12, he was a USTA nationally ranked player and highly ranked in the Midwest region. Continuing his career in high school, tennis led to many accolades including earning second-place honors in the 2003 Illinois state championship tournament. At the end of his Junior career, he was ranked top 100 in the nation in the boys 18’s USTA and a top college recruit in the state of Illinois. After many scholarship offers from schools across the nation, Oscar decided to attend Illinois State University on a tennis scholarship. He had a successful college career becoming team captain and leading his team to a NCAA Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2006. In 2008, during his senior season, he suffered a season-ending foot injury that took a year to fully recover. During his time not being able to compete, he became the assistant coach at Illinois State University while finishing his degree in Social Science Education. After his college career, he earned another degree from Southern Illinois University in Zoology and began a career as a Zoologist at Busch Gardens Tampa (2012-2021). During his time as a Zoologist, Oscar never lost his love of tennis and coached at academies and privately for the past 10 years. In 2017, he started his own academy, Oscar Beich Tennis Academy LLC. The academy was highly successful in developing young players and Oscar is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to Bolt Tennis Academy!

Buddy Strawn - Head Coach

Sekou Bangoura – ATP Professional Tennis Player

Sekou is a former All-American collegiate doubles player, winning prestigious titles in Kalamazoo and reached #1 in the nation in the Boys’ 18’s. After almost a decade on tour, Sekou has wins over top ATP touring players and reached a career high of 213. Sekou is very devoted to the team and involved when he is not touring.

Belal Mansour – Assistant Coach

Belal is a well known National ranked junior player. He has extensive relevant knowledge he offers his students regarding high level training and tournament strategy. Belal has a natural ability to apply his knowledge to the most advanced players, as well as the most novice. His versatility is an asset to our team. Belal is an extremely accomplished student as well and demonstrates passion in his coaching.

Molly O'Brien Schwartz - Assistant Coach

Molly comes to the team with a background in education. She holds to graduate degrees in Spanish Literature and Secondary Education. She is a former High School Teacher and College Professor. In addition, she is a proud wife and mother to 5 children. Being the daughter of a former teaching professional, Molly held a racquet at the age of 3 years old and that is where she finds her passion. There is nothing more she enjoys than putting a racquet in the hands of a child and making them fall in love with the sport.

Frankie James - Fitness Trainer

William Bushamuka - ATP Professional Touring Player

William is an “ALL-American” D-1 Collegiate Tennis Player who played for the University of Kentucky. He excelled on the ITF junior tour where he was recognized internationally for his talent and wonderful disposition. Bushamuka is currently playing on the ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Men’s World Tour. He also travels as an ATP Coach to several tournaments a year where he coaches players as high as 150 in the world. Many consider his charisma as big as his talent.

During his off weeks and pre-season, William trains with Bolt Tennis Academy where he demonstrates his leadership on and off the court to his “Team” and all aspiring tennis players at Bolt.

Kevin Major, Jr. - ATP Touring Professional

Parth Aggarwal - Touring Professional/Collegiate Training

Jose Moreno - Assistant Coach

Krista Kotova – Marketing / Administration / Event & Tournament Director

Krista brings to us decades of experience in event planning and administration. As owner of her own Event Planning business, Capri Circle Events, she offers expertise and executes at the highest level. Krista is a USTA Tournament Director, graphic artist and promotional expert.

Our Team

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