In 1964, Barbara Wynne (affectionately known as "BB") founded the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Development Fund. Soon after, BB's Indianapolis Community Tennis Summer Program began "serving" an estimated 50,000 tennis loving kids of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, and has continued to do so for over 55 years. At nearly 87, BB still continues to personally teach the youngest kids in the program she created. BB's love for her program kids not just palpable, it is verbal. She ends every conversation with an affirming "love you, love you." They return the love by coming back year after year for the program and - once they go to college - many of the return to help as summer program coaches.
My son, Jonathan (JJ), is one of BB's kids. He began attending the program at age 9. For him, nothing beat spending all day, every week day, at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center at North Central High School with his his tennis friends. There, he met his best friend, BB's grandson, JT Wynne.
From the summer program, both JJ and JT gained not only tennis skills, but life skills : winning and losing, teamwork, self-control, dedication, etc.... Each went on to have competitive individual junior tennis careers, traveling together to tournaments all over the U.S. They competed together as doubles and team partners and against each other in individual matches. During their travels, they met even more kids and developed a network of tennis kids. I loved watching these kids fiercely battle on the court, then play cards a few minutes later. Many of these tournaments - both local and national level -- were played right here in Indy at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center.
With their high school teammates -many of them also from BB's summer program -- the boys earned 3 consecutive Indiana State Championships. JJ won a fourth in doubles play. They both went on to successful college careers, even playing each other's team once. Between them, they had multiple NCAA tournament appearances and All American titles. Covid 19 cut their senior season short and abruptly ended their collegiate tennis careers. But, fittingly, they will both attend IU Law School in the fall.
Watching my son and JT play tennis, meet lifelong friends and grow into phenomenal young men - in large part due to their education at the Indianapolis Tennis Community Program-- has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Please help this exceptional program survive the financial ravages of Covid 19. Together, let's ensure that 50,000 more kids like JJ and JT benefit from the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Program.
Please help keep BB's legacy alive for generations to come.
