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USTA 2009 Eve Kraft Award - Hank Merges

424 views · Published 13 July 2009 · 2:22 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: United States Tennis Association (USTA) · 2009 · Nonprofits & Activism

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The USTA would like to honor and congratulate Hank Merges of York, Pennsylvania, for being one of the 2009 Eve Kraft Award Winners at the 2009 Community Tennis Development Workshop Awards in South Carolina in February 2009.

The USTA bestows the Eve Kraft Community Service Award upon individuals who perpetuate their selfless mission to bring the game of tennis to anyone who wants to play. Eve F. Kraft was a tennis pioneer whose ability to touch peoples lives exceeded the boundaries of the tennis court. As teacher, coach, author, USTA staff member and volunteer, Kraft was a lifelong champion of recreational tennis in the United States until her death in 1999. She introduced thousands of young people to the game of tennis, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

As Merges explains, "Tennis is our tool, but our work is really all about children." Upon retiring as editor of The York Dispatch in 1989 after 42 years, Merges appreciated the value of this lifetime sport. He decided to spend much of his retirement ensuring that boys and girls have the opportunity to play tennis, never realizing that his pet project, Tennis For Kids, would grow in leaps and bounds and turn into a year-round job. Merges leadership and enthusiasm inspired a dedicated group of 25 board members to assist him. His outstanding contributions have been instrumental to the growth of tennis in York and Adams Counties in Pennsylvania.

Since the inception of Tennis for Kids (TFK), it is estimated that some 10,000 boys and girls between the ages of 8-16 have learned to play tennis through this free summer program. TFK provides tennis lessons to all children without regard to socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability or language. No child has ever been turned away. In 2008, TFK attracted 1,422 children (from some 50 communities) to its 20 locations. By offering this free program and free racquets to children for needy families, TFK encourages youngsters to continue playing and enjoy tennis throughout their lives.

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