David Sheaffer, Founder & President
David founded Topspin Tennis Academy in 2010 and today dedicates most of his time to the academy along with raising his four children with his wife Erika. David is also at Upper Dublin High School where he is the Varsity Coach of the Girls Tennis Team. David previously coached the varsity Boys and Girls Tennis Teams at Upper Dublin High School in the early 2000's. His teams quickly became perennial powerhouses and he led the teams to several league titles, going a combined 78-13 in those years.
David has also coached the Men's and Women's Programs at Penn State Abington (PSA) from 2009 - 2017. The two programs were the most successful in Penn State Abington's history as an NCAA DIII institution. The Men's Team and Women's Team have combined for 11 titles from 2014 - 2017. Sheaffer has also won NEAC Men's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2014, 2015 & 2016 and NEAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2016 & 2017.He also won the Coach of the year award for Penn State Abington in 2011 and 2016. His teams surpassed 100 combined collegiate coaching victories in 2015.
David has been teaching tennis since 1993, and has been a Certified Teaching Professional with the Professional Tennis Registry since 1999. In college, David was the captain of the Men's Tennis team at Messiah College, and as a junior he started on Messiah's first Middle Atlantic Conference Championship Team.
A multisport athlete, David transitioned to tennis in eighth grade from baseball. By his sophomore year he was starting on his high school team in Haddon Township, NJ, and earned All South Jersey Doubles Honors by his junior year. David is proof that with some dedication and love of the game you don't need to have a court in your backyard or grow up at a country club to enjoy and excel at this game. David enjoys every moment on the court whether it is with four year olds, his college players, or his adult clinics. David continues to play tennis as well and captain's a team of former players in a USTA Men's League.
David is a father of four children, all of whom are involved in Topspin Tennis Academy, a devoted husband, and is active in his local church.
Sheaffer is assisted on the court by several former players and coaching staff of Penn State Abington.
James Howell, Site Director & Lead Teaching Pro
James joined the staff of Topspin Tennis Academy in 2011. In college, James received a number of individual awards including the NEAC Men's Rookie of the Year (2012), Penn State Abington's MVP (2014), NEAC 1st Team All Conference Singles (2014) & Doubles (2014, 2015). He also helped lead his team to NEAC Championships (2014 & 2015). After graduating, James served as an assistant coach with Penn State Abington and helped the team continue their winning ways garnering 6 championships in his two years on staff.
James brings a high energy on the court in working with players of all ages. In 2017, James and David played 1st Doubles on their USTA Men's Team and went undefeated helping their team win their a local Philadelphia Area title.