As he steps out of his vintage Honda hatchback from the 1980s wearing his highlighter-green jumpsuit, Warren Barest makes a statement when he arrives in the student parking lot to coach the boys varsity tennis team. Fellow coaches and athletes alike know exactly when he arrives to start his 3:45 p.m. practice.
His striking appearance comes from the full-body tracksuits he wears to every practice. Barest, who just finished his first season coaching at Masters, said, “I’ve always loved the Adidas warm-up suits. When I was a kid in the 1980s, I just wanted to have one. And then when I became an adult, I said I was going to own one every day of the week in a different color.”
Beyond his fashion sense, Barest has been around the game of tennis for years. He said, “At Horace Greeley High School, I was all-state in tennis. I was No. 1 at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., and the tennis captain. I also was a tennis pro in the area for 15 years.”
His experience in the sport as a player has done more than strengthen his resume; it has given him the skills to guide the players of the future. Barest recalled one of his coaching highlights this season. He said, “Watching all the boys commit to learning something they’re uncomfortable with.” was one of the highlights this year.
This sentiment is reflected by the players Barest coaches.
Senior Will Tittelbaum has been playing tennis at The Masters School since his freshman year. He has experienced a range of coaches at Masters, but Tittelbaum said he recognized the importance of Barest’s coaching style. Tittelbaum said, “He’s definitely had a big impact during his first year. He’s done a lot more sprinting and fitness activities than past coaches.”
Tittelbaum explained some of the specifics of a typical practice. He said, “We run two or three suicides across the courts, making sure that the team is always on point.”
Sophomore Bobby Clement has played tennis since attending Middle School at The Masters School. Clement noted that he’s reached the goals he had set for himself at the start of the spring season. He said, “Our main goal as a team was to try and win some games. Winning was the most important thing. He tries to spread his wisdom to us with this goal in mind.”
Whether through his colorful style or coaching philosophy, Coach Barest has made a lasting impression on the Masters tennis community.
