Unifying for a Greater Cause

For as long as I can remember, I saw a group of challenged athletes entering Bethpage Park Tennis Center as I was leaving, wary from three hours of Sunday practice. Intrigued, I stayed one afternoon and was delighted to watch these Special Olympians play and laugh with able volunteers. They were all having so much fun … wait, tennis is fun? Hours of cross-courts are hard work for me, but these athletes recognized nothing but excitement with each hit. I needed to be a part of this!

Sunday after Sunday flew by and there was always a tournament or homework, usually both. So many problematic sets and so little time. I regretted leaving for college without having really experienced this program for the Special Olympians.

Last summer while meeting up with my coach, Steve Kaplan's former student Ali McDonough, I learned about the Unified Games. Ali is a role model and mentor to me, so when she talks, I listen. She told me about a program that Steve once conducted in which she and other tournament girls at Bethpage Park Tennis Center trained together with challenged athletes for a few months to prepare for a Unified Tournament. Ali loved this program and she motivated me to take action.

While on winter break from Brown University in December, I asked Steve if he would help me run another Unified Program in the spring. He agreed, as long as I did most of the organization. I contacted seven girls from Bethpage Park Tennis Center and was happily surprised that every one of them enthusiastically signed on … Lauren Bishop, Jackie Bukzin, Kaitlin Byrnes, Aimee Manfredo, Gabby and Julia Raziel, and Vanessa Scott, you are all stars!

The icing on the cake, thanks to David Sickmen of New York Tennis Magazine and Long Island Tennis Magazine, Whitney Kraft of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and Mike Silverman of City Parks Foundation, was that the Unified Games tournament would be held as part of the Second Annual New York Tennis Expo. Tim Flynn of the Special Olympics of New York sent an e-mail that said, "Show the world what you CAN do."

We did show the world! It was a wonderful event held on a perfect June day. I was so proud of each and every competitor. Ken Walker, who has run the program for the last 15 years at Bethpage Park Tennis Center, beamed with pride as he watched his daughter, Sabrina, put a volley away as Diane Colonna, regional director of The Special Olympics, cheered.

As I ran into the indoor building at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to use the restrooms after the matches, I spotted one of the adult Olympians slowly walking with his father. They were both exhausted from the excitement. He turned with anticipation and asked, "So, how did I do dad?"

"You did great,” said the father. “I loved your forehand."

He beamed and reached out for his dad, as they walked away together holding hands, while I ran for the restroom crying with tears of joy.

Credit all photos to Sharon Raziel