The sounds of sneakers squeaking along the gym floor and children screaming with laughter as they run are still the same at the physical education class at Paul L. Dunbar School. But once a week, the gym class room is transformed into a tennis court, and third grade students receive a hands-on introduction to the sport thanks to Temple’s men’s tennis.

“Being able to give back to our North Philadelphia neighbors and share our love for tennis is a great experience,” said Jeff Brandes, Temple’s director of tennis. “It’s inspiring to see the excitement on the faces of these young students and how eager they are to learn.”

The sessions are designed to teach fundamental tennis skills.

“It’s always rewarding to see our young community members learn and grow,” said Maj Najvirt Kolaric, a junior accounting major and Temple varsity tennis player. 

Dunbar’s health and physical education teacher, Toni Ingram, said since the program started, the students can’t stop talking about tennis.

“It’s truly amazing. The kids see me in the hallway and they ask me, ‘We want to play tennis. When is Temple coming, when is Temple coming?’ They ask me every day and I tell them, ‘It’s on Tuesdays.’”

Men’s tennis started the weekly tennis clinic last month after Temple University Police Officer Leroy Wimberly came to Brandes with the idea.

“I’ve been teaching different programs inside Dunbar for the last 10 years,” Wimberly said. “Much of the programs focus on anti-gang prevention, but I wanted more for the students at Dunbar. And after Temple opened up its new tennis courts last year, I thought Dunbar students could benefit from our student-athletes, because they’re the real pros.”

Brandes said he looked at the class schedules of his team and found a time when most of the student-athletes were available.

“The players are the ones who are mostly teaching the clinic. Some of them have taught before and for some, this is their first time. So not only are Dunbar’s students learning about tennis, but our players are learning about leadership,” Brandes said. 

Ingram said other classes have expressed interest in learning about tennis, too, which surprised her.

“Tennis is a sport that not a lot of our students have played. Some students never even heard of it. And now, our third graders are so excited they’re playing it. They’re really enjoying it and so am I,” Ingram said. 

The school already had some equipment, like tennis rackets and the nets. However, other equipment pieces, like the tennis balls, are brought in by men’s tennis.

The young athletes are learning everything from proper grip to serving techniques. Beyond those skills, the team emphasized teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Brandes said as the young students improve, he’d like to take the class on a field trip to Temple’s tennis courts. 

“Even if they don’t become tennis players, that’s OK,” Brandes said. “As long as they enjoy it, that’s a win!”