Middle States

Elijah’s Story

At first, it was just something to try.

 

When Eric Williams registered his son, Elijah, for Special Olympics in 2007, tennis was simply another sport to test out. Neither of them had any experience, but as soon as Elijah picked up a racquet at Legacy Youth Tennis and Education, something clicked.

 

“I could see a spark in him,” Eric said. “He gravitated toward tennis. No coaching, no experience, he was just going for it.”

 

That spark has grown into something far more powerful.

 

Now 27, Elijah has competed in the Special Olympics Spring Games, Sectionals, and most recently, the Summer Games at Penn State, where he earned gold in both singles and doubles. And while medals are exciting, Eric is quick to note: “It was never about winning. It was about inclusion, making friends, and building a network. Tennis gave him that.”

 

Jerry Colston, a longtime Special Olympics coach with 15 years of experience, has watched Elijah grow from a young beginner into a confident champion.

Working with Elijah for the past 12 years created a special bond between the two. 

 

“He just kept getting better and better,” Colston said. “He’s an extraordinary person, very determined and develops skills very quickly.” 

 

For Colston, Elijah’s story offers something even greater than athletic success. “After reading this story, others can say, ‘I can do this too, I can be just like Elijah,’” he said.

 

Elijah’s love of tennis has also inspired something bigger: Project Elijah Empowering Autism (PEEA), a community initiative named in his honor. PEEA hosts year-round education and recreational programs for families (ages 6 and up) living with autism, with Elijah playing multiple roles: participant, coach and ambassador.

 

Off the court, Elijah’s achievements are equally as impressive. He works at a local Rehabilitation Center in the dietary department and rarely misses a chance to help out around the house.

 

“Sometimes I have to slow him down,” Eric said. “He’s always ready to help.”

 

For Eric, Elijah’s story is about more than a sport.

 

“This is what people need to see,” he said. “Just because you experience the world differently doesn’t mean you can’t live a full, productive life.”

With the Adaptive Qualifier and a US Open Net Generation on-court experience in the coming months and the World Games in Santiago, Chile in 2027, the family’s dreams continue to grow through tennis: building opportunities, sharing Elijah’s journey, and lifting up others in the process.

 

“I love tennis,” Elijah said with a smile.

 

And it is with that sentiment and joy that Eric’s goal in creating Project Elijah continues its impact on the Williams’ family and many others.

 

“We always wanted to grow tennis on a larger scale,” he said. “Not just for the sake of tennis, but for those with autism or unique abilities.”

Jerry Colston & Elijah Williams
Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Visit the Champion in the Community page
    Champion in the Community
    January 16, 2026
    What is a champion? Winner, advocate, coach, proponent and defender. No matter what synonym you use, they all define Greg Scott. On Friday, May 2, Scott will be honored with the Champion in the Community Award at Jefferson Moss-Magee’s 25th Annual Night of Champions fundraising event, benefiting the hospital’s patient and community programs. Read More
  • Visit the Tennis Central page
    Tennis Central
    January 16, 2026
    USTA Middle States is continuing its content series, Sharing Our Stories, that celebrates the life-changing, positive impact that our local National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network is making. Through human interest stories and spotlights, Sharing Our Stories will showcase many of the remarkable individuals and programs within our NJTL network who are following the USTA Foundation's mission of bringing tennis and education together to change lives. Read More
  • Visit the Player, Coach & Volunteer page
    Player, Coach & Volunteer
    January 13, 2026
    Those connected to tennis in the northeast should already know the name Ann Koger. But even those who know her well are often surprised at her impact on the Black tennis community and the sport as a whole. Read More