Former Traverse City Central High School tennis coach Larry Nykerk will be inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSCA) Hall of Fame next month.
 
Nykerk officially retired from his job with Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) in 2017, after working with the district for 50 years. During his tenure, Nykerk racked up 1,050 career victories – 542 with the boys tennis team and 508 for the girls team. No other high school tennis coach in Michigan history has more career wins. Nykerk’s resume also includes 40 regional championship titles, dozens of state final appearances, 28 Regional Coach of the Year awards, and three Michigan Coach of the Year awards. He coached 65 players to 100 wins or more and guided 13 players to individual state champion titles.
 
Nykerk retired from coaching the TC Central boys tennis team in 2014 but continued coaching the girls team until last year. Despite his retirement, he is still involved with the Grand Traverse Tennis Camp, a youth tennis camp he founded that marked its 42nd summer in 2018. Nykerk also continues to work with the Friends of TC Tennis organization to raise money for the maintenance and construction of local tennis courts and facilities.
 
The MHSCA will induct Nykerk into the Hall of Fame on September 16, during a banquet at Central Michigan University.