ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- James Hignett, a former standout on the Lobo Tennis team, has returned to Albuquerque, this time in a professional capacity. Hignett has been named the new Director of the Lobo Tennis Club.
As director, Hignett will oversee all aspects of scheduling and work with USTA on tournaments, lessons, and all matters related to the Lobo Tennis Club. Along with serving as practice courts for both the men’s and women’s teams for New Mexico, the Lobo Tennis Club is the top center in the state for tennis, and Hignett will handle the day-to-day operations of the club.
“I am really excited to be coming back to the Lobo Family as the Lobo Tennis Club Director. I have a lot of great memories there as a player and am excited to continue the legacy of quality that the Lobo Tennis Club has been known for in the state of New Mexico and beyond,” said Hignett, adding, “Thank you to everyone involved in giving me this opportunity. I look forward to seeing you all on the courts!”
Hignett comes to the Lobo Tennis Club from The Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas, where he oversaw a $1.2 million budget and was able to help The Hills transition to a members-only model while maintaining profitability. Hignett brings plenty of experience leading venues, having also served as Director of Tennis at Life Time in both Plano, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colo.
Hignett has also spent time in the collegiate coaching ranks, serving as an assistant coach for the men’s tennis team at Binghamton and as Director of Operations for Wyoming’s women’s team.
Hignett, a 2015 graduate from The University of New Mexico, is one of the greatest doubles players in Lobo Tennis history. A four-time Mountain West All-Academic selection, his 89 doubles wins are tied for the third-most on the all-time career doubles wins chart at UNM. He is one of four players to ever break the 30-win barrier for doubles in a season, and he was the last one to do it, back in 2011-12.