Tennis: A Parent’s Gift That Lasts a Lifetime By Lonnie Mitchel
T
he article in the May/June 2009 issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine entitled, “College Tennis Advice” by Clark D. Ruiz II, was terrific advice for a young tennis enthusiast who wants to play in college and us crazy tennis parents who have high aspirations for our sons and daughters. I recently traveled on a similar journey with my own son who now plays on a Division 3 college team (Muhlenberg College). My younger son also participates in the Long Island Junior Tennis Tournaments, however, we do not have the means to travel all over the United States and stay in hotels and pay for all those junior tournaments, not to mention the prohibitive costs of training. As a USPTA-certified tennis instructor, I am acutely aware of the sacrifices needed to maybe just maybe get a tennis scholarship to a Division I college. Forget about getting a sniff at the professional tennis circuit, it was out of reach for my son as it is for many highly ranked juniors. In our case, we found the ticket for our son was to stress academics with a tennis minor so to speak. “Good grades, a well-rounded education and tennis for a lifetime,” was the message. We used tennis as simply a means to perhaps put him over the edge at a highly academically ranked college. He plays on a tennis team, travels and gets the experience of being involved in NCAA college athletics. The lesson here is an underlying one … I believe, as tennis parents, we need to give our children the gift that never stops giving, “The Joy of Playing Tennis,” and the ripple effect that comes with it. I see firsthand what a “tennis education” gives to our younger generation. Here on Long Island, there are many tennis clubs and public courts to help develop the skills for the young tennis player for both in tennis and life. Let’s not forget ... for us adults who still want to advance our game, the choices here on Long Island are endless. But let’s stick with the juniors for a moment and I will get back to us big kids in a bit. I ask you; for
those parents who love tennis or just being introduced to the game; where would you want your son or daughter to be hanging out on a Friday Night or Saturday afternoon? Yes, the local tennis center! I teach tennis part-time at Carefree Racquet Club in North Merrick, and when a child enrolls in the program, in addition to the weekly group lesson, he or she is entitled to come to weekend practice sessions with other juniors. They are not staying home sitting on the couch playing XBOX or in front of a computer doing the Facebook thing. They are out socializing with good kids from good families and running around hitting tennis balls in a supervised environment. Many of these kids do not play on the USTA Junior Circuit, but find much joy in challenging each other to be the club junior champion. Maybe they just aspire to make their local junior high or high school team. Perhaps they are using tennis to just be in a wholesome surrounding with kids of similar interest. To this, I say “wow” and a great job by the parents for introducing tennis as the sport for a lifetime! My son was so involved with the tennis program as a junior, that every now and then, he was even able to fill in as a fourth in an adult doubles tennis game. During those times, he was out on the tennis court in a
healthy environment, the light bulb finally went off in my head. We read every day as active Long Island tennis participants about the many highly ranked juniors we have here giving them the accolades they so richly deserve. However, we forget about the kids who play tennis more for recreation with lower aspirations and do not give them the credit they deserve. Many of these kids will be the tennis playing adults and instructors of the future. They are the ones who will frequent our clubs and parks, and keep tennis alive in the long-term. These are the ones who will captain and play on our 2.5 and 3.0 teams. These are the kids who will grow up and develop business and social networks through tennis and grow our game. These are the kids who will marry and have children who will also play tennis in the years ahead. To our schools throughout Long Island where, in most places, the tennis team operates under the radar screen behind the glory, tradition, notoriety and accolades of the football, baseball and basketball teams … I say embrace the boys and girls tennis team and let the student body know that education doesn’t only take place in the classroom. Tennis is truly a sport that will help you prepare you for life after the classroom. I love football continued on page 25
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