Lee University will host its 22nd annual Kay McDaniel Summer Tennis Clinic June 3-7 at Lee’s DeVos Tennis Center. Registration will begin on April 1 for the remaining 50 openings.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from former world-ranked professional tennis player, Ms. McDaniel, the director, and her staff of instructors.
"My 35 wonderful instructors will serve with excellence, not only tennis but the love of God to every participant,” Ms. McDaniel said. “It’s such a joy to love on these kids while teaching them a game they can play for a lifetime. They have such fun that many don’t want the clinic to end.”
The clinic accepts 350 children but already has 300 participants enrolled. The ages for participants are 6-13, ranging in all skill levels.
Ms. McDaniel shares inspiring stories of how she overcame difficult obstacles in sports and in life. From age 11 she dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. Her first tennis racquet was a Green Stamp racket which Ms. McDaniel collected over 10,000 stamps to obtain.
Her mother sewed all of her tennis clothes until age 15 when top sponsors such as Fila, Adidas, TAIL and Nike sponsored her tennis career. She went on to realize her dream by competing at tennis Grand Slams for six years against legendary players such as Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and Steffi Graf. She rose to the top 35 in the world in singles and was ranked 20th in the world in doubles.
Ms. McDaniel, an assistant professor at Lee in the health and exercise science and secondary education department, hopes to inspire greatness in all her participants. Her tennis clinic receives rave reviews from parents and kids alike. Over 25 cities will be represented in Ms. McDaniel’s clinics this year.
“I love that while learning something about tennis, they learn something essential to them spiritually,” a participant’s parent said.
Other parents commented, “This event is always so organized and provides such a loving and positive environment. The instructors are eager to teach and the director is most inspiring. All four of my kids look forward to Ms. Kay’s event all year long.”
Prizes such as T-shirts, medals, tennis grips, sweatbands, tennis visors, water bottles and other items will be given out during the week. On the last day, an awards event takes place where special prizes are given.
The clinic is free, but space is limited.
For more information on the event or registration visit www.kaymcdanieltennisclinics.com.