Passion For Tennis-A Life Changing Event

Passion fuels DaMarcus.



My name is DaMarcus L. Morton and I’d like share with you how a once small program changed my life. I grew up in Akron, Ohio in a housing development where the opportunity to get involved in gang activity, selling drugs or even using drugs was an easy avenue.

--

There are two reasons I did not become a product of my environment, a strong family back ground and the Say Yes To Tennis Inc. program. I began participating in this program at the young age of 11 years old. I continued as a participant in this program until I began working part time for SYTT as a Mentor and the Assistant Coach for Munchkin in 1996.

Dan Jones worked tirelessly looking for scholarship for us to attend college. With his help, Hiram College offered me and my best friend a partial scholarship to attend their school. My best friend attended, but I decided to attend the University of Akron. I graduated from the University of Akron in 2001 with a degree in Criminal Justice.

I picked the sport of tennis back up after a very long break and realized the love I still had for the game. I then began to ponder how I could incorporate my passion for working with at risk youth and still playing the game I love. There was only one answer, Say Yes To Tennis Inc.

I picked up the phone and shared my vision with Dan. We are now giving voice to possibly starting a Say Yes To Tennis West Inc. here in California. I believe this program is an incredible opportunity for young people to get exposed to the amazing game of tennis and to also build a strong sense of self.

Say Yes To Tennis Inc kept me off the streets and off of drugs. It is now my time to return the life changing gesture that was once given to me.



Return to Success Stories
Click on passion.html to return to homepage