Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel tennis team and head coach Toby Simpson hosted Win 4 Life on Saturday, March 20 at 9 a.m. This is the sixth consecutive year that the Bulldogs have hosted this event at the Earle Tennis Center.
Win 4 Life, founded in 1998 by former 17th world ranked WTA TOUR tennis professional Leslie Allen, came to Charleston in 2002 shortly after the Family Circle moved to Daniel Island, and is currently in its seventh year.
"I knew Charleston had a diverse population and when the Family Circle Cup moved to Charleston, I wanted to make sure all populations were exposed to the program," said Allen, who lives in New York and travels to Charleston for the program activities.
Win 4 Life kicks off in January and hosts a number of events leading up to April's Family Circle Cup. Students of all ages from throughout the Lowcountry participate in the annual program and are invited to return the following year. Over 250 kids have participated in the program over the past six years.
Saturday's event will consist of several activities, including a tour of the campus and time on the court with the Bulldog players. "It's great. We enjoy participating and it's fun to get to work with all the kids in the program," said Simpson.
According to Allen, there are four components young people need to succeed at anything they want to do in life. The components she calls the 4 Ds: desire, discipline, determination, and dedication. The objectives of the program are to empower and develop young people's life skills through writing and speaking assignments, provide exposure to the business world of pro tennis, develop an understanding of social etiquette and protocol, raise the level of expectation for academic achievement, promote a healthy lifestyle and expand young people's horizon by exposure to a variety of cultural activities and opportunities.
"I enjoy playing tennis the most," said 14-year old Wendrah McCoy, a student at the School of the Arts in Charleston. "We get exposure to things that others don't get. We learn to be more independent and watch out for the newcomers each year."
Kim Allen, parent of 15-year old Kendrae Hiers of Colleton County High School in Walterboro, said the program is wonderful.
"It gives them more than just tennis. It gives them opportunities for the future. It teaches them about nutrition, education and discipline. It's character development," she added. "It's like I have a third wheel, another boost, in a positive way."
The program will wrap-up for the 2009-10 year at the Family Circle Cup held April 10-18 on Daniel Island. For more information on the Win 4 Life program or the Leslie Allen Foundation, go to www.LeslieAllen.net. For more information on Bulldog Tennis or The Citadel Athletics, go to www.Citadelsports.com.
