

Chief Executive Officer
Meet J Schwan
J is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience building and scaling companies in both private and public markets. Passionate about growing the sport of tennis, he's leveraging technology to modernize the game. As CEO of Gladiator Tennis, he's focused on creating an engaging and sustainable league centered on community, affordability, and flexibility.
Chief Executive Officer
Meet J Schwan
J has been playing competitive tennis for over 30 years and is a PTR-certified teaching professional. A Gladiator since 2020, he competes in both the singles and mixed doubles leagues in Chicago and also plays in USTA team leagues. J enjoys sharing his love for the game with his wife, Gina, and their five children.


Founder and League Commissioner
Meet Steve Hess
Steve, founder and League Coordinator of Gladiator Tennis, turned his passion for affordable tennis into a thriving league. Post-college, he found organized tennis options too expensive, so he created Gladiator Tennis in 2007, starting with 50 men. Under his leadership, the league has grown to 2,500 players over 17 years. The key to its success is its affordability and flexible match scheduling, making it easy for players to get back in the game. Steve’s organizational skills have kept the league running smoothly, continuously attracting new players. Gladiator Tennis is a testament to his vision, dedication, and the power of grassroots initiatives.
Founder and League Commissioner
Meet Steve Hess
Steve is a 4.5 level player and has played 524 singles matches in Gladiator Tennis, #1 all time in the league. He also plays in doubles and mixed doubles as much as possible, finishing as 2024 Mixed Doubles Champion with partner Kamile Stadalninkaite. Outside of Gladiator, Steve has played in and coached high school and college tennis, was PTR certified with over 10 years of experience giving private and group lessons, and currently plays on a USTA team out of Wheaton Sports Center. Tennis is a family affair for Steve, as his wife and two daughters also share his passion, and he's enjoyed playing mixed doubles with all three of them.
"The beauty of tennis is that it brings people together."
Roger Federer


Chief Operating Officer
Meet Jeremiah Johnson
Jeremiah loves people, tech, and their intersection. He's passionate about process automation, custom solutions, and customer experiences. He's worked at global giants but thrives at Gladiator. His desk is more command center than office, and he's fine with that. Outside work, find him at his sons' sports events, sipping whiskey with friends, or at a Dave Matthews concert.
Chief Operating Officer
Meet Jeremiah Johnson
Jeremiah began playing tennis in second grade until he traded lessons for time with friends. He played doubles for St. Charles High and tennis intramurals at Taylor University. Now, he competes in Gladiator Singles and enjoys ping pong with his wife and three boys.


Chief Product Officer
Meet Chris Neilsen
Chris is passionate about building digital experiences that enhance people's enjoyment of outdoor activities. With a background in developing and launching successful digital products in the "Rec Tech" space, he is excited to apply his expertise to Gladiator's mission of making tennis more accessible and enjoyable for all.
Chief Product Officer
Meet Chris Neilsen
Chris is an avid pickleball player who competes in leagues and tournaments throughout the Denver area. As a recent enthusiast of tennis, he is actively working on perfecting his two handed backhand and is eager to contribute to a platform that makes the sport more accessible and convenient for players across the country.
"I think everyone should have the chance to play tennis."
Bllie Jean King

Engineer
Meet Daniel MulÉ
Daniel is a seasoned full-stack developer with over 10 years of experience in the technology sector. Throughout his career, he has built and optimized REST APIs, developed scalable web applications, and contributed to the full lifecycle of software development. Passionate about integrating new technologies, he focuses on secure authentication, performance optimization, and seamless user experiences. As a tech enthusiast, he is committed to building innovative and efficient digital solutions.
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."
Arthur Ashe


Head of Marketing
Meet Madeline Strand
Madeline is a storyteller at heart and a strategist by trade. With a background in brand marketing, digital campaigns, and community engagement, she knows how to turn ideas into action and audiences into die-hard fans. Whether she’s building global campaigns or crafting the perfect email, she’s all about making connections that matter. At Gladiator Tennis, Madeline is on a mission to grow the sport by making it more accessible, more engaging, and—most importantly—more fun. If there's a creative way to get players excited, she’ll find it.
Head of Marketing
Meet Madeline Strand
Madeline's love for racket sports took off in college when she captained her squash team, and she’s been hooked ever since. She's taken her competitive mindset to the paddle, pickleball and tennis courts, armed with a killer backhand slice that keeps her opponents on their toes. She loves the chess match of a good rally—setting up points, finding the angles, and striking at just the right moment. Every Mother’s Day, she and her mom keep their long-standing tradition alive with a day of tennis, equal parts competitive and celebratory.
"I just love being on the court. I love competing."
Serena Williams


customer experience designer
Meet Morgan Sweet
As a CX design strategist, Morgan is passionate about understanding user needs and creating experiences that truly connect with people. She started in visual merchandising, where she developed a love for crafting meaningful customer interactions. That passion led her to UX, where she’s spent 11 years honing strategy, design, and digital experiences. Morgan co-founded (sh)UX to help businesses create intuitive solutions and is excited to bring that expertise to Gladiator Tennis, co-creating the player experience with our players.
customer experience designer
Meet Morgan Sweet
You could say tennis is in Morgan's DNA—she was born into a tennis-loving family and has been playing her entire life. Now, Morgan loves hitting the court with her husband and their two young daughters, who are already growing their own love for the game. Off the court, the Sweets are kept busy by their two French Bulldogs, who enjoy tennis balls a little too much—so they have to sit out on matches!


Customer Experience Designer
Meet Jessica Hiltrop
As one of two CX designers for Gladiator Tennis, Jessica thrives on tackling new user experience challenges and creating solutions that truly serve players. As one of the founders of (sh)UX, a user experience agency, Jessica has honed expertise in strategy, design, and delivering seamless interactions. That same level of passion and precision is brought to Gladiator Tennis, ensuring every player's journey is as engaging as their time on the court. More about Jessica's professional experience can be found at shux-studio.com.
Customer Experience Designer
Meet Jessica Hiltrop
Though a newcomer to tennis on the Gladiator Tennis team, Jessica makes up for it with a strong competitive spirit. Anyone facing Jessica on the court is likely in for an easy win—but never without a fight! Outside the "arena," Jessica enjoys adventures with a husband, 2-year-old daughter, and dog. A passionate book enthusiast, Jessica also loves spending time in the Glen Ellyn community and can occasionally be spotted attempting cross-country skiing.
"I’m not afraid of anyone, but sometimes I’m afraid of myself."
Justine Henin


Market Analyst
Meet Lynsy Dimarco
Lynsy Dimarco is a recent graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned her degree in Marketing and Professional Sales. Passionate about connecting with others, Lynsy thrives on meeting new people and building lasting relationships. As a Market Analyst, she will be responsible for all market research projects and community outreach.
Market Analyst
Meet Lynsy Dimarco
With a love for all things competitive, I was a key leader on my college dance team. I still managed to find time to play tennis and pickleball with my friends. Now, as a Gladiator, I’m looking to meet more tennis players and improve my skills.