Background

In 1993, Tennis Association for Memphis Youth (TAMY), a non-profit founded by Stephen Lang held its first community summer tennis campat Bellevue Tennis Center in South Memphis.TAMY became known for its commitment to bringing tennis to kids who would not ordinarily be exposed to the sport.

In 2001, as Director of Leftwich Tennis Center and TAMY, Lang envisioned a new concept for public tennis in Memphis. Under his proposal the City’s tennis centers would operate under one umbrella as a community non-profit, with an emphasis on youthdevelopment.

As Founder and Executive Director of Tennis Memphis, StephenLang knows first hand the life-changing positive impact thattennis can have on a young person. He began playing tennisat age 11, when his family moved to an apartment complex with tennis courts. Tennis playing neighbors noticed his love of thegame and helped him get involved in local tournaments.

Earning a scholarship to train at the Racquet Club of Memphis, Stephen was propelled to a top 10 National USTA ranking in the Boy’s 18s.

He played collegiate tennis at the University of Arkansas and University of Memphis and professionally on the USTA SatelliteTour. In 2006, he was the youngest person ever inducted into the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame.

He has spent his teaching and coaching career in public tennis in Memphis. Now, more than ever, Lang sees the incredible benefits of growing up in tennis and has dedicated his professional life to sharing it with the youth of our city

My loyal, dedicated service for 21 years as Executive Director and a Founder of Tennis Memphis extended from 2002-2023. It’s been a labor of love frought with challenges to go along with countless accomplishments and lives enriched for the better. Under my direction, advocacy, commitment and perseverance public tennis reach new heights increased diversity, culminating in a 30 million new Leftwich Tennis Center for our community, Universiyt of Memphis and the City of Memphis. Tennis Memphis served the public with integrity, compassion, inclusion and forward thinking. During my 21 years leading Tennis Memphis and earlier TAMY days it’s these good acts of purpose and services have not been always been met well and even maligned by government officials , City Council members, good ol boy systems and finally citizens with hidden agendas, all with self-serving interests and questionable ethics. Pushing back against these forces for the greater good by deliverying on our mission and beyond has been worth it.

Tennis Memphis Highlights

• Played a key role representing Tennis Memphis partnership with the City of Memphis and University of Memphis in the overall plans, business model, fundraising pitches to donors and meetings with architects in design for the NEW LEFTWWICH TENNIS CENTER

• Philanthropy, community and foundations support , raised over $2,ooo,ooo to support Tennis Memphis Youth Programs to offset program costs and low cost and free programming year round

• Exponential growth in diversity and opportunities for minority participation and scholarships

• Thousands of kids learning tennis fee or low cost afterschool and summer programs

• Excellent tennis court conditions across the City. 42 outdoors rebuilt post tension, imrovements to all indoor court facilities total of 50 courts + Leftwich’s 24 outdoor & 12 indoor grand total of 86 courts

• Quality & affordable after-school/summer programming and financial assistance

• On & off-court youth mentoring, Tennis and Tutoring N.E.T. Learning and competitive training aspiring students

• Proven system of youth development, continuity/consistency of delivery and coaching

  Increased USTA, USTA Foundation, NJTL, USTA Player Development presence

• Enhancement of the City of Memphis and Public Tennis Centers image and USTA National award recognition and funding

“More information Stephen and Tennis Memphis missioncan be found in Love of Game document .]

TAMY Highlights

Intergrated Leftwich Tennis Center and transformed the center into a hub of tennis activity and youth development

Over 50 Indoor contract times no longer available and replaced with court time for teaching lessons and running after school programs

$5,000 prize money at Bellevue and Leftwich

Morgan Keegann secured as title sponsor of summer camp for 15 years

Surge in minority participation and college tennis scholarships to HBCU’s and Universitie