Jubilant Teen Reports New Youth Tennis Court 'Up and Running'

BRIDGEHAMPTON — Hard work and dedication fuel dreams. That's a lesson that Jack Louchheim, 14, of Sagaponack, learned firsthand after he embarked upon a fundraising mission, the Bridgehampton Youth Tennis Project, to ensure other kids are able to share his love of tennis.

Jack, who just finished up eighth grade at Pierson Middle School, nurtured his vision, to create a successful summer program at the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center.

His goal was to teach tennis to children ages five through eight on a brand new youth tennis court that he personally set out to raise the funds to build.

And now, after raising funds for court construction, fencing, and equipment, that dream has become reality: Jack reported this week that the Bridgehampton Youth Tennis Project, which had a $50,000 fundraising goal, is officially up and running.

"As many of you know, construction of the Youth Tennis court at the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center was completed in early June, and the summer Youth Tennis program commenced on Monday, July 11," he wrote to supporters.

Since then, Jack said, BYTP coaches, including Chris Kotite, Alexander Nielsson, Rebecca Kuperschmid, Ally Friedman, Ravi MacGurn, Dylan Green, Taylor Thomas and Zoe Kava and he have spent two hours each morning teaching the Center's five to eight year olds — 30 kids per day, four days a week — the basics of playing tennis.

Reflecting on the launch, Jack wrote: "At the beginning, the BYTP coaches and I weren't sure what to expect. While I do admit that the first couple of days were chaotic as we were just getting to know the kids, I think that overall the program has been a huge success. The kids are eager to learn and to play tennis, and some even show impressive talent and potential."

During the first week, Jack said, challenges included how best to keep the kids interested, and how to accommodate their various skill levels. The coaches soon realized the importance of offering different games and activities to keep young students happy and entertained, as well as lots of prizes to increase incentive and motivation, he said.

"I also realized that the kids learn best by seeing visual examples, rather than hearing them explained verbally," Jack said. "Lastly, I found it most productive to break the groups up into smaller groups and split the number evenly among the coaches, for better organization and individualized attention."

During the second week, players showed great improvement, Jack reported.

The coaches and he decided to start a weekly prize incentive program based on points for the seven to eight year olds; the kids in each group either work individually and/or in teams to earn a certain number of points in a drill or game, he said.

Next, they add up their points at the end of the week, and on Thursdays, prize packages are given to the three kids with the highest totals in each group.

Also given out are awards for "Most Improved" and "Outstanding Achievement," to applaud efforts.

"I believe that the kids benefited greatly from this change, and we can see it in their games and development," he said.

Five to six year olds have been introduced to groundstrokes, volleys, and proper technique, while seven to eight year olds have been introduced to the same, and also have become consistent in rallying and playing points, "which is a big step considering that at the beginning most had no idea what a forehand or backhand was. Most importantly, I think that everybody is having fun and enjoying the new Youth Tennis program at the BHCCRC," he wrote.

With the next weeks unfolding, Jack said he expects to see improvement and development continue.

"This experience has been very worthwhile and rewarding for all involved, coaches included," Jack said.

Not only did Jack raise funds, he reached out to local clubs and organizations for donations of items such as youth tennis balls, racquets, nets and cones.

An early passion

On his fundraising site, Jack wrote that he is a "very passionate and competitive tennis player."

Tennis is a passion he hopes to share with other young people.

He started playing at the age of five, and plays almost every day, he said. Jack has trained at a number of local tennis clubs including East Hampton Indoor Tennis, the Bridgehampton Club and currently the Ross Tennis Academy, and competes regularly in USTA tournaments across the eastern section. As a seventh grader, he played second singles on the East Hampton High School Varsity tennis team and was undefeated.

"I love tennis for a variety of reasons. I strongly believe that the sport has done much more for me than simply build my fitness and ability. Playing tennis has increased my commitment, mental endurance, self confidence and ability to perform under different circumstances in all aspects of my life. I would not be the motivated student that I am today without it," he wrote.

