Smiths Share Tennis Passion With Monett Community

Tennis continues to grow in one small southwest Missouri town thanks to the efforts of the latest USTA Missouri Valley Gold Star award winners at the Monett R-I School District.

In honor of its 100th anniversary this year, USTA Missouri Valley is recognizing 100 deserving tennis providers, players, partners and more throughout the section. These Gold Star awards recognize contributions to support and grow the game in USTA Missouri Valley.

Monett partners with the USTA to put on school programs thanks to the hard work from Alex Severs, the District Wellness Coordinator, and the husband-wife duo of Jason and Penny Smith. The Smiths are teachers in the Monett district and serve as the head and assistant coaches for the high school’s tennis teams.

“The community may be small, but they have people passionate about the sport of tennis here,” Lindsay Hall, Community Play Manager for USTA Missouri Valley, said. “The high school coach, Jason, was instrumental in helping spread the word about tennis in his communities, especially within the schools where the activities coordinator brought in the USTA to conduct trainings with staff to better support the efforts. Both Jason and Penny work within the school system and shared opportunities and resources available within the USTA. They've provided tennis opportunities to their students for school field days, PE classes, trainings for their PE staff, and summer camps. It's a true group effort in this community.”

Penny, in her 21st year teaching at Monett, described the award as a pleasant surprise. Jason has been with Monett for eight years. Their background in the game is much deeper than that, though.

“Jason started playing tennis when he was in middle school. We both played tennis in high school and two years in college,” Penny said. “We have both played in USTA tournaments for a number of years. Jason was the assistant tennis coach for Monett for three years before becoming the head coach and has been the head tennis coach for three years. I have been the assistant tennis coach now for three years in Monett.”

Monett averages 12-18 players each season, with the Smiths promoting the sport as much as possible. From free tennis summer camps for grades 3-12, to trips to see the Springfield Lasers, to an after-school health and fitness program for upper elementary students there are plenty of chances for Monett Cubs to learn about the game.

“We visit both our elementary buildings twice a year for an afterschool program to introduce tennis to our younger students,” Penny said. “Jason and I encouraged (Alex) to apply for the Net Generation grant to receive tennis equipment for our PE classes. We went through the training with our PE teachers to assist them in learning the skills to teach tennis in their PE classes. I think that continuing to promote tennis with our younger students will help grow our tennis program at the high school.”

The Smith’s passion for the game has not only impacted their athletes but also the whole Monett community.

“I am very proud of the enthusiasm our players have for tennis,” Penny said. “We enjoy having support from our community and park board. Jason and I want to share our love for the sport of tennis. Everything we do to promote tennis is our chance to share our love for the sport. It is exciting to teach the game to someone for the first time.”