If you are looking for the epitome of good health and sportsmanship, read on. My Mother is my inspiration for FIRST BALL IN!
As you read futher below, please be aware that much of this content was taken from a 2014 article written by DEL MOON. Thank you Del for capturing my Mother and her feats. I appreciate you. Back to Mom.
My mother has over 40+ years of tennis under my belt. She is the organizer and coordinator for the USTA Middle States for 20+ years; responsible for organizing in the state of New Jersey Men’s. Women’s, and Mixed Leagues (all ages and ratings) from 3.0-5.0; with about 400-450 people under my supervision. During that time, she also captained women’s teams twice taking a team to Nationals and winning it once. Also participating in World Team Tennis, her teams made it to California for the finals. Additionally, for 25-years she has been the Coordinator for Tennis, New Jersey, Senior Olympics.
The remarkable aspect of my Mom’s story is not about her prowess on the court, although she has been a respected and fierce opponent and has enjoyed regional success over nearly three decades. In 2006 she captained her ‘Always Aces super senior team’ to a national title in United States Tennis Association competition, and has consistently racked up medals in New Jersey Senior Olympics. In 2013, in Cleveland, on her ninth try, my Mom captured her first National Senior Games Gold Medals in both singles and doubles competition.
From the beginning tennis was a social connection for Irma and she desired to see more people to enjoy the game and its fitness benefits. It began with efforts to establish a local high school team, followed by organizing a “Jackson Day” tournament for adults in her community. She quickly became a valued USTA coordinator in the region and is credited with introducing senior and super senior tennis leagues into the shore area of New Jersey. The leagues have flourished to this day. She has also served as the tennis coordinator for the annual New Jersey Senior Olympics for more than a decade.
Irma DeMarzo has clearly inspired and influenced hundreds of people in New Jersey to get into the game and to continue competing as they age. She derives satisfaction from knowing she is helping others stay healthy. It is her own life example and dedication to show others the way to fun, fellowship and fitness that defines her Personal Best attitude.
When my family moved to New Jersey about 50 years ago this town of Jackson was only 23,000 or so people. They were just starting to have more sports in the schools. I had already been introduced to tennis and I wanted to see tennis teams in the high school to compete against other schools. If you lived in the major areas all those high school sports existed, but in the small towns they didn’t. I was instrumental in getting tennis teams started in the Jackson school system. I actually did it for one of my sons, and he took up golf instead. (Laughs) There was also an annual “Jackson Day” here with all kinds of activities and I started a Jackson Day tennis tournament and ran it for about ten years.
But the best part for me to see, and emulate is how many people love, respect and admire my Mother’s competitive spirit. She is the first one to the courts and usually plays for 2-3 hours daily (regardless of the New Jersey fall season –winter hat and all).
I am very lucky to have such an amazing mother. Hello SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.. are you reading?