Laycob family continues tennis legacy at Central Institute for the Deaf

It’s a tradition that goes back generations, if not centuries. If your father or grandfather was successful in his profession, you’re more likely to pursue that profession yourself.

Michael Laycob’s grandfather, Paul Mendelson, was a board member of Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis. He and his wife, Betty, who passed in late February, founded the tennis program at CID before transitioning leadership to Michael. Keeping that line moving, Michael is in the process of passing it on to his son, Ethan.

Ethan, by the way, is one really impressive 14-year-old kid.

“It started when I was a junior tennis player,” Michael said. “Tennis has been a big part of my life. Ethan is following in those same steps as well, being a highly competitive junior player.

“When my grandfather told me about what he had started at Central Institute for the Deaf, I came out just to help. Even though I’m personally not hearing impaired, I was captivated by how much joy the students at CID were having learning the sport. That joy was infectious, and I just fell in love with what was happening there.”

Funding Fuels Tennis

CID received grant money from USTA St. Louis. With that funding, the organization purchased tennis equipment for the participants. They play at the recently refurbished Hudlin Park tennis courts, which are operated by Washington University in St. Louis. The courts are less than a half mile from CID. 

“Mr. Hudlin represented St. Louis as a player and a coach with honor,” Michael said. “There’s a lot of history with what Mr. Hudlin accomplished, and it’s special to have the opportunity to play on those courts.”

Ethan has played on those courts, among many others, for as long as he can remember. Many of his memories revolve around volunteering for CID.

“I’m playing a lot of tennis right now,” he said. “I play with a group of friends who I train with. One day, I came out to CID and saw what my dad was doing with the kids. The next year, he wanted me to come out and do it with him.

“I really saw the impact he was making—that he got passed down from his grandfather—and I was really excited to jump into it with him this year.”

The plan is for Ethan to take over full control of the program through a gradual transition, though Michael will always be right there with him.

“I’m very excited,” Ethan said. “I think next year maybe I’ll have even more leadership than this year. In the last couple of years I’ve been watching how my dad’s been running the program, and a few years ago how my great-grandfather was running the program.