We all looked forward to Tuesday and Thursday evenings. From 6:00–9:00 p.m., our schedules were planned around one thing: tennis night at McAdams Park! That’s what the kids would say. Maurice and I loved and cherished those evenings for so many reasons. Tennis was something our entire family could enjoy together. It was free, it kept our children vibrant and active, and, most importantly, it gave them skills and life lessons they could carry with them for a lifetime.

 

The McAdams Park NJTL program offered an incredible gift to our community. It was a complimentary tennis program open to all ages, and we embraced every opportunity it provided. The program even encouraged the children to write essays about Arthur Ashe for a chance to attend the US Open. In 2017, Kira WON the essay contest! Her prize included a round-trip ticket to New York and an unforgettable weekend at the US Open. What an amazing experience that was! All four of our children Sydney, Miyah, Kira, and Jayden started playing tennis in elementary school. Their love for the game propelled them through middle school, high school, and even into collegiate play. Both Sydney and Kira were fortunate to receive scholarships from the USTA.

 

Their dedication went far beyond the free community sessions. They continued developing their skills through group and private lessons at the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center, where they competed, challenged themselves, and worked to master their craft. Those tennis courts truly felt like our second home. We were there so often that being on the courts simply felt natural. But tennis was never just a sport to us. Tennis was a classroom. It was a place where our children learned character development, discipline, focus, confidence, and accountability. As singles players, they had to learn how to manage themselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically. There was no teammate to blame and no one else to make the decision for them. Every choice, every mistake, every point, and every victory belonged to them. Tennis taught each of our children to take ownership of their performance and their choices. It taught them how to regroup after disappointment, remain focused under pressure, believe in themselves, and keep fighting when things didn’t go their way.

 

Those early lessons are evident in the remarkable achievements they continue to make today. Sydney McGrown has leveraged the strategic thinking she developed through tennis into earning a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Business Administration. Miyah McGrown, with her compassionate heart and determination, has earned her RN degree and is building a career centered around caring for others. Kira McGrown has embarked on an inspiring journey at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, a testament to her discipline, focus, and relentless pursuit of knowledge. And our youngest, Jayden McGrown, continues to shine on the varsity tennis team—and this year, he even made it to State!

 

When I look back, I realize those Tuesday and Thursday evenings were about so much more than tennis. We thought we were simply taking our children to the courts to learn how to play a game, but God was using those moments to build something much greater. God was building discipline, character, confidence, resilience, accountability and determination.

 

The foundation laid during those cherished evenings at McAdams Park continues to serve our children well—not only on the court, but in the classroom, in their careers, and in life. Tennis gave them a game to play, but it gave us a foundation for life. And for that, we will forever be grateful.

-Christy & Maurice McGrown