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A participant in the CASE Grand Slam Tennis Jam.
© Beverly Balowsky
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A few players in action at the CASE Grand Slam Tennis Jam.
© Beverly Balowsky
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Taking a break for lunch at the CASE Grand Slam Tennis Jam.
© Beverly Balowsky
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Despite the cold winds, and slightly cloudy conditions, 300 CASE elementary and middle school students came out to the Homer Ford Tennis Center at MacGregor Park full of energy and excitement. Each kid wore a white t-shirt with Grand Slam Tennis Jam written on the back and sported white US Open caps, while the frigid volunteers wore yellow Grand Slam Tennis Jam t-shirts.
The clinic began in the morning. From there, the kids gathered for a break and moved to the courtyard for lunch where they were greeted by Lisa Caruthers, Interim Director, Cooperative for After-School Enrichment. By this time the sun was shining bright, and the spirits of the students, volunteers, and all of the other guests shined along with it. Caruthers led the students in a tennis cheer. That was followed by a few words from Barry Ford, USTA Director of Outreach and Advocacy.
Mayor Bill White arrived at the park and greeted the kids. He spoke about being good tennis players and how today’s clinic should serve as a positive lesson. “I encourage young people today to view this as an opportunity, not just as a one-time experience. In tennis, you also learn how the sport serves as a good lesson in life. It’s not just about how good you hit the ball, but where you hit the ball.” From there he presented the proclamation. “On behalf of the two million people in the city of Houston, I get to recognize this day as ‘CASE Grand Slam Tennis Jam Day.’ I love that.”
The students gathered their belongings and walked to the buses to head out to the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships at the River Oaks Country Club. After they were all settled in to the bleachers, Wayne Bryan, father of top-ranked men's doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan, greeted the kids and gave them a few inspirational words about tennis.
The students were able to watch the doubles match of David Martin & Sam Querrey vs. John Isner & Travis Parrott. Before the match began, Wayne Bryan fired up the kids and encouraged them to cheer as loudly as they could for Isner and Parrott, while another visiting school, St. John School of Houston, were encouraged to cheer for Martin and Querrey. It turned out to be the battle of the cheers. Before the match began, both schools competed in a mini tennis shoot out.
The CASE students went home with the win when Isner and Parrot won the match. Following the match, all of the students filed out of the bleachers and headed back to the buses. Their fun-filled day ended with the same energy and excitement, along with plenty of smiles, cheers, and long-lasting memories.
“All opportunities like the Grand Slam Tennis Jam and the opportunity to attend the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships, opens kids’ eyes to what’s possible," said Ford. "It opens a sense of their own life’s chances. But I also think it makes tennis much more accessible for them. It gives them the idea that hey, its not just for other kids in the other parts of town. I too can be a tennis player, and enjoy tennis throughout my life.”
“There are a lot of unused tennis courts around Houston. And the QuickStart program that’s been brought to us by the United States Tennis Association has allowed these kids to engage in activity that they can do in their own communities," said Caruthers. "They’re learning in an after-school program, which is important to us at CASE. What we find critical, is that not only are they learning hobbies and skills, but they are learning something that they can use as a potential career path. By them having the opportunity to attend a national professional tournament located in their community, they are given the chance to observe players they can identify with and strive to become in the future.”