Sagaponack Teen Raises More Than $40K for New Youth Tennis Court

Southampton, NY - One Sagaponack teen is taking it into his own hands to ensure other kids are able to share his love of tennis.

Jack Louchheim, 14, who lives in Sagaponack and is in eighth grade at Pierson Middle School, has a dream: To create a successful summer program at the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center, where he plans to teach tennis to children ages five through eight, on a brand new youth tennis court that he's personally raising the funds to build.

Jack is raising funds for court construction, fencing, and equipment, and plans to reach out to local clubs and organizations for donations of items such as youth tennis balls, racquets, nets and cones.

To that end, he's embarked on a fundraising project, the Bridgehampton Youth Tennis Project, which has raised more than $40,000 of its $50,000 goal.

On the site, Jack writes that he is a "very passionate and competitive tennis player."

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

In addition, Jack said, "I have a number of 'tennis' friends who have committed themselves to helping me teach this summer."

He and friends will be taking an Oncourt Youth Tennis Seminar in June in order to obtain certification for teaching the younger kids.

"If the program is successful, I definitely plan on continuing it in the summers ahead, and even growing it or building another court if possible," he said.

To date, Jack has raised $40,900. "My ultimate goal is to raise $50,000, and I am currently working on acquiring that last $9,000. I am reaching out to private individuals and local organizations," he said.

Jack said he's also in the process of securing a grant from the United States Tennis Association for equipment and other supplies.

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."

Just last week, Jack's mom drove him to Procorm, the contractor whom he hired to build the court, to deliver the $9,000 deposit check and signed contract, she said.

"Driving all the way to Westhampton was worth it, because it allowed him to look them in the eye while shaking their hand. It would have been easier to just stick the check in the mail, but it meant so much more to deliver it personally," Louchheim said.

As a mom, Louchheim said the most difficult challenge has been handing over the reins. "I'm a hyper organized person, and it's difficult for me to trust that something will get done by someone else. But I am really trying to not do the work for him, because I want him to learn how to do it himself. Only by doing it himself will he be able to enjoy a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction at the end of the day."

All are excited to see construction commence next month, Louchheim said. "It will also be wonderful to see Jack on court with all the little kids; hopefully his passion for the sport will rub off on a couple of them."

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 ninth grader 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."

In addition, Lowey said the tennis program will benefit many children who many not otherwise have had the chance to learn the sport. "Being involved in youth athletics is really important for kids on the East End and provides lots of growth opportunities physically, academically and socially," she said.

Patch courtesy photos by the Louchheim family: 1: Jack Louchheim. 2. All the kids involved in the Bridgehampton Youth Tennis Project. From left to right: Ravi Mcguirn, Taylor Thomas, Jack Louchheim, Ally Friedman, and Rebecca Kuperschmid.

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