Adopt-A-School Program Kicks Off
May 7, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
New York (May 7, 2003) - For the second consecutive season, the World TeamTennis Pro League gave back to the community with its Adopt-A-School Program when Coach Wayne Bryan of the Sacramento Capitals and Murphy Jensen of the Hartford FoxForce kicked off the 2003 WTT Adopt-A-School Program last week. In Sacramento, Bryan visited the Holy Family School in nearby Citrus Heights, where more than 200 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students participated in the excitement. "Coach Wayne" put on a clinic for the students, giving the kids a first hand opportunity to show off their tennis skills. In addition to a boisterous round of skills competitions and hitting contests, Bryan offered some advice. "Whether it is tennis or another sport or music or drama, each and every one of you should have some kind of hobby," said Bryan. The students were also personally invited by Bryan to attend the first Sacramento Capitals match on July 7 where the school's physical education program will be presented 25 tennis racquets donated by the WTT Pro League. On the same day but on the other side of the country, Murphy Jensen made a WTT Adopt-A-School visit to Torrington Middle School in Torrington, Conn., where he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 125 fifth graders. Jensen had been introduced to the students by email the previous week when he sent them a note to announce his visit. The popular star of the Hartford FoxForce tested the youngsters tennis skills with games, drills and a trivia contest. Jensen wrapped up the day by signing autographs for the students and inviting them to Hartford's July 27 home match against Delaware. As part of the WTT Adopt-A-School program, WTT players and coaches establish a dialogue and build relationships with the students via email, sending them updates on where they are traveling in the world and giving them a virtual tour of their environment. Players then visit the school and talk to the students about the dedication it takes to be a world class tennis player, while teaching them some fundamental tennis skills, answering their questions and signing autographs.
Martina Navratilova, Samantha Reeves, Meghann Shaughnessy, Trevor Kronemann and Brian MacPhie are among the players and coaches who will be participating in the Adopt-A-School Program in the months to come, some by sending emails from their travels and others by visiting their team's local school.
The 2003 WTT Pro League season runs July 7-27 with the WTT Finals slated for August 23. Official League sponsors include Gatorade, Penn Tennis Balls and Wilson Rackets. For more information on the WTT Pro League, visit www.WTT.com. WTT ADOPT-A-SCHOOL
Murphy Jensen's email to Torrington Middle School in Torrington, Conn.:
Hi there Superstars, I'm Murphy Jensen from the USA and I'm a professional tennis player. I'm also a mem- ber of the professional tennis team, the Hartford FoxForce. I have been playing tennis all my life and the best part of playing tennis is the friends that I have made around the world. I'm coming to visit you and pos- sibly make new friends this week. I really look forward to meeting you and having a great day Thursday.
Playing tennis professionally or just for fun is a great, great experience and it's something you can play all your life and you don't need huge teams to play. Anyway I can't wait to get to Hartford and see all of you.
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