UTA Partner

Tim Noonan

Tim Noonan is a founder with Universal Tennis Academy. Tim is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He received his Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame where he was a four-year letterman and captain of the Notre Dame tennis team. Tim worked as an architect for five years before returning to the game of tennis.

Tim was the Director of Tennis at both Sunset Country Club and Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis before moving to Atlanta in 1996, to become the head coach for the Atlanta Thunder. Noonan led the Thunder to the World Team Tennis finals that same year. Tim is USPTA certified Tennis Professional and the 2019 Georgia USPTA Pro of the Year.

Tim and his wife Karen have a stepdaughter named Madie and three rescue dogs. When Tim isn’t on the courts he enjoys playing golf and skiing. Tim enjoys coaching students of all levels and ages.

Work in the Community:
– 396 hours and 11 years at DreamMakers
– 1,120 hours and 7 years at St Joseph Cardiac Cathy Lab
– Founder and 300 hours at St. Anne’s Catholic Church Adult Mission Ministry

Tennis Professional

Ryan Hughes

Once you hear Ryan out on the courts you will know he is originally from England. Ryan has worked at UTA since March 2007 and is part of the original coaching staff from the initial location at the Chattahoochee Plantation. Ryan helps oversee the 10 & Under class and Competitive group at Blackburn, as well as assisting Universal Tennis Management as International Programs Coordinator/Recruiter.

Ryan played at the University of Southern Indiana where he graduated with a degree in business administration. He was team captain his senior year and his team won the Conference Championship during his junior year. Before coming to the United States, Coach Hughes attended Sutton Junior High-Performance Tennis Center in London, England from 1999 to 2002 and played events in the UK tennis tour.

Ryan’s Mom and Dad, and his 4 older brothers still live in England. When not teaching juniors, Ryan is a scratch golfer and enjoys working on his car collection.

Director of Tennis

Casey Ragsdale McAfee

Casey was one of the top junior players in Mississippi and was a 3-time recipient of the Most Valuable Player award while attending Birmingham Southern. She was the team captain and named to the Big South All-Conference Team. She also was named to the Big South Academic Honor Roll and received the Johnny Johnston Most Inspirational Athlete of the Year for all sports during her senior year.  Casey graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education.

Prior to joining UTA Casey taught tennis at the River Hills Club in Jackson, MS. from 2007-2009. Casey helps direct our junior program and summer camps at UTA. Casey has been very active in the UTA community outreach programs.  She regularly assists with the Serve and Connect program at Washington Park Tennis Center which brings youth and law enforcement together through tennis. She has been an active volunteer in teaching tennis to the students at the Ron Clark Academy and she has also been the director for the Georgia Tennis Special Olympics.

Casey comes from a long line of tennis pros including her brother, dad, and uncle! When she isn’t teaching tennis, she enjoys time with friends, family, and playing golf!