The University of the Pacific Tigers tennis team broke barriers and built bonds through an exhibition game with San Quentin’s Inside Tennis Team.
“Prison life is a part of the American society that most people don’t know about, and if you think your students are highly educated, then they need to come here and understand this,” said Pacific Athletic Director Ted Lellan.
After an hour drive from Stockton, the Tigers started the day by partnering with the members of the San Quentin tennis team for doubles matches. The lively games found the guys bonding, being openly supportive and offering congratulations with each great play or return.
“Most visitors come here with nervousness and fear,” said SQ member Clay Long. “When they see something different, then they don’t want to leave. I think it’s important to share our stories.” He also said their coming in “helps me to be a better citizen.”
The Tigers were ranked 56 in the NCAA. They have recruited players from around the world, including India, Brazil and Ecuador.
Their star player, senior Sam Verbeek, is from the Netherlands. He plans to turn pro after graduation.
“It’s refreshing coming here. You can get caught up in your own bubble,” said Verbeek. In San Quentin, “You get exposed to a different part of life you don’t get on campus.”
Verbeek shared that he had the best four years of his career in Stockton and that it is a very real and sincere place that shaped him as a person and player. The college also has something else to smile about: it just hired former NBA star Damon Stoudamire as its head basketball coach.
“You are always representing something bigger than yourself. You represent the culture and the program,” Verbeek added.
Pacific Head Coach Ryan Redondo shared his experience and deep passion for the game by taking the men through a workshop.
They performed hitting and serving drills. Coach taught about net zones, where you have to visualize invisible lines above the net, each about a racket length high. The higher the balls are hit offensively gives the opposing player enough time to regroup defensively. The lower the balls are hit cuts down on your opponents’ reaction times.
“It’s about skills development, toughness and character,” said Redondo. “Some matches can take three or four hours, so you have to be in physical shape. That’s why we train with a lot of visualizations and meditation.”
The tennis players then played king of the court, where about five teams faced off. The first one to two points stay on the court, then the next team steps up. The team with the most wins becomes the king of the court.
The March 26 event ended with a spirited exhibition game between Pacific’s top four players, giving the small crowd a show of quality play.
“It was really nice of these college kids to come out and show us love,” said SQ tennis member Chris Schuhmacher.
All the members of the SQ team were moved to be reunited with volunteer Leslie Lava, who brought the Tigers in. Lava broke her ankle picking up one of her 70-pound show dogs. She came down the Lower Yard ramp with a smile and an ankle boot.
“I made it,” said Lava. “I couldn’t let the team down.”
By the look of joy on everyone’s face, she didn’t.
–Marcus Henderson
