by John Wilkerson & Tom LaDue

John Wilkerson has not only been a strong supporter of the Zina Garrison Academy but was one of two founding members.

He is most well known for his role as coach of Zina Garrison and Lori McNeil, both top 10 players in the WTA circuit. However, John Wilkerson has a tennis record of his own. He won the Texas State Championship his first year holding a racquet. He joined the Texas Southern University team, becoming an S.W.A.C. singles and doubles champion as well as A.T.A. National Campion in the College and Open divisions. Later in his career John was also winner of the A.T.A. Senior Singles and Doubles Championship, most recently in 2005-2006.

John is currently coaching his 3rd generation of children in Houston’s public parks. Not only is he involved in developing a child’s tennis game, John mentors and guides children in personal development using tennis as his medium. He has touched thousands of lives in the city of Houston.

What Tennis Means To Me.

By John Wilkerson and Tom LaDue

Tennis is the reason I am here today. There is no telling where I would be without tennis. I did not pick up tennis until I was 16 and I’ve never had a coach which has inspired me to coach.

The reason I am saying that is that I qualified for the US Open without a coach but I can only imagine what I could have been if I had a coach to inspire me and to teach me the proper techniques. I could have been much better than I am today.

So I want to give these kids a chance that I never had! That’s what tennis means to me.