In their own words: Lou Welch on Women’s History Month
As we celebrate Women’s History Month throughout March, we look toward leaders in tennis who are working to spread this sport far and wide. This month, you'll meet leaders who are telling their first-person stories and who recognize the influences family, friends, players, teachers and coaches have had on the direction their lives and careers have taken—and how that direction is positively impacting the newest generations. Today, meet Lou Welch.
Tennis has been a passion of mine since I can remember. My love for tennis only grew as I joined my high school and college teams, beginning a tennis-filled life. While on these teams, I formed strong friendships with my teammates and the larger tennis community. After graduating with a degree in therapeutic recreation, I wanted to help others find their passion too.
Moving into the professional world, I held various roles in healthcare, marketing and pharmaceutical sales. While I cherished these experiences, I knew my heart was always with helping others. After marrying my husband and having two children, I took the time and privilege to focus on home life. As my children entered high school, I began looking for a part-time job with the flexibility to keep family-life commitments while using my talents to help others.
Around that time, I happened to run into Kelly Gaines, the executive director of USTA North Carolina. I knew Kelly from playing tennis in college, and we still shared the same passion for the sport. She mentioned a job opening with Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina (ATANC) here in Raleigh, and explained the position—creating tennis programs for people with intellectual disabilities. The job was 10 hours per week with the opportunity to grow into something much bigger.
The first year was stressful for many reasons; in fact, I nearly resigned. Today, I look back and am so thankful I persevered. I often use this example to encourage others to forge through tough times to see what is on the other side. Now, 10 years later, I can say confidently that I have found my purpose in life.
Providing programming to people with limited opportunities to play tennis goes beyond any personal reward and has little to do with tennis. It is about building community, creating socializing opportunities, and improving physical fitness and overall well-being. The families I meet and work with are the best in the world.
As this is Women’s History Month, I must recognize the inspiration I get from seeing the incredible strides women have made in the world of tennis. Courts across the country are filled with women who are coaching and organizing local leagues to leading tennis academies and holding key positions within the USTA. I am looking forward to seeing what further strides women will make in the world of tennis.
Photo courtesy of Lou Welch.
Tennis has enriched my life in countless ways. The lessons learned on the court have translated into invaluable life lessons, such as perseverance, friendships, fitness, mental acuity and now even guiding my career path. I could never have fathomed the pure joy my job could bring.
Now, I get lessons in life from the Abilities Tennis athletes. They teach me to enjoy our sport, win or lose; to be happy for those who win; and be thankful for any time on the court. These are principles we often learn growing up, but these athletes take it to the next level in their unadulterated glee for someone else’s success.
One moment from my first tournament stands out: I saw an athlete run to the net after being aced in order to high-five his opponent and tell him he was playing great and to keep up the good work. It showed a level of sportsmanship I aspire to embody. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I am committed to working on it every day.
[Editor’s Note: Lou Welch is a member of the USTA National Adaptive Tennis Committee, the USTA Southern Adaptive Tennis Committee and the North Carolina Adaptive Committee, along with the North Carolina Tennis Foundation Board. Under her leadership, ATANC has expanded to now serve over 600 athletes at 30 locations across North Carolina and hosts seven annual tennis tournaments. ATANC was named the 2019 USTA North Carolina and USTA Southern Community Tennis Association of the Year. At the 2018 US Open, Abilities Tennis was honored with the USTA's National Adaptive Tennis Community Service Award. Welch received the Mary Milam Life Time Achievement Award in2019 and the National Education Merit Award in 2018. In 2019, Welch took 25 Abilities athletes to perform a demonstration in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open.]
—Edited by Peter Francesconi
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