Joint Base Andrews – October 5, 2013

Time to Play

Formerly known as Andrews Air Force Base, Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland, is now home to four branches of the military: Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. There are roughly 6,000 residents on base, but it’s probably best known for housing Air Force One and Two. JBA protects the nation’s capital air space, as well.

After the huge success at Ft. Bragg in July, all of us at T3 (Thanking Our Troops through Tennis) began planning for the next event at Joint Base Andrews. We quickly learned that, while no two events are alike, some constants remain….like the weather and other factors that we cannot control, such as government shut-downs.

Ft. Bragg’s over-riding concern was the weather. Torrential downpours threatened to make the event a wash-out. Although rain was not in the forecast at Joint Base Andrews, unusually high temperatures in the upper 80‘s had everyone wondering if they really wanted to spend a day on sweltering hard courts.

The number two concern at JBA was the looming threat of the government shut-down. Security is always an issue anywhere you go, but on military bases, it’s a way of life. Would we be able to bring tennis to the troops with only skeleton crews covering for furloughed workers? We collectively held our breaths and hoped that the special event wouldn’t be canceled.

As it turned out, Lt. Angela Urbina made the final call and decided to let us go ahead with the event. Thanks, LT Urbina! I wonder if she even knew that she was a tennis player….after two sessions on the court, she had us all wondering why she wasn’t on tour! A special thanks goes out to Sargeant Todd Jones, who worked with LT Urbina to make it a great day.

The weekend started Friday evening with a social event at The Club on base. What an amazing treat it was to drive past Air Force Two on our way there! “First Friday’s” are social events hosted by one of the four branches of the military housed at JBA. The event last Friday was hosted by the Air National Guard. T3 pros and support staff got to mingle with our nation’s servicemen and women, and we were honored to be included.

Wing Commander Bill Knight
Wing Commander Bill Knight

Wing Commander Bill Knight opened the festivities Saturday morning with a very moving speech. He talked about all the sacrifices that military families endure, such as long separations from one another and the moves they are asked to make many times throughout their careers. He thanked the T3 pros for sacrificing their weekend to come out and bring a day of fun to these families, opening doors for some of them and reintroducing the game to others.

Colonel Knight also pointed out the similarities between a sport such as tennis and the military, recognizing the discipline and resiliency it takes to do either well. His remarks were followed by Dick Stockton’s introduction of T3‘s legendary pros: Stan Smith, Gigi Fernandez and JoAnne Russell, followed by an introduction of local pros Kurt Blorstad and Damon Austin. T3 pros Steve and Mario Contardi of Cincinnati, Ohio once again joined us on the court, and this time they brought along two more family members, Steve’s wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Katie Sargent, to help with registration. Thank you, Contardis!
A huge shout- out goes to Suba Saty, Fitness Director of the West Fitness Center and members of his staff, including Charles Stevenson. and Sargeant Todd Jones. We cannot thank them enough. Suba spent endless hours helping organize the event, and no one knows more than he does how tough that was with a reduced work force.

Saturday morning began with temperatures in the upper 70’s, and quickly climbing. Sunblock, visors and hats generously provided by the USO were in demand. The USO also provided lunch for the 130 participants. Thanks Ed Shock, Vice President of Warrior and Family Care Programs, and to Jenn Hall and Beth Messerti for helping serve the food!

Coach JoAnne Russell
Coach JoAnne Russell

The first two tennis sessions saw some pretty interesting shots from players, from rank beginners to collegiate and high school players, to weekend warriors. Colonel Knight and his family, Captain Singleton, Cajun tennis player Dan, West Pointer Khahn Diep, Ed Shock, his daughter Meredith and Sargeant Brian Ferguson all took to the courts.

T3 was thrilled that the USTA partnered with us for this event. Karin Buchholz, Dan Limbago and Catalina made sure that the many kids who participated were exposed to some of the coolest tennis drills ever. It is our sincere hope that the partnership that was started this past weekend continues to grow. We feel that while it’s important to expose as many kids as possible to the game of tennis, it’s just as important that there is a path for continuity. Thank you, Karin!

