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Wimbledon champion helps dedicate
BV's Van Meter Tennis Center
BV's Van Meter Tennis Center
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By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the April 19, 2006 issue)
One might not expect a legendary Wimbledon and US Open champion to show up for the dedication ceremony of a five-court tennis complex in rural Buena Vista, but that’s just what happened last Monday, April 17, as Stan Smith was the keynote speaker at the ceremony to dedicate and rename the Marion County Tennis Complex as the “Van Meter Tennis Center” in honor of the late Harold Clayton (Van) Van Meter.
Some attendees were admittedly “star struck,” but at the same
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Smith’s tennis honors include: All-American collegiate tennis player, Wimbleton champion, U.S. Open champion (singles and doubles), No. 1 ranked worldwide twice, No. 1 ranked in U.S. four times, ranked in top 10 players in the United States 11 times, and member of the Tennis Hall of Fame (Class of 1987).
It was noted that Van Meter also experienced much success on the tennis court. He was a member of the Senior 3.5 USTA National Championship team in 1992 and coached a Buena Vista-based team to the Mens’ 3.0 USTA National Championship in 1997. He was also a member of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and was a certified tennis professional, receiving the Jim Verdick International Coach of the Year Award in 1998.
Smith also noted that he and Van Meter each shared another tennis-related characteristic, as they both helped promote the game. Smith has taught many players and served as director of coaching for the USTA Player Development Program from 1988 to 1995 and was head coach of the men’s U.S. Olympic team in 2000.
“We shared a love for tennis,” said Smith. “It’s amazing. If it weren’t for Van, you probably wouldn’t have this tennis center here and you wouldn’t have people playing tennis so much. It’s great to see the interest in the game from every age. From what I’ve heard, he worked with younger kids and older people.”
Smith looked back at the modest beginnings of his legendary career. When he was 15 a group of parents formed a tennis clinic and they played on Saturdays (on pink courts with wire nets.)
“I hit a couple of serves that would hit the net and go over the back fence,” he said.
He emerged as one of the better players and the adults began a “each one teach one” session at the end of the days at the clinic, which was when he first started learning how to teach others to play the game.
He said the teaching/coaching aspect was another thing he and Van Meter had in common.
“It looks to me like Van did a great job in teaching and being able to explain the game and to make adjustments – even while playing with a doubles partner,” Smith said, gesturing to one of Van Meter’s former partners and eliciting some chuckles.”
In addition to remarks about the late Van Meter, Smith treated the crowd to an entertaining commentary of his own career, from highlights to humorous stories.
He recalled having a big lead during his first trip to the finals of Wimbledon and rehearsing his victory speech and figuring out what song he’d like to dance to with the ladies’ champion at the banquet during the match -- which he eventually lost.
Of course, he notched many more victories than losses, and he noted that being mentally prepared and having the proper attitude can be as important as skill. He mentioned that Van Meter used to teach his tennis students the Latin word “Reverisco,” which means “flourish in adversity.”
He also recalled competing in the longest doubles match in Davis Cup history – six hours, which helped lead to the use of the modern tie-break scoring system.
Several other people spoke at the dedication ceremony, including Larry Bussey, who looked out at the courts and noted that many people say “practice makes perfect,” before adding, “no, as Van would tell you, perfect practice makes perfect.” He also said, “Van would be the first to say that he didn’t deserve this, but he does deserve it.” He ventured a guess that Van was probably now teaching Saint Peter the game of tennis.
Another of Van Meter’s friends and tennis associates, Rob Reichel, spoke briefly and called him “one of the greatest men I ever knew.”
Dr. Jimmy Hagler, captain of the 3.0 national title team Van Meter coached, recalled the sometimes “crazy” drills “Van” put them through, as well and the motivation and inspiration he gave the team in the year leading up to their championship.
Marion County Commission Chairman George Neal Jr., Commissioner Frank Powell, Buena Vista Area Tennis Association President Gary Wells and Stan Smith all joined “Van’s” wife Julia and other members of the Van Meter family in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the center and end the ceremony.