That's why, Jack said, he believes in opening doors for other young athletes who may never have had the opportunity to see their horizons broadened by tennis.

"I think that this project is a great opportunity for me to help my community and do some good in a way that is also fun and enjoyable for myself, like playing tennis," he told Patch. "This endeavor has taught me many skills that I will use in the future, such as raising money, reaching out to people, and talking publicly to people and organizations. Working with friends has also made the experience a lot of fun."

He teamed up with his friend Rebecca Kuperschmid to reach out to local businesses and the East Hampton Rotary, he said.

And, he said, if the program is successful, he plans on continuing it in the summers ahead, and even growing it or building another court, if possible.

Summer Louchheim, Jack's mom, said her son's initiative makes both her and his dad Joseph very proud.

"This project is actually something that we have been discussing together as a family for a couple years now," she said. "My husband and I felt that both our boys were old enough to start developing a better understanding of and compassion for others who lack things that we often take for granted, including financial stability, intact family, and a roof over our heads."

While initially she toyed with the idea of taking her sons on a "volunteer vacation" abroad and even considered ideas such as monitoring sea turtles in Costa Rica or spending time at an orphanage in Peru, Louchheim realized that great need exists on the South Fork, too.

"I found myself feeling that the notion of traveling all the way to another country to volunteer for a week before returning home to our wonderful life here in Sagaponack just didn't add up. I wanted something more meaningful for them, something that would allow them to make a lasting impact and that they could nurture and grow over time. I also didn't think it made sense to travel half way around the world when we have such great need right here in our own community. "

Louchheim said she first visited the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center in 1999 when she worked at Group for the South Fork; the organization was offered grant money to plant a community vegetable garden.

"I had driven by the BHCCRC my whole life, but knew nothing about it. So when the grant opportunity arose, I toured the property and met with the staff. I noticed a very old and dilapidated tennis court that had been repurposed as a multipurpose court, but thought nothing more of it at the time," she said.

"Nearly 20 years later, when thinking about how Jack might get involved and do some good in our home community, I remembered that same tennis court. Given Jack's intense passion for tennis and his enjoyment of little kids, I figured there was potential there. Knowing the poor condition of the court, I realized that it would be a challenge and would likely involve either renovating that court or building a new one altogether."

At first, both Jack and her husband were "skeptical," Louchheim said. "It was a big undertaking, and we were anxious about Jack being able to find the time to make it happen. But eventually the idea stuck when we realized how fulfilling and worthwhile it would be."

The Louchheims met with Bonnie Michelle Cannon, BHCCRC's executive director, and she immediately embraced the idea and encouraged Jack to reach for his dreams.

"The beauty of this project is that it has allowed Jack to gain valuable experience in a wide variety of areas," his mom said. "These include learning to prepare for and conduct a meeting, meeting with, collecting bids from and hiring contractors, writing copy for the website and solicitation purposes, how to prepare and give a power point presentation to potential donors, local politics — requesting the Southampton Town Board waive the building permit fee, attending town board meetings, securing a permit from the building inspector — pursuing financial assistance and equipment donations from the USTA, asking local vendors for support, communicating and 'selling' the project to others, creating spreadsheets for his donor list, and learning how to coach youth tennis."

Louchheim said the outpouring of support from friends, family, community businesses and organizations has been overwhelming. The $50,000 will cover not only construction but will allow the program to continue in future years, she said.

"If this program is just an eight-week phenomenon, it will not have been a success. We want to make sure that it has the momentum to continue, and will grow stronger in the years ahead," she said.

East Hampton High School student Rebecca Kuperschmid, who has also been integral to the project, said the experience has been deeply meaningful.

"Tennis has been a major part of my life and I hope to share that passion with young local kids," she said.

Added Rebecca's mom Jackie Lowey, "I think it's a terrific experience for her and an opportunity to do something for our community."