Any event is only as good as the people who run it. A very special thanks to the Hayes Group. Jenny Tran, Matt and Wendy Salt, Meredith Resnick and Patrice Snow are consummate professionals with a vast array of talents, and they wear many hats. No task was too big or too small for any of them. More than that, we all enjoyed hanging out with them!

Please click on the link to the photo gallery. Trevor Chan was an unexpected surprise as the incredible event photographer. His three loves in life are the military, tennis and photographs….we were happy to combine all three in one day for him.

Once again there were numerous requests for follow-up lessons with longtime USPTA tennis professional, Jaime de Carvalho. He brought along his better half, wife Dawn. Not only is Dawn a teaching pro, as well, but she’s the creative artist behind the military wreathes that T3 presents to special recipients. (Jaime and Dawn also happen to be my parents).

Big Thank You to the Hayes Group
Big Thank You to the Hayes Group

While I’m thanking my family members, I need to mention my little sister, Joy who also happens to be one of our Board Members. I had my brother Colonel Frank de Carvalho to thank in Ft. Bragg, and now I thank my sister at JBA. Along with Kurt Blorstad, Jaime and Dawn, she gave a one- hour private lesson to 6-year-old Marvin Washington, after he showed up too late for the kid’s session.

Once again, T3 thanks Babolat for the racquets and shoes they so generously donated for the raffles- what a thrill to be able to win such high quality equipment.

A special thanks to Kevin Wensing of the Director Military Outreach, first and foremost for being such an awesome pen pal all these years, for making so many connections for us, for introducing T3 to the “right people,” and for letting us play tennis with his adorable daughter, Grace (who also happens to be an amazing soccer player).

Another heart-felt thank you goes out to Randy Gerber, Director of Military Sales for Disney, who always finds a way to be there for us and for our causes.

Sometimes you find people unexpectedly, and they turn out to be an invaluable resource. Liz Waters is that person. She took charge of getting the word out to schools and to kids’ programs to ensure that we had a good turn-out. It was a pleasure to meet her and her wonderful family.

Six Year old Marvin Washington with a few T3 Coaches
Six Year old Marvin Washington with a few T3 Coaches

When all the clinics were over, after everyone enjoyed the lunch provided by the USO food truck, the legend pros played an exhibition. I’m sure Stan and Gigi will want revenge on Dick and JoAnne for the loss…..Colonel Hartman had a blast on the sidelines, trash-talking Dick.

After the exhibition, Stan and Dick spent some time playing against some of the local talent. Fernando, an up- and- coming junior player could barely keep himself off the court during the Pro-Am, standing side by side with the “big boys” on the baseline.

By 5:00, T3 was packed up and ready to plan its next event. Possible venues are Ft. Jackson in South Carolina and or Ft. Bliss in Texas. We are in the process of conducting a “hot-wash” (a military term that means an evaluation of sorts) and will use the blue prints from Ft. Bragg and JBA to ensure another successful event.

Thanks to everyone. Words don’t come close to expressing how grateful we are to all of you.

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Thanking Out Troops Through Tennis

T3 at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, N.C. July 2, 2013

One week out from the very first T3 event, we started checking the weather.  At first, it was all good, “Hot, humid, with a mix of sun and clouds.”  As we got closer to Tuesday the 2nd, it didn’t look so promising, “60% chance of rain, heavy downpours, local flooding possible, check your local news stations for updates.”  With 175 people signed up for a tennis event, we officially started to come up with Plan B- go indoors to the Ritz-Epps Fitness Center. (There is a juice bar at Ritz-Epps, and they make, without a doubt, the best smoothies ever).

Working on the volley
JoAnne on the volley — at Ritz Epps Physical Fitness Center at Ft Bragg.

Plan B would work well with the little ones, we’d set up the mini nets, use the low compression balls and play lots of games.  They wouldn’t know the difference between our make-shift courts and the real deal.  Our concern was the adults and older kids.  How would they react to playing inside a gym on mini courts and nets, with balls used by the Ten and Under crew?

