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Letter to the editor

Invitational honors revered teacher

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Sports Correspondent
Published January 2, 2008

Last weekend's 39th annual Dan Sullivan Homecoming Invitational at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center was like all the previous ones - lots of cheering and good-natured jeering mixed among friendly, competitive doubles action - just the way the late Dan Sullivan would have enjoyed.

Sullivan started the invitational in 1968 so former and current students could get together over the holidays. Even after Sullivan's death in April 2003, the players continued the invitational to honor their revered teacher.

Year after year, more than 30 players schedule their time to be able to spend a day with friends on the courts, catching up on each other's lives while engaged in some lively competition.

After five rounds of play, the top two players in each of the 16-player flights entered a playoff. Dave Anderson and Pat Brady represented the Mighty Fine division and Richard Barrett and Mark Wagner the Superb.

The foursome played the same format and ended in a four-way tie. It took another playoff to name Brady the winner, followed by Barrett, Wagner and Anderson.

"I've played in this 25 years and this is my first win," Brady said. "I'm definitely sore after all that playing Saturday, but it was fun to get together with friends and to honor Dan Sullivan. I met him when I was 12 or 13 and playing tennis with friends or in a tournament there. The center was a vibrant facility then, and he brought a lot of players there."

Among the Bishop Barry now St. Petersburg Catholic High School graduates were Brady and his brother Tim, Brian Davis, Tom Robison and Mike Carroll. Other participants in the Superb division were Paul and Mike Reilly, Joel and Eli Samaha, Jim Pseuth, Ralph Howe, Jonathan Crooms, Brant Bailey, Nga Duong, Fred Guerrier and Sam Vuille. Junior player Caitlin Jammo rounded out the division. Among the Mighty Fine players were Jeff Beck, Bill Young, Ryan Brady, Jack Carey, Jeff Davis, Evan Jones, John McQuillen, Thinh Duong, Evan Jones, Todd Meyer, Terry Reeb and Ed Reese. Hiroko Nishikawa, one of the center's teaching pros, rounded out the division.

"I think one of the main reasons this event continues is that it goes back to the cherished memories within this group," said Mike Carroll, who coordinated the event with Vuille. "We all appreciate the pros we had, especially Dan Sullivan. He encouraged us in tennis and life. I think for many of the players, the day of the invitational is one of their favorites."

Among the spectators was former professional player Betsy Nagelsen.

"Dan is such a legend and it gives me goose bumps to see these players come out year after year to honor him," Nagelsen said. "He had an impact on not just a few but, for sure, hundreds of players and instilled not just tennis fundamentals but a love of the sport."

Nagelsen, a graduate of Northeast High, was trained by Sullivan and traveled with her when she embarked on her professional career in 1974.

Sullivan's daughter Shirleyattended the afternoon's play and was impressed with the spirit and intensity of the competition.

"This day is definitely a tribute to Dad to see all these guys out there playing," Shirley Sullivansaid. "I'm always amazed in that I often look out on the tennis courts and see my father's shots. He taught fundamental tennis and always taught with humor."

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756.

[Last modified January 1, 2008, 22:46:19]