Two years ago this fall, I met with the director of an after-school program for elementary students in Muskegon, Mich. We were both interested in introducing minority children to tennis. We decided that my staff and I would provide instruction two days a week for three six-week sessions in the school gymnasium.

The program director agreed to provide a supervisor, graduated tennis kits and other teaching tools, a room to store the equipment, a computerized list of students, T-shirts, caps and diplomas.

When the word got out about the program’s success, the director contacted me about doing a similar program at another elementary school. Working with the principal, 38 students between kindergarten and second grade were recruited.

The kids were divided into four classes so the student-to-teacher ratio was 4:1. Each session had a specific goal for the students to obtain, with lesson plans including many hand-eye coordination drills and games, the forehand, backhand, volley and serve.

We used the shirts and caps for graduation presents, and students were required to attend at least five out of six classes to receive their diploma. We tried to make graduation special for the students by providing refreshments such as a cake and drinks.

In the first elementary school, 12 of 16 kids received diplomas; at the second, 16 of 16 did. Since then, I have received requests to expand this program to other elementary schools in the inner-city areas. The principals of these schools want to get in on the action.

In addition to the financial gains we received, my staff and I enjoyed exposing minority students to the game of tennis more than the private lessons we do at our own club. Tennis is a game for life. Play tennis, America!