November/December 2004
Founded: 1972                                                                                                    Founder: Bill Briggs

Message from the Director

It is game, set, match in favor of George W. Bush, the newly re-elected President of the United States.  In an epic confrontation between two diametrically opposed viewpoints, it seems that the loss of jobs from the economy, and the loss of lives in Iraq did not weigh as heavily across the western mid-America, and Southern belts of this massive country. 

                Bush won despite poor performances in all the debates, a poor civil rights record, questionable educational and health care platforms and an unpopular (popular?) War in Iraq.

                And what of John Kerry who doesn’t get the chance to win the peace and balance the budget.  Though he exhibited courage, passion and a well thought out game plan, he somehow fell short.  Will he rebound, come back four years later and be a champion of the downtrodden.  Only time will tell for New Yorkers who went overwhelmingly for Kerry, a bitter pill was swallowed but a master’s degree of lessons were learned that will bode well in future elections. 

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Tennis Tip

The Toss: Make the ball and racquet work together as a team.  Experiment with different types of tosses but find a location that enables you to hit it consistently.  Hold the ball lightly in your fingers, move slightly down then upward.  Extend your arm completely.  Release the ball as if you were releasing pigeons with full extended fingers.  The height may vary from player to player.  Different players perform at an optimum with a toss is best-suited for them.

                Develop a rhythm to suit the height of the toss to establish a consistent rhythm of toss/hit.  It eventually will become automatic.

School for Academic and Social Development - Topics

(Schedule To Be Announced)

1. Foster Care            15. Scared Straight

2. Black Cowboys    16. Social Work

3. Law                      17. Mental Health

4. Drug Abuse          18. Natural Healing

5. Entrepreneur        19. CPR-Choking

6. Teen Behavior     20. Anger Mgmt

7. Music                  21.  Computers

8. Black History      22. Orthodontics

9. Oral Hygiene       23. Physical Fitness

10. Nursing

11. Going to College

12. Lead Poison Prevention

13. Community Health Living

14. Actuarial Science

13. Nursing             

14. Going to College 

15. Lead Poison Prevention  

16. Community Health Living   

17. Photography

18. Actuarial Science

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Congratulations to Election Winners

Congressman Gregory Meeks

Assemblywoman Vivian Cook

Assemblywoman Michelle Titus

Assemblywoman Barbara Clark

Assemblyman Bill Scarborough

State Senator Ada Smith

State Senator Malcolm Smith

Design for Progression

                Beginner players are assigned to the Roy Wilkins site for tennis lessons.  The staff observes each student to determine possible advancement to the next level.

                Those selected become the A team and will now play at Cunningham Tennis Courts and additional time. 

- A players should have stroking mechanics achieved.  The staff observes the players and advances the more determined player to the B team. 

- B players should be able to rally medium paced balls from mid-court across the net.

                Upon further recommendation, the more determined B players get promoted to the C3 team.               Group C3 - At this level, the child should be able to perform a proper full court forehand backhand and service strokes with some understanding of grips techniques and footwork. 

                Group C2 - Promotion to this level requires satisfaction of the C3 group prerequisites hitting strokes from baseline to baseline with depth and direction.

                Group C1 - Promotion to this level requires satisfaction of C2 group prerequisites.  Strokes performed with direction, depth, spin, intention and anticipation.

                D2 - Promotion to this level requires satisfaction of C1 group.  Match play will be extensive.  USTA Competition and Youth and Tennis ratings are used to evaluate child’s performance for promotion. 

                Group D1 - Promotion to this level requires child to be highly competitive in Youth & Tennis and USTA Competition.