D. Curtis Lawson, the Director of Tennis and Head Men's Tennis Coach at North Carolina Central University, has 20 years of tennis instructing, coaching and officiating experience to his credit.

In 1995, Lawson guided NCCU's men's team to its first division championship in more than 10 years, while finishing second place overall in the CIAA which had not been accomplished since the mid 1970s. Later that year, he was elected President of the CIAA tennis coaches association.

A native of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, Lawson has assumed the roles of Instructor, Head Tennis Professional, Director of Tennis and from 1990-1996 served as Head Coach of Men's Tennis at North Carolina Central University.

As a student-athlete, Lawson competed in both basketball and tennis during his collegiate career. Following college, Lawson remained competitive at the amateur ranks, amassing State, Sectional and National rankings in both singles and doubles. Injuries have recently slowed Lawson's activities, although he still maintains a State ranking in doubles.

Lawson graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1987, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. A true `Eagle,' he earned a master's degree in Bio-Chemistry from NCCU in 1994 after completing a Research Fellowship at Duke University.

Lawson is a certified tennis teaching professional through the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and has memberships or affiliations with the following organizations: Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), Wilson/ITA Coaches Advisory Committee, United States Tennis Association (USTA) Life Membership, North Carolina Tennis Association (NCTA), United States Tennis Officials Association, and North Carolina Umpires Associations.

He and his wife, Tawanda, are the parents of two sons, Tory and Curtis Jr.

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