Oaklands Atkins family has been named United States Tennis Association of Northern California volunteer family of 2009. The Atkins were honored at the USTA NorCal's Awards Celebrating Excellence in Service at the San Francisco Palace Hotel Ralston Ballroom on January 30, 2010. NorCal ACES are awarded to local players, participants, and volunteers who serve the sport. Oakland natives, Larry and Jackie Atkins, are accomplished community activists and proud parents of Laurence and Joshua, two rising junior tennis players and middle school students who are known around Oakland and Bay Area courts as "the brothers". Father, coach and accountant, Larry Atkins played tennis at California State Hayward, where he earned a degree in business administration. A former Piedmont High varsity tennis coach, Larry also directed Oakland Park and Recreation tennis programs where he formed youth and adult leagues at historic Davies Tennis Stadium. Larry currently is Director of Outreach for the Jack London Aquatic Center and spends his spare time with the One Is Not Enough Campaign which seeks to improve the lives of inner city youth through dedication to education and athletics. Larry is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi which counts his hero Arthur Ashe among its members. Mother and mentor, Jackie Atkins, makes a difference through her community work at church and Alameda County's economic benefits department. Jackie is also actively involved in the Parent Teacher Organization of Montera Middle School where the brothers attend school. In addition to her parental responsibilities, Jackie also assists the One is Not Enough Campaign as well as volunteers with the United Negro College Fund, Just Cause Tennis and USTA NorCal. A true "tennis mom, Jackie is currently working on returning to college to complete her degree in business administration. Older brother Laurence Atkins, 13, is currently an eighth grader and student body treasurer at Montera. Laurence started tennis at age three, and now plays in the Boys 14 division. He is also a representative on the USTA Diversity traveling team. Some of his notable tournaments include winning the Deer Valley Challenger, and reaching the finals in the Lafayette Open and Reno Open. Laurence teamed with Garrick Dzoan of Fremont to win the 2008 ATA National Doubles Championships in Miami, and was recognized as Stanford Nike Camp Player of the Week in 2009. In addition to excelling in school and tennis, Laurence has received the City of Oakland Mayoral Accomplishment Award and is nominated for Civic Pride and African American Sports Hall of Fame awards. Younger brother Joshua Atkins, 11, was the highest ranked African American in the Boys 10 and under division for Nor Cal. Joshua, who also started tennis at three, is the only African American in the top 25 of the Boys 10 in Alameda County for many years. Joshua has won several tournaments in the Boys 12 and played in the semifinals of the Reno Open. Following in his oldest brothers footsteps, he has also received the City of Oakland Mayoral Accomplishment Award and won the sixth grade Leadership Award for conflict management at Montera where he is in the sixth grade. The brothers strong work ethic and dedication to community service and collegiate goals were recognized last summer when they received junior scholarships to the Berkeley Tennis Club. The brothers were keynote youth speakers at the Bank of the West Tennis Classic Kids Town Hall Meeting at Stanford where they sat on a panel with Jim Otto, Bryant Young, Don Johnson, Peanut Louie, Tim Harper and Laura Granville. The brothers also have had the pleasure to meet Wimbledon doubles champions, the Bryan Brothers, as well as Richard Williams (father of Serena and Venus Williams) and commentator/coach Brad Gilbert. As a family, the Atkins have sponsored several free tennis clinics. One of their most memorable was a Health and Tennis Awareness clinic held at McClymonds High last spring. In addition to their community work, the Atkins are active members of Oakland's First African Methodist Episcopal Church where the Rev. Harold R. Mayberry, Sr. is pastor.
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A Family of ACES - Part Oneby JamieJobb180 views
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