International tennis star Andy Roddick spent time on campus Wednesday afternoon to officially announce the Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The program is dedicated especially to giving opportunities to learn the game of tennis and what it has to offer to underprivileged children.  Roddick cites tennis as one of the constant in his life and the importance he feels to help the children involved in the program find the same in their lives.

“If one kid develops a love for tennis and it keeps them on the straight and narrow.  It really teaches them responsibility,” Roddick said.  “I have had tennis in my life forever.  It is the one constant I’ve had besides my family.  I have always been able to just go out there and have fun.  Luckily for me I am able to do it for a living.  If we could get some other kids involved and have them have that same passion for it I’d be thrilled.”

Roddick took time to spend with the children participating in the program on the tennis courts for the opportunity to not only demonstrate his own tennis skills but also to hit around with the children. 

“I love the game of tennis so much and so when I see a person who is maybe trying out tennis for the first time out here and they make their first ball and they get a big smile on their face I was that kid on time and so it’s really a pleasure,” Roddick said.

The program began working with students from Cleto L. Rodriguez Elementary school, located across the street from campus and is dedicated to not only teaching children the rules and skills behind the game of tennis but also to educating them about the importance of health and fitness in their lives.

All the fifth grade students from the elementary school take part in the program for one semester as part of their physical education class.  Students from kindergarten through fifth grade are able to participate in the program’s after school activities.  There are about 60 students enrolled in the program who receive two hours of tennis instruction and one hour of the “Living Smart/Living Strong” program developed by campus Education faculty each week.

“I was that kid out here, in after school programs and everything.  I was given every opportunity to enjoy tennis and to play it.  If we can provide a couple of those as well it would be nice,” Roddick said.

The program also works members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio, Calderon Branch in the after school program.  Four students from St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School are enrolled in the FastTrack Youth Program.  This program offers private lessons helping the children advance to competition level play.

“You can tell, they’ve got a look in their eye.  It’s great to see their smiling the whole time,” Roddick said.  “That’s a great thing.  It really even motivates me to come out and see that innocence in tennis again.”

Dr. Lawrence Roddick, Andy’s older brother and local chiropractor, is credited with designing the program as well as gathering the program’s partners which include the Andy Roddick Foundation, the Rene Lacoste Foundation, The United States Tennis Association Tennis & Education Foundation, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Anthony Catholic Elementary, San Antonio Independent School District, Cleto L. Rodriguez Elementary, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio, Calderon Branch.

“My brother Lawrence he came up with the whole concept,” Roddick said.  “He’s lived in San Antonio for 15 years and he really wanted to try and affect this community in a positive way.  I’m just so proud of him and I really feel like he has done that.  I’m a very small part of this.  He is the one who put it together.”

Roddick praises OLLU for offering its facilities to the program and the crucial role the campus has played in beginning the program.

“It’s a win, win for everyone involved,” Roddick said.  “The university has been instrumental in helping by letting us use their facilities.  If we don’t have a place to play the program doesn’t happen.  I feel like it’s a win, win and I hope they’re proud of it too.  I know we all are so it’s exciting to work with them.”

Roddick is excited to see the program get off the ground and is optimistic about the future.