Spotlights
Ordinary people can do extraordinary things! See how our Athletes, Buddies, and Coaches are making a difference in their communities, both on and off the court.
SPOTLIGHTS
Join us to experience the impact of our program firsthand.
Big Lots, BIG Impact
From mock interviews to conversations about the different roles of associates in their stores, the Big Lots team made a BIG impact on our students. Practice makes...
Two College Students Unite Three Communities to Build Buddy Up Tennis St. Louis
Two determined college students and a desire to unite the tennis, Down syndrome, and Washington University communities. This is the best way to describe Jonathan Song and...
Partner Spotlight: Healthy New Albany
Buddy Up for Life is honored to partner with Healthy New Albany to bring our Cooking For Life classes. From the state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, to our amazing...
Coach Spotlight: From the Court to Friendship
In a journey from Buddy Up Tennis Coach to Buddy Up Connection, two of our amazing Coaches took on a different role in our organization in the...
Their Dedication Makes It Happen: Spotlight on Buddy Up for Life Virtual Instructors
To capture and keep the attention of a large Zoom group via unique engagement strategies is no easy task, but our extraordinary Buddy Up Virtual instructors have...
Beth Gibson Named Buckeye Lifestyle’s “Woman of Initiative”
"Our organization is focused on providing a wholistic experience that equips our Athletes with all of the tools needed to reach their fullest potential." ~Beth Gibson, Buddy...
Collegiate Service Opportunity Delivers Positive Impact to Athletes and Buddies
College tennis teams have been amazing on-court partners in many of our Buddy Up Tennis communities, but in the fall of 2020, an added element manifested: off-the-court...
Fall Partnerships Create Key Opportunities
As an organization dedicated to learning and providing ongoing health and wellness opportunities for our Athletes, Buddy Up Tennis is grateful for the support and partnership of...
Dallas Buddy Coach Goes Above & Beyond
Sheila Broadus had a traditional start to volunteering with Buddy Up Tennis, her daughter and her were looking for service hours that they could fulfill for USTA...
Summer Buddy Spotlights
At Buddy Up Tennis, we are fortunate to work with many passionate young people every day. We meet them on the courts through Buddy Up Tennis, but...
Coaches Doug and Kyle Bring Signature Enthusiasm to At-Home Clinics
Technology has connected all 25 Buddy Up Tennis locations in ways that we never imagined possible. We have transformed our 90-minute tennis and fitness clinics to an...
Buddy Taylor Ruby Gives 110%
For years, Columbus Athletes have been welcomed to the courts by Taylor Ruby and her infectious smile and energy. From high school Buddy to college Buddy to...
Will and Sarah Inspire Via Buddy Up Tennis Virtual Programming
Athletes Will Gibson and Sarah Davis love two things: being in front of a camera and Buddy Up Tennis. As family members of Buddy Up Tennis leadership,...
#1 Adaptive Tennis Program, #1 Volunteer Leader: Rob Griffiths
Volunteer Board Member and Coach, Rob Griffiths was honored as a Columbus Foundation's National Number One for 2019! Rob is the Associate Vice President of Distant Education at the...
Giving Tuesday: Opportunities for our Athletes
The invaluable experiences that Buddy Up Tennis provides for our Athletes are made possible by the funds raised by members of our community, including parent volunteers, high...
Giving Talent: Leadership on and off the Courts
Buddy Up Tennis is more than just tennis: It is a significant movement, propelled by volunteers, leading the way both on and off the courts in 24...
Giving Time: Dedication to our Athletes from the Beginning
With over 800 Buddies nationwide, there are countless volunteers who have been instrumental in the success of the Buddy Up Tennis movement since its inception in each...
Buddy Up Tennis Athletes: High School Senior Spotlights
Senior year of high school has brought two Buddy Up Tennis Columbus Athletes to center court and center field! Maria Magnacca celebrated her final match as a...
Beth Gibson: Everyday Heroes
Candace Kane, Community Relations Director for Buddy Up Tennis, nominated Gibson for Everyday Heroes because of her dedication and how she goes out of her way to help so...
Buddy Up Summer Camp Coaches 2019
Kathleen McGuff and John Purnode both began their Buddy Up Tennis journeys as Buddies in middle school in Columbus, OH. Over the years, the two grew into...
Stars: On the Courts and On Stage
The Improveneers made their big stage debut on July 26th in Akron! The Improvaneers is the first-ever all Down syndrome improv group, and four out of the...
From Buddy to Junior Coach….
Buddies play an integral role in our weekly Buddy Up Tennis clinics. Many of the Buddies across our locations “grow up,” with Buddy Up Tennis as they...
Coach Amanda Designs a Summer Camp Curriculum to Expand to New Locations
During the year, you can find Coach Amanda Hughes teaching our youngest Buddy Up Tennis Athletes on the Future Stars Court in Columbus or traveling to a...
New Friends and Match Play for our Sarasota Athletes
High school junior, Nick Schwab volunteered for two weeks at Buddy Up Summer Camp 2018 in Sarasota and had so much fun with our Athletes that he...
Murfreesboro Coordinator Gives and Receives Via Buddy Up Tennis
On World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), Murfreesboro Coordinator Lori found a way to combine her passion for Buddy Up Tennis and her professional career as a Physical...
Welcome to the Courts, Ryan!
Dallas Athlete Ryan Walsh (13) may be new to the courts, but he is not new to the sports arena! Ryan enjoys many sports. “I play football...
Young Buddy, Huge Heart
Delaney made 25 personalized Easter Baskets and donated a portion of her sales to the Buddy Up Tennis 3.21 Fundraising Campaign
Cincinnati Buddy Kristina Bauer Creates Buddy Up Legacy at High School
Passionate about her Saturday morning experiences at Buddy Up Tennis Cincinnati, Kristina Bauer wanted to share her love of the program with her classmates, and started a Buddy Up...
Athlete-Buddy Dynamic Duo Audrey and Carollyn Shine in Sharing Mission
The Lorain community of Athletes and Buddies is a tight knit one. Audrey and Carollyn, two of these strong Buddy Up Tennis team members, dedicated their Summer nights to...
Swinging for a Cause: New Hampshire’s Gianluca Audia Organizes Buddy Up Charity Event
Gianluca Audia, 13, of Hanover, New Hampshire, has been volunteering in some capacity since the age of seven. This past April, he focused his skill and passion...