As a kid, Dawson County Tigers head tennis coach Logan Allen grew up surrounded by athletes and sports. Years later and today not so much has changed for Allen, who says that he loves waking up every day and passing on a love of sports to young people. 

“I get to go to work and teach students basic skills and help them to develop an appreciation for overall wellness, sports, fitness, and movement,” Allen said.

However, Allen never played tennis competitively growing up. Up until middle school, he played basketball and football, but baseball was his true passion. 

“I made that my primary sport,” Allen said. “I have great memories from winning big games and tournaments playing baseball and being coached by my dad growing up.”

Allen played baseball all four years at East Hall High School in Gainesville, Ga. He played some first base, but he truly did his damage on the pitcher’s mound. 

“I loved and still love everything about pitching,” Allen said. “The competition that comes with trying to get the batter out is one of the most fun things in sports. I had a solid career earning many wins as a starting and relief pitcher.”  

Though his baseball career ended in high school, his desire to teach and coach did not come until he was around 20 years old.  

Allen first began coaching soccer in Hall County, but once he was hired in Dawson County, he quickly became an assistant softball coach and junior varsity head coach of the baseball team.  

When he decided to go back and get his masters, coaching two teams took too much time and he had to relinquish his baseball coaching position.  

After receiving his masters, another opportunity opened up in Dawson County, this time to coach Tennis. Allen’s father played tennis growing up and he would play with him every once in a while. 

“I really started to love tennis when I started playing with my younger brother as he was going through his high school career,” Allen said. “He was a very good player and we had some great matches during those years.”

Allen said he loves the competition and athleticism involved in tennis, and has never stuck to one sport but appreciates fitness, running, competition and anything active.

Now coaching both tennis and softball, Allen said that he could not be more appreciative of the opportunities he’s been given. Though a shy child, he said that teaching and coaching gave him confidence and forced him to become a leader and impact students' lives. 

“Having the chance to teach kids in elementary school and then have the chance to reconnect with them later in their school careers, through coaching is very unique,” Allen said

Coaching tennis and softball is right where Allen wants to be. He said he’s thankful not just for the success that the two programs have had the past few seasons, but also the relationships that he has built with students and his fellow coaches.  

“Coaching is awesome because you get to help kids develop and meet their potential. It is very rewarding to see an athlete exceed in something that they love,” Allen said.