20th Anniversary: Judy Long

Our final 20th Anniversary Spotlight features someone who seems to be the final puzzle piece between every constituent of our organization. Chances are high that someone who comes through our doors has a connection to Judy Long. She brought her classroom teaching skills and passion for youth to our courts in 2004, and her impact has known no limits. Judy continues to fill our bubbles with positive energy 18 years later, and she embodies our mission to the fullest. She has connected so many people of all ages to Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center, and we are so immensely grateful for her. We hope you enjoy this interview with Judy as you learn more about how she found her way to our courts, and where her drive to help everyone around her comes from. 

Q: Give us a little pre-Fred Wells history of your life! 

Judy: After living in Chicago, my husband and I decided Minneapolis was our place. I taught at Field Middle School, Emerson Spanish Emersion Schools. This was useful to help me know where the kids in our community were coming from and then from 10 years of coaching volleyball at Powderhorn Park, I had a good background in youth programming to keep students active.   

Q: How did you get involved in tennis?  

JL: Growing up, we played in our alley or lit courts in our neighborhood where we had to put quarters in for an hour of tennis under the lights. Corcoran Park was where I began teaching tennis. It is a small park with two courts, and a wading pool right next to it for kids to jump in after to cool down.  

Q: What is your earliest memory of Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center?  

JL: There was a free Saturday program in 2002 for kids and adults at Northwest Club. I would bring my kids to it and use that time to do my curriculum planning for school. Their coaches were Tony Stingley and Gary Clark. Once FWTEC opened, my kids came to the Saturday programs here.  

Gary saw I would always be doing my classroom prep and he asked if I was a teacher and could teach tennis. He encouraged me to apply for a job at Fred Wells because they were looking for someone to help set up the off court, education side. They had Gary and Susie Neet helping but still needed the classroom component to work with the on court.  

I was hired in December 2004, and we started working with Sheridan Global Arts School. We had a principal that supported us, and the kids in that program stuck with us from 4th to 8th grade. They let our school bus have its own spot, and kids would come out the side door right onto the bus. Snack time was combined with life skills classroom time, and then quickly get them on court. When it comes to relationship building, there is a huge difference between 60 minutes vs 80 minutes so we had to work fast! Being with students for multiple years, allowed us to develop strong, long-term relationships. Middle school is a really hard age to recruit. We focused on 4th, 5th, and 6th so that by the time they get to 7th and 8th they are already locked in. Those kids bring their younger siblings, other families and friends. It evolves into a big team, a community.  

Q: What were some obstacles you faced in those early years?  

JL: There has always been struggles around transportation. Early on, they bought a yellow school bus, and then they found out that only schools could have a yellow bus so we painted it blue. For many years, the bus driver was John Wege. He was perfect for the job, so reliable and good with the kids.  

The summertime saw similar struggles. Between Dan Swanson, Brandon Heath, and me we took turns driving our 15-passenger van for pickups and drop offs. Trent Tucker loaned us a van in turn for us giving them a court during the school year. One summer, Karen Gjerstad and Nancy Lawrence offered to drive kids. Urban Academy teachers drove kids here before they built their new gym. During COVID, we could only have one kid per row so some kids were picked up, some were dropped off, and some took the light rail. Through creative responses and cooperative solutions, we have worked through the obstacles of access. 

Q: You have such an amazing ability to inspire and instill confidence in everyone around you. Where do you think that comes from?  

JL: When it came time to go to college, there was not an expectation that I would go. My high school counselor, who had over 1,000 students, said, “Where are you going to college?” I said, “I don’t know if I am going.” She said, “Yes you are.” She got me a huge scholarship to Knox College. Without her, I do not think I would have done any of that. I for sure would not have gotten the scholarship without her. I remember her when I encourage young people to change their lives, apply for the next step or opportunity. Be that cog in the wheel.  

I love kids. They teach you so much. They give you so much joy. The structure of our programs allowed us to have both deep and meaningful relationships with youth. By the time they get into high school, their lives get full with the challenges of school and opportunity to work part-time jobs. If we want to maintain that relationship and support, the initiative is on us. I know I will keep doing that with the kids I know. That is my commitment.  

Q: You have taken a role now that focuses on teaching Adults and Beginners. How do you introduce the sport of tennis to someone?  

JL: The model I learned in teaching is students do not care to learn until they learn you care. I think that is true for all ages. Your passion and investment, those are all things that happen when you care. Just as I have loved working with kids, adults that are beginners are so committed to getting better. They are ready to go. You just need some balls and a racquet. The state of play can make a very positive learning environment. Whether you are learning math tables or backhands.  

Q: We are closing out our 20th Birthday! You have been part of 18 of those years. What do you envision for the next 20 years?  

JL: Reflecting on the 20 years, I think about Dan Shannon’s speech at the Gala. He talked about sitting with Fred Wells and Linda Langeness about the possibility of having a tennis center for inner city kids, and those three people had never done that before. That is amazing and should be celebrated. From 20 years ago to today, WOW! That is incredible.  

When you go through pictures, and you see youth and adults, you see the deep commitment people have made to this program. People have made some incredible financial, emotional, and personal investments. It is amazing to me the commitments people have made.  

The first 20 years had bumps, but we had so much success. Being able to support youth and overcome access. I am not talking about forehands; I am talking about guidance through middle and high school years. We have students who graduated from college, completed a term in the marines, and so many other major milestones. We are so committed to our youth, and I hope that remains and continues to motivate us.  

Judy lives in South Minneapolis with her husband, Mark. When she is not on court or connecting with past students, Judy is running around with her grandson Jayce. She has completed FIVE marathons and enjoys exploring the world! This summer she hiked parts of the El Camino trail along Spain and recently returned from Peru hiking the Inca Trail. Judy is currently our Adult Program Coordinator and manages our in-house leagues. Unofficially, she is also our Twin Cities Food Guide and insists everyone enjoy a pizza or empanada from Boludo, the Argentinian shop in Downtown and South Minneapolis.