Maria Lopez: Building Champions On and Off the Court

Maria Lopez is a seasoned tennis coach with over 18 years of experience across various levels of the sport. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Memberships & Inclusion at WeCOACH, where she is instrumental in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the athletics community.

Throughout her 12-year tenure in collegiate coaching, Maria has led teams to five conference titles and two NCAA national championships. Her exceptional leadership has earned her the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional and National Coach of the Year awards on two separate occasions. Beyond collegiate athletics, she has coached a Top 50 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) player, showcasing her ability to mentor athletes at the highest levels of competition.

As a player, Maria was the top-ranked junior in Venezuela and achieved All-American honors in 2001 and 2002. She was also a three-time All-Sunshine State Conference selection, reflecting her outstanding performance on the court.

Maria’s commitment to the sport extends beyond coaching. She serves on the board of the Latina Tennis Coach Association and volunteers with the Sports Equality Foundation, dedicating her time to initiatives that foster inclusivity and equality in sports. A graduate of Barry University, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in E-Commerce and a Master’s degree in Sport Management. She is also an alumna of the 2022 NCAA Women Coaches Academy Class #51 and has been an active member of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) since 2010.

Passionate about advancing equity in women’s sports, particularly for female coaches, Maria is devoted to creating inclusive environments that empower and uplift others.