Courtesy of Mark PartridgeOn Saturday, March 22, the Washington University men’s and women’s tennis teams, led by coaches Roger Follmer and Kelly Stahlhuth, held the third annual Special Olympics Tennis Clinic at the Tao Tennis Center.
“This event is something that our teams look forward to every year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to perform fulfilling community service when it’s often hard to find time otherwise,” junior Eric Pollak said.
Co-captain Charlie Cutler agreed: “It’s great when the Special Olympics clinic comes around. We get a chance to really use our sport to do some good. The participants all seem to enjoy it, and it’s a great change of pace in the middle of a busy season.”
The participants in Follmer and Stahlhuth’s annual Clinic come from all over the state of Missouri to spend the day with the Wash. U. teams, playing tennis in a safe, fun and instructional environment.
“Thanks in large part to Staenberg and USTA MO Valley sponsorships, this event has consistently been a great success. [Coach] Kelly and I look forward to the Special Olympics Tennis Clinic every year,” Follmer said on Saturday.
Stahlhuth couldn’t agree more.
“The third annual Special Olympics Tennis Clinic was a fun, successful event again this year. It is a wonderful opportunity for any tennis player, beginner or advanced, to come together and play the sport they love. It is a day of fun-filled tennis, exercise and friendship. It is a day that the tennis teams remember, as well as the Olympic athletes.”
The unfathomably cold weather could hardly put a damper on this year’s activities. Despite the falling temperatures, the players, coaches and Olympic athletes played all sorts of games on the courts outside before retiring inside for lunch.
“Although a bit chilly this year, two hours of tennis was rewarded with free t-shirts, Pointer’s pizza and Ted Drewes,” Follmer said.
Since the clinic has ended, both teams have played exceptional tennis. The men are ranked second in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll while the women are ranked 24.