The Tallahassee Tennis Challenger, celebrating its 26th year, was forced to move play to Florida State’s University’s indoor tennis facility due to heavy rain over several days of play for the USTA Pro Circuit tournament.
As a result, community events had to be cancelled or rescheduled. Fortunately for Boys Town, Monday’s event on April 28 went off without a drop of rain. Several players from the Florida A&M University men’s tennis team came out to assist with the event and to treat the kids to several tennis activities.
More than 30 kids participated in the event, and will soon be invited to participate in an after-school program that will be organized and run by local volunteers from the Tallahassee Tennis Association.
The tournament’s largest community event, the Special Olympics Tennis Carnival had to be rescheduled into three separate events — one event was held on May 2 at Gretchen Everhart, one was held on May 9 for the high school kids, and one will be held on May 23rd for the middle school kids.
More than 250 kids participated in these events. Sponsors of the community events included the USTA Pro Circuit; the USTA Florida Section Foundation; Greenberg Traurig Law Firm; Tallahassee Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs; and Blue Bell Ice Cream.
None of these events could have been possible without the many volunteers and teachers/aides who every year donate their time and energy to help make sure that all the participants have a positive experience. Special thanks to Tallahassee Tennis Challenger Tournament Director Karen Vogter who secures sponsorships each and every year, helping to make sure the events are a huge success.