We found out very quickly that everyone LOVED the improvised format, thanks to the unbelievable job done by the pros.  Eddie Dibbs, Pam Casale-Telford, Jeff Telford, JoAnne Russell, Ira Peskowitz, Mario Contardi, Steve Contardi, Dawn de Carvalho, Jaime de Carvalho and Randy Gerber  ensured that the event was not only instructional,  but fun as well.  At one point during the first session of 10 and Under kids, I looked over to Pam’s court. She was teaching little ones, with one girl attached to her hip.

The support crew of Ellen Stone, Liza Cotter and Matt Salt made sure everything ran smoothly.  If there were any fires to put out, nobody knew about them.  Every time I thought of something that needed to get done, Ellen, Liza or Matt had already done it.

There were 4 sessions throughout the morning and early afternoon.  9:00-10:00 brought out the 10 & Under group.  50 kids spread out over 8 mini courts and nets with about 8 pros.  Most of the kids had never played before.  They were introduced to “Uppers and Downers,” shuffling, forehands, backhands and volleys.  Eddie Dibbs was sure he had the next Pete Sampras in his group.  After reading the surveys from that group, it is our sincere hope that the majority of parents who said they were going to enroll their kids in tennis lessons, follow through.

The next session involved kids in the age group 11-18 years of age.  The kids were divided according to ability as well as age. We were all pleasantly surprised that there were many teenagers.  The drills were slightly more complex, and although we were on a gym surface and not on true courts, we truly believe that the kids were able to get the concept of what the game is all about.   One of the mom’s of a 15 year old girl commented that although her daughter played many team sports, she had never been exposed to tennis, but she was eager to pursue tennis lessons locally.

At 11:00 the adults showed up. It was a mixed group of beginners, intermediates, advanced players and even some really good high school players.  One man, a retired army officer thanked us for bringing the event to the base.  He remarked that although there were many groups that showed their appreciation to the troops, he’d never experienced anything like the T3 program.  He brought his daughter, his son-in-law and grandson- all good players!  We thanked him and his family for the sacrifices they make for us.

What's new at Blue Sky
The group from the Ft Bragg T3 Event.

After a quick lunch break, everyone was back on the courts for the second adult session.  Many people had stayed from the 11:00 time slot to participate in the last session.  It was a mixed group of adults, high school players and even little ones.

It’s always a gamble when an event needs to change venues at the last minute.  We were worried that many people wouldn’t make the half hour drive across Ft. Bragg from the courts to the gym…but they did!  Chief volunteer and Ft. Bragg Tennis Club member Kevin Wells headed up an awesome team of volunteers: Tim Penarubia, Mari Penarubia, Mario Wozniak, Chris Esguerra, Richard Howell, Chuck Turay, Amy May, Julie Milani, Scott Miner, Jen Tyson and Ellen Novello.  Luz Arroyo worked tirelessly to get the courts ready. Mike Desmone, the new head of sports and recreation personally ensured that the courts would be ready.  Kurt Phoenix worked behind the scenes to get the support that this event needed.

Here is an example of what these volunteers did: I realized that a gift we’d brought for Jackie Thomas did not make the truck loads of equipment moved from the courts to the gym.  Within an hour, I had it in my hands because Chuck had driven back to the club to get it.  The fact that the volunteers  were so good is almost a double edged sword- we strongly feel that they set the bar so high for other volunteers, that maybe no one will even come close to what they did.  They spoiled us.

COL Frank De Carvalho was our contact at Ft. Bragg.  For those of you who’ve never had to deal with the military, it can be an intimidating experience.  Military personnel, and even the civilians that work for the military, have a language all their own of mostly acronyms and abbreviations.  COL De Carvalho not only made the jargon understandable, but he also put us in touch with the right people.  Jackie Thomas, Community Relations Specialist for Ft. Bragg was one of those people.  Both COL De Carvalho and Jackie Thomas were a huge part of why the event was so successful.  (COL De Carvalho also happens to be my brother, and I have now officially adopted Jackie as my sister).

