Lady Dons To Support Tennis Aces Program

Dec. 17, 2003

Its historic moniker has been the "sport for a lifetime". According to world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines, there is no doubt that tennis is one of the best sports for you to play.

Studies have proven that people who participate in tennis 3 hours per week (at moderately vigorous intensity) cut their risk of death in half from any cause. Tennis players score higher in vigor, optimism and self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, and anxiety and tension than other athletes and non-athletes according to Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University. The University of Illinois reports that tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, and thus may promote a lifetime of continuing development of the brain. Tennis outperforms most sports in developing "positive personality characteristics" according to Dr. Jim Gavin, author of The Exercise Habit.

With these results in mind, TENNIS ACES (Tennis Activities Centered on Education and Service) was born. TENNIS ACES is a youth tennis and education initiative starting in San Francisco and lead by the United States Tennis Association - Northern California Section. The initiative intends to give hundreds of children the opportunity to learn and play the fun and healthy sport of tennis. TENNIS ACES will be organized at schools, parks, and other tennis facilities. Youth participants will learn tennis skills, be encouraged to join a tennis team, read and report on professional players and learn about the countries those players come from. TENNIS ACES will incorporate fitness, tennis literacy, and community service with tennis activities for the entire family. There will be opportunities for youth to participate in training to become a tennis instructor and/or attend college on a tennis scholarship. TENNIS ACES is a citywide initiative that requires multiple community partners and financial assistance from public and private resources.

USF Professor, Jeremy Howell, is an enthusiastic partner of TENNIS ACES. Dr. Howell has contributed a $10,000 grant for TENNIS ACES from the Sports Philanthropy Program that he has developed in association with Western Athletic Clubs, owners of eleven health clubs in California and Washington State. The program leverages its student and professional base to complement and seed projects that increase physical activity among populations of all ages and provide sport opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

Dr. Howell is working closely with USTA NorCal Community Tennis Coordinator, Loretta Strickland, to insure the success of this exciting initiative. Coach Hilary Somers and the USF Lady Dons Tennis Team is adopting TENNIS ACES and will be assisting one of Dr. Howell's graduate students, Scott McRoberts, at a site or multiple sites near or on the USF campus. Other community partners include The Olympic Club Foundation, San Francisco Unified School District, Beacon Centers, San Francisco Recreation and Park Dept., California Mentor Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, Youth Tennis Advantage, and San Francisco Junior Tennis League.

USTA NorCal is presently recruiting others that want to be involved in TENNIS ACES. If you enjoy mentoring to children and like the sport of tennis, you may be perfect for this project. There are volunteer positions that can be recorded for community service hours. TENNIS ACES also offers part-time positions for tennis coaches and assistants. For more information about TENNIS ACES, contact Loretta Strickland at 707-473-9748 or email Strickland@norcal.usta.com. You may also contact Head Trainer, John Cervantes, at 415-751-5639 or email John at city10s@pacbell.net.