Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland presented Kay McDaniel with a certificate of commendation Thursday on the 25th anniversary of her summer tennis clinic for children.
The presentation was made at Lee University's tennis courts.
Ms. McDaniel and Mr. Rowland were surrounded by this year's tennis clinic students. The kids cheered when the mayor presented the certificate.
The certificate reads:
"Whereas Kay is a former world ranked professional player and camp director; she competed at tennis' Grand Slams for six years against legendary players including Billie Jean King, Martine Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf, and rose to the top 35 in the world in singles and a # 20 world ranking in doubles; and
"Whereas this year the clinic expects over 400 participants from across the country; and
"Whereas Kay McDaniel, an assistant professor at Lee University in the Department of Health and Exercise Science and Secondary Education, hopes to inspire all kids to dream big and dare to believe they can reach them despite the obstacles;
"Whereas, not only do the kids, ages 6-13 learn to play a sport that can last a lifetime, but they learn that God's love lasts even longer than a lifetime. These kids have so much fun they never want the clinic to end.
"Now therefore I, Tom Rowland, mayor of the city of Cleveland do hereby present this Certificate of Commendation to Kay McDaniel and congratulate her on a successful 25 years reaching your goal of teaching tennis, and the love of God to every child."