A HUGE shout-out goes to the USO for the lunch they provided for everyone.  After all those hours on the court, it was greatly appreciated.

We are so grateful to Babalot for donating racquets and shoes as raffle prizes. The Contardis also donated some tennis items along with their invaluable knowledge and time.

After an event, Staff sits down and does a Post Event Analysis.  You look for things to make the next event better; things that worked, concepts that perhaps didn’t.  The one thing I would have changed is our departure time.  Instead of packing up the trailer, next time we’ll hang out with the volunteers and the people who made the event possible.  They were all a truly amazing group.

Sargeant Major McAndrews, Liz Stockton and COL Frank De Carvalho
Sargeant Major McAndrews, Liz Stockton and COL Frank De Carvalho

T3 will now start the process for setting up the next event, maybe  in Washington, D.C.  We will use the blue- print from Ft. Bragg, and pray that the personnel and participants there will be as awesome as the ones in Ft. Bragg.

It is our hope, that through T3,  we can continue to say thanks to all those who serve us, their families and all those who’ve served us and are no longer with us.

Thank you troops.  Thank you Ft. Bragg. Thank you volunteers and pros.

What's new at Blue Sky

Love All: 175 Military Dependents Benefit from Free Tennis Clinic – Fort Bragg, NC

T3, known as ‘Thanking our Troops through Tennis’ kicked off their tour at Fort Bragg and Stockton is hoping to generate more sponsorship support to continue the endeavor at other military posts across the U.S. with hopes of hitting the courts in the D.C. area this fall.

“We are so honored to be able to show the thanks to all the military, and on the tennis court, this is our home,” said Stockton. “This has been a great event today and I look forward to doing it again.”

The youth started the morning with some basic drills, tips and core foundations of the game in mini-workshops inside Fort Bragg’s Ritz-Epps gymnasium – due to the torrential downpour. Racquets were provided and door prizes were given away at the end of each clinic.

Renee Lane from the USO was on hand to view the aspiring tennis players progress and said she was glad that the USO was able to sponsor the hot lunch catered to the participants that afternoon.

“We really appreciate the volunteers at Blue Sky and how they’ve honored the military here today,” said Kevin Wells from Fort Bragg’s recreational tennis program before presenting the team of T3 volunteer coaches with t-shirts from Fort Bragg. “This has been a really great experience and so many great stories have already come from today’s event.”

Different age groups were routed through the clinic and divided according to ability group taking tips and getting some volley time with former tennis professionals – to include the winner of the 1977 Wimbledon Championship, JoAnne Russell whose partner was Australia’s Helen Gourlay.

“My mom has always played and I never thought it could be so much fun,” exclaimed Kristin, a third grade student at Butner Road Elementary School.”I really want to take lessons now and get my friends to play too.”

Ira Peskowitz, one of the tennis coaches coming up from Palm Beach first met Stockton three years ago after he started the ‘Kids and Police Tennis Association’ program in Florida. “We partnered up under his program, and it’s been a great opportunity,” said Peskowitz.

By Kelly Twedell from the Fort Bragg Patch on
via Love All: 175 Military Dependents Benefit from Free Tennis Clinic – Sports – Fort Bragg, NC Patch.

Blue Sky Foundation

T3 at Fort Bragg – July 2, 2013

Blue Sky Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce that its “T3” program (Thanking our Troops through Tennis) is coming to Forth Bragg. Individuals of all ages are palying ablities (beginner to advanced) are welcome to come out and learn all aspects of the game of tennis from certified teaching professionals and former tour players.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013Fort Bragg Tennis Club

Schedule of Events
9-10am clinic for children under 10
10-11am clinic for children over 10
11-12pm adult clinic
1-2pm adult clinic
2-3pm Pro Exhibition, autograph/photo session

Cost per person: $0.00

Bring a racquet if you have one. If not one will be provided for you. Space in all clinics is limited, everyone must sign up in advance.

To sign up click here.

The Fort Bragg Tennis Club is located on Normandy Drive, adjacent to the Ryder Golf Course.