To say that Liberty High School tennis coach Leo Schnalzer is retiring would be an overstatement; instead, he is taking a break for awhile.

“I love tennis, and I like being around it. I will still be there to help Chris [Conrad], and I’ve already gone to a few practices, so I will help him with whatever he needs,” Schnalzer said.

Conrad was the head coach of the girls’ team last year while Schalzer stayed with the boys. Now, Conrad will oversee both teams.

“Chris played four years for me, he’s been helping with coaching, and he knows the kids well and has a good relationship with the kids, so it’s been a pretty easy transition for the kids and myself and Chris,” said Schnalzer.

In honor of Schnalzer’s taking a break, Conrad contacted other tennis coaches and former Liberty tennis players to celebrate. About 35 people surprised Schnalzer last month at a gathering at the Heights in Bethlehem.

“I saw about six tables filled up, and I thought, what are they doing here?” Schnalzer said.

In the last two seasons, Schnalzer’s boys’ team won two District XI Class 3A team tennis championships, and two doubles teams were also district champs.

“It was nice to see the quality and see the better players helping the younger kids, and I never minded teaching kids who had never played. I like the whole range,” he said.

What Schnalzer didn’t like was getting bogged down in emails, and texting, and social media.

As one of his friends said, you’re better off yelling out your window to get a hold of Leo.

“My reward comes from seeing the kids, and being involved, and loving the sport,” Schnalzer said.