Arthur Ashe Legendary Tennis Pro Family Attends School Dedication

Summary

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According to [Johnnie Ashe], [Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr.]'s brother, this is a credo he lived by. "Our father insured when we left home we had a skill and that we carried ourselves with dignity, poise and grace. This was a hallmark of Arthur's life and his dealings with people and the world," Ashe said.

Johnnie was five years younger than Arthur but still played doubles with him and also entered national tournaments. "Our father helped Arthur begin the Virginia Hero's Program and the National Junior Tennis League, (NJTL), in 1969. It was the first junior development program sponsored by the US Tennis Association," he added. The NJTL has chapters throughout the country and provide tennis lessons free of charge to inner city youth.

He said he and Arthur were products of the oldest Black sports organization, The American Tennis Association, (ATA). It was founded in 1916. Due to racial segregation, Blacks could not play in the competitive leagues populated by whites. The ATA afforded African Americans the opportunity to participate in competitive organized tennis. "These were Black professionals, doctors, lawyers and teachers. They had tournaments all over. We played in the circuit during the summer," said Ashe.

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Arthur Ashe Legendary Tennis Pro Family Attends School Dedication

With the first year under their belts the students and staff of the newly built Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. Middle school dedicated their building. In honor of the dedication, Arthur Ashe'...

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