HighFIVE: Craig Marshall
There are several components that have gone into making Craig Marshall, Co-owner/Director of Junior Tennis at the Parker Racquet Club, the man he is. And it’s his grassroots philosophy — that there should be no barriers to tennis — that came from his life of public service.
Fit and positive about life at 61, he was a career public school PE teacher for over 30 years, a tennis coach at Rangeview High School and Legend High School, and is a supporter of wheelchair tennis, as well as an advocate for Aceing Autism. He is also the father, with wife Lisa, to three daughters including Renee (20), Aimee (17) and Natalie (11.)
Craig’s passion into tennis started a bit later in life at Bethany College where he not only played but also met his coach and mentor, Bryce Young, who would ultimately help develop his service perspective.
Now as a visionary in helping to bring the public/private tennis facility to the southeast quadrant of the community, he said the road to the March 19th opening was a long haul but well worth the intense efforts.
“Right now it’s just trying to stay organized and manage the finances,” he said of facility. “But we really feel like we have a lot to offer in terms of programming. We have high expectations and are committed to keep evolving.”
Working in the public school system helped Craig develop a strong sense of responsibility that there should be no barriers to participation. Having worked in low income schools, where the highlight of a child’s day was “just coming to school”, he said he became passionate about helping kids learn self-sufficiency- a goal made more complicated in the more recent years when he’s seen more parent micromanagement.
“Back in the day, kids were just kids and went out and played everything.” Now he explains, they are forced in this hyper-competitive environment where occasionally overzealous parents lose perspective. It’s Craig’s mission that tennis be a fun way to build life skills, make friends, be healthy and have appreciation for the opportunities they have been given.
Having spent 30 years teaching PE in public schools with sometimes 600-700 kids where he knew every child by name, it was about making sure there was a fitness component and a learning component so introducing tennis was a great fit. In fact, he was working with foam balls way before the onset of QuickStart to bring that early success to his students.
One of the programs he’s most excited about is soon being able to offer at the facility is Aceing Autism, an international program designed to bring tennis to autistic children on all ranges of the spectrum an opportunity to be involved in tennis.
“We have kids running out of the cars with their parents to get to the courts,” he said of the impact of the program.
He’s also been involved with wheelchair sports camps further instilling his interest in taking down any barriers for anyone who wants to play.
Craig starts every day with the mantra, “I’m going to check my ego at the gate,” to make sure he’s helping to bring a wide range of tennis programs to the Parker Racquet Club. Making sure he’s meeting the needs of the most elite competitors as well as those experiencing their very first day on the tennis court.
“What I love the most is seeing the kids go from the ground level of just being able to just hold the racquet, then learn how to hit the ball, then become self-sufficient on the court.”
