The Tuscaloosa Tennis Association will host the second annual Emily Baker Women’s Classic tennis tournament Feb. 22-24, 2018, at Center Court Tuscaloosa, 715 21st Ave. E.

Organizers of the nonprofit Tuscaloosa Tennis Association say they are seeking to build on the momentum of last year’s tournament. Like last year, the proceeds of this year’s event will benefit the Emily Baker Scholarship and Youth Tennis Fund, which was established during the inaugural tournament in March 2017.

With the money raised in 2017, the Tuscaloosa Tennis Association partnered with the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority and the United States Tennis Association’s Net Generation program to pursue Baker’s goal to bring tennis into elementary schools. This fall, from the tournament proceeds, the association took the game into six area elementary schools and served 590 students.

Baker, a Tuscaloosa native, became Tuscaloosa’s first USTA league coordinator in 1996, a role she continued until a few years ago, taking the league from a handful of players to now more than 800. She’s been Alabama League Coordinator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Southern League Coordinator of the Year. She helped found the Tuscaloosa Tennis Association, nurtured local junior tennis and her continued support of University of Alabama tennis resulted in the plaza at UA’s facility being named in her honor.

On the court, she was the state’s No. 1-ranked junior, played in the girls’ nationals and was one of eight selected to represent the South at the Southern Junior Whiteman Cup. She was the dean of girls and coached tennis at University Liggett School in Michigan, returning to Tuscaloosa about 28 years ago. She won Alabama USTA women’s 55 singles championships in 1991, ’92, ’93 and 2000, and the 60s singles championship in 1998.

Organizers are seeking players and patrons for this year’s tournament. All patrons will be recognized at the welcoming players party, the closing awards ceremony and throughout the tournament. In addition, patrons will receive a Tuscaloosa Tennis Association’s membership and be listed on the association’s website. All patrons will be welcomed at the players party, held at Center Court Tuscaloosa at6 p.m. Feb. 22 for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a celebration of Emily Baker.

To become a 2018 Emily Baker Women’s Classic patron, you can give online at www.tuscaloosatennis.com/tournaments, or make checks payable to Tuscaloosa Tennis Association with Emily Baker Women’s Classic in the memo line, and mail to Tuscaloosa Tennis Association at PO Box 3192, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403.

 

Original article: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20180203/lend-hand-tournament-helps-bring-tennis-to-schools