Longtime Ocean City Tennis Coach Receives City's Highest Honor

Ocean City recently recognized Ventnor’s Phil Birnbaum for 38 years of service to Ocean City’s tennis program.

Mayor Jay Gillian honored Birnbaum with an “Ocean City Piece of the ‘Walk,” the City’s highest honor.

He started the Ocean City High School boys tennis program in 1970, and took over the girls program in 1986, according to njacsports.com.

He won eight South Jersey titles as a high school coach. He is in the NJSIAA, South Jersey Tennis Association and Ocean City High School halls of fame.

Birnbaum also started the women’s tennis program at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 2000. He retired in June of this year after 13 years as a coach at the school.

While at Stockton, he was named NJAC Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012, and the Ospreys had just one losing season. He was the USTPA Middle States Coach of the Year in 2012.

In 2013, he secured a $20,000 grant from the USTPA for repairs for 10 tennis courts in the City that were damaged during Hurricane Sandy, including eight on 35th Street.

Many of his players went on to successful tennis coaching careers throughout the county, according to Mark Soifer, Ocean City Public Relations Director.

The attached photo was provided by Mark Soifer, Ocean City Public Relations Director: Phil Birnbaum of Ventnor was honored recently for his 38 years of outstanding service to Ocean City’s Tennis program. Mayor Jay Gillian presented the talented administrator and coach with an Ocean City Piece of the ‘Walk, the City’s highest honor. Birnbaum was also a successful and revered coach at Stockton State College. Many of his players moved on to coaching careers throughout the Country. Also honoring Birnbaum at the appreciation ceremony is Michael Dattilo, City Business Administrator.