2024 Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award

Presented at the 2024 Awards Luncheon at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel in Irving on Saturday, Feb. 10th:

What impact has this recipient had on YOU?

"I think what makes Neil deserving of this award is his emphasis on education. He doesn't need to have some 'system' that's one of a kind, the best in Texas, or produces players like no one else. Additionally, he doesn't care to coach 'high performance only' to show what he can do. He doesn't coach to be recognized or for credit. He coaches to educate. He coaches anyone that asks for help.

"He loves coaching green ball players, he loves coaching JV players, and he loves helping highly competitive players. He looks at a player/person exactly where they are and genuinely thinks about how he can best help them. As an educator, this is the entire game. I've seen him do this for all kinds of players, and he doesn't miss. 

"With this approach, often the greatest impact you can have on a kid is subtle and goes unrecognized, unless you're watching closely.  What I am describing are the reasons Neil does not get the credit he deserves as one of the best junior coaches in the entire country. 

"Neil and I have run junior camps together, we meet for breakfast regularly, and are good friends. He is a mentor to me. When he mentions something tennis related I listen closely. How I teach the serve, forehand backswing, volley, etc. to junior players has improved so much from listening to Neil. He has helped me educate junior players. He has helped me educate other coaches. This makes his impact in junior tennis education exponential. 

"He's doing things the right way, and he is very much deserving of the Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award."

– Hunter Bajoit

"I first heard about Neil Adams from a mutual friend, Don Usher, in 1980. I heard from Don, a very well-respected coach under Vic Braden’s tutelage at the time, that this kid from San Antonio, was an amazing player, unbelievably competitive and had a heart as big as the universe. I was the men’s varsity tennis coach at the University of Illinois at the time, so needless to say, I jumped. I contacted Neil and began conversations to recruit him to come to Illinois. Everyone I spoke to said, ‘You’ll never get a kid out of Texas to come to Illinois.’ Well, I persisted, and thank God I did!

"As I got to know Neil and his mom, I found that Neil was everything that Don Usher said, and more. I loved his family, and the young man! In all our recruiting conversations and trips, it came down to him taking a chance on me, and on Illinois. He took that chance and I had the opportunity to coach an incredible young talent and impressive young man.

"Neil was a sponge when it came to learning. He soaked up everything and learned what would work for him, and what wouldn’t work for his game. He was driven to be the best competitor he could be. We had numerous meetings in my office about what he could do to become a better player. In addition to his competitive nature, he became a leader. The other team members respected Neil and his style; even during difficult times. Neil always rose above the fray and maintained a tremendous sense of reason. 

"He went on to become an All Big Ten recipient, and then later to coach the same team he was recruited to play for. As a coach, he obviously excelled, winning a Big Ten Championship!

"I am not at all surprised that Neil is receiving the Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award. His yearning to improve himself and to help others, has brought him to this point. Neil has authored books and is one of our country’s most respected teachers and coaches. 

"I am honored beyond imagination to write this letter of congratulations and testimony for Neil’s award ceremony. It has been a privilege to watch from the sidelines as Neil became his own self-actualized person, and has made a difference in so many lives.

"Congratulations Neil! I am incredibly proud of you!"

– Jack Groppel