WINTER 2009 - the Colorado Tennis Association

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pa g e 18colorado tennis WINTER 2009For the past three decades, Colorado Tennis (néeHigh Bounce in 1977) has been bringing you profilesof local players, coaches, administrators and anyoneelse in the Colorado tennis community who shares their passionfor the sport with others.In the Fall 2009 issue, we debuted HIGHFIVE(H5.01), a set of five profiles on individuals whodeserve recognition for their efforts and accomplishments.As always, some you will know, while otherswill be fresh names and faces.As always, we encourage readers to help usrecognize others who they think deserve specialrecognition. Email Kurt Desautels, at EDITOR@COLORADOTENNIS.com with your suggestions.ONEkarenbrandnerStory byDennisHuspeniKaren Brandner knew the powerof tennis from a young age.But she vividly witnessed thepower of the sport to create friendshipswhen she attended the memorialfor her father Jerry Hughes, alongtime fixture on the ColoradoSprings tennis scene.“It was heart-warming to see at hismemorial all the people he touchedin 45 years of tennis,” said Brandner,director of The Broadmoor’s tennisprogram. “It underscored how tennishas been such a huge part of mylife – growing up, (Wasson) highschool, (The University of Denver)college – and all the friendships I’vedeveloped through the sport.”Brandner took over as the resort’sdirector three years ago after working12 years as an assistant to popular former director Dennis Ralston.Though it can be easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of Colorado’stop-rated resort, Brandner has continued to stay grounded by bringing tennis toarea youth – especially the less fortunate ones.In 1998, Brandner was instrumental in founding the Pikes Peak CommunityTennis Association.“It’s a really rewarding program – we put racquets and balls into the handsof hundreds of kids who could not afford to play tennis,” she said. “It’s alwaysimportant to reach out to the community, whether it is to kids or anyone lessfortunate.”Though Brandner, a past president of the PPCTA, is no longer directly involvedwith the association, she always is looking out for its next fundraiser.“Next year, we’re going to bring back the wood racquet tournament in honorof Jack Kramer with the proceeds going to the Pikes Peak Community TennisAssociation,” Brandner said.This summer, she helped organize the Broadmoor’s first Rally for the Cure tennisevent to raise awareness for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation: “It wasfun to see women, and men, come together for a cause they are really passionateabout and a sport they’re passionate about. The combination was magic!”It may sound corny to those who don’t know the game, but Brandner sees it asmore than a diversion.“Tennis is kind of a microcosm of life,” she said. “The structure of the matchand moving on, even within the game, set, match and tournament – you workyour way through the ranks. It really does develop all the skills for life: character;sportsmanship, tenacity and just that ability to stick to something.” 3Story byLINDASARGENT WEGNERAsenior atKent Denver,1 8 - y e a r- o l dTWOJames Martinez hasa special appreciation for tennis. Freshoff a 4A high school number 1 doubleschampionship and team title, heacknowledges, “Tennis has allowedme the opportunity to meet a lot ofpeople who have made a differencein my life. I am a student and tennisplayer at Kent because of the connectionsI made through tennis.”When James was 10 years-old,his basketball coach, Tobias Ortegon,encouraged him to play tennis. As itturns out, James’ grandfather, KellyLovato, had taught Ortegon how toplay tennis years ago in the DenverParks and Recreation system.James’ first reaction was less thanenthusiastic at the time, but he soonrealized how special tennis was. WithOrtegon as his skills coach all theseyears, and his grandfather taking onthe role of mental coach, personalnutritionist and chauffer, James hashad a tremendous support system.“Tobias is like an uncle to me, andmy grandfather has done so much toprovide a good foundation for me,”James says.From the time he was introducedto tennis, James participated in theDenver Parks and Recreation tennisprograms. He now volunteers, underthe guidance of Ortegon, at the DPRtennis carnivals to work with the kidswho attend and want to learn thegame of tennis.Ortegon shares, “I truly believeit takes a whole community involvementto instill the values for successnext page
WINTER 2009colorado tennis pa g e 19Frank Adams grewup more than 1,500miles from Denver,coming into the gamethrough the NationalJunior Tennis league inPhiladelphia. The experiencemade him the manhe is today.THREEjamesmartinezcontinued from previous pagewhich (for James) started with his family,being raised by his grandparents, beinginvolved in the tennis programs at LaAlma Recreation Center and most importantlybeing an honor student throughouthis education.”With deep understanding of his tennispath, James states, “I realize that I amwhere I am today because others gavetheir time. I want to do the same for otherkids.”James future is bright. Next year heplans to attend college, although hehasn’t decided where. Having madethe honor roll at Kent all four years, heis hoping for an academic and athleticopportunity. 3Story bytomfasanofrankadamsThat man is one whosepassion is providing anopportunity to peoplewho would have a hardtime getting a break otherwise.“The important thing isthat everything matters,”said Adams, the headteaching pro at HighlandsRanch Tennis Pavilion.“Jack Lewis, who wasthe (Colorado TennisAssociation) presidentback around 1992 or sowhen I got involved, knew that I wanted to become involved as avolunteer,” Adams said. “The first committee that he placed me onwas the diversity committee which was brand new to the USTA andto the Intermountain Tennis Association.”Adams said he cares about trying to include all those people whomay have not had an entry into tennis in the past. “So we’re talkingabout African American, Asian American, Hispanics and also theNative American community,” Adams said. “I do feel strongly thateveryone should have equal opportunities in everything.”Adams is also a wheelchair tennis coach for the ColoradoWheelchair Tennis Foundation, and a trainer for both the USTARecreational Coaches Workshop and Recreational QuickStartTennis Training Workshop.“I think that’s part of why I feel strongly about wheelchair tennisand Special Olympics,” he said. “These are areas that may gounnoticed because, frankly, they’re just not profitable. It’s easier toreach out to the masses and other more lucrative events, but thereare those whose numbers are really small that if someone doesn’treally care about them then no one else might be motivated tomake sure that they have the same opportunities I have.”It’s all about fairness to Adams, who has been named a USTAMagazine Grass Roots Hero and the CWTF Pro of the Year, alsoearning the CTA's Arthur Ashe Award and the Intermountain TennisAssociation’s Volunteer of the Year among other honors.“I was lucky enough to come into the game through the NJTLwhere all I did was show up at the tennis court. I never paid for alesson as a kid,” Adams said. “There was always an adult therelooking to guide me. I had that easy entry, and as I traveled andI grew older, I realized that it wasn’t provided for other people. Ithink if you’re given stuff, you have a greater responsibility to returnthose things that you’re given and try to give back. I’m lucky thatUSTA Colorado has been a conduit for me to help out with otherprograms.” 3next page
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WINTER 2009 - the Colorado Tennis Association

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