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How the Magic Express Tennis Club came to be.
History of the Magic Express Tennis Club
In 1977, a friend that used to ride to work with him introduced James Gaddy to tennis. After years of standing around the basketball court and never getting picked, he quickly developed a love for tennis because it is a game that can be played with just two people and if necessary, it can be played alone.
In 1983, James organized what is now known as the Magic Express Tennis Club. The original name was the Rum Tennis Club can anybody want to guess why? After showing up at the park a couple of time and waiting to find someone who wanted to play and to have no one show up, the club was organized simply because James wanted somebody to play tennis with on a regular basis.
The team started with just four members, Charles Daniels, Larry Daniels, Anthony Evans and James Gaddy. Can you believe there was no club dues and that all tournaments were free? The original goal was to recruit two new members each year. Also each new member was required to recruit two people. In 1984, James won the tournament.
In 1985, Willie Stephens and Brian Moore joined the team. Brian Moore also won one of the tournaments that year. Willie Stephens won the other tournament. The team also went thought another major event as James decided to combine his two loves and so as to promote his disco, he named the team the Super Squirrel Tennis Teams.
In 1986, the name of the club was change yet again to become the "Magic Express Tennis Club". Larry Greene joined the team that year and went on to follow the precedent set by Brian Moore in winning the tournament. Also, this year James approached several women with an invitation to join the team. However, no women actually joined the team, It must have been his courtside manner.
In 1987, with the addition of several new members, including women, it became necessary for the team to elect officers. The offices were as follows:
President-James Gaddy, Vice-President-Larry Greene,
Secretary-Brian Moore, and Treasurer-Roy Freeman.
The officials decide that all club members should pay dues in the amount of .00. Percy Chase won the tournament that year.
In 1988, James decided to give up the office of president. Brian Moore now holds this office. The team has grown from its humble beginnings to include 32 men and 19 women, a total membership of 51 persons and still growing.
The 1989-year brought out the competitiveness of members as they participated in open tournament around the state. Women became more involved in tennis play.
As the 90's came to a close with officers now holding for two years, the club continues to grow. The women have become more competitive and stronger tennis players in the club.
The METC hosted its first benefit tournament in conjunction with WFXC-FM Foxy 197/Operation Breakthrough for the Homeless in 1990. The METC continues each year to give monies to organization that are dear to members hearts.
Because of the fund raising efforts of the club this year, we were able to give donations to the South Durham Youth Athletic League and the Coalition for Battered Women during the METC Open tournament.
The travel team moved to a new high from one win to several in the last few years and few losses.
As the club continues to grow, we have total membership of 100 (55 men and 45 women) as we closed the 2003 season. It is a year of growth and improvement.
In 1977, a friend that used to ride to work with him introduced James Gaddy to tennis. After years of standing around the basketball court and never getting picked, he quickly developed a love for tennis because it is a game that can be played with just two people and if necessary, it can be played alone.
In 1983, James organized what is now known as the Magic Express Tennis Club. The original name was the Rum Tennis Club can anybody want to guess why? After showing up at the park a couple of time and waiting to find someone who wanted to play and to have no one show up, the club was organized simply because James wanted somebody to play tennis with on a regular basis.
The team started with just four members, Charles Daniels, Larry Daniels, Anthony Evans and James Gaddy. Can you believe there was no club dues and that all tournaments were free? The original goal was to recruit two new members each year. Also each new member was required to recruit two people. In 1984, James won the tournament.
In 1985, Willie Stephens and Brian Moore joined the team. Brian Moore also won one of the tournaments that year. Willie Stephens won the other tournament. The team also went thought another major event as James decided to combine his two loves and so as to promote his disco, he named the team the Super Squirrel Tennis Teams.
In 1986, the name of the club was change yet again to become the "Magic Express Tennis Club". Larry Greene joined the team that year and went on to follow the precedent set by Brian Moore in winning the tournament. Also, this year James approached several women with an invitation to join the team. However, no women actually joined the team, It must have been his courtside manner.
In 1987, with the addition of several new members, including women, it became necessary for the team to elect officers. The offices were as follows:
President-James Gaddy, Vice-President-Larry Greene,
Secretary-Brian Moore, and Treasurer-Roy Freeman.
The officials decide that all club members should pay dues in the amount of .00. Percy Chase won the tournament that year.
In 1988, James decided to give up the office of president. Brian Moore now holds this office. The team has grown from its humble beginnings to include 32 men and 19 women, a total membership of 51 persons and still growing.
The 1989-year brought out the competitiveness of members as they participated in open tournament around the state. Women became more involved in tennis play.
As the 90's came to a close with officers now holding for two years, the club continues to grow. The women have become more competitive and stronger tennis players in the club.
The METC hosted its first benefit tournament in conjunction with WFXC-FM Foxy 197/Operation Breakthrough for the Homeless in 1990. The METC continues each year to give monies to organization that are dear to members hearts.
Because of the fund raising efforts of the club this year, we were able to give donations to the South Durham Youth Athletic League and the Coalition for Battered Women during the METC Open tournament.
The travel team moved to a new high from one win to several in the last few years and few losses.
As the club continues to grow, we have total membership of 100 (55 men and 45 women) as we closed the 2003 season. It is a year of growth and improvement.
This is one of my favorite images
2002 Women's 4.0 State Champion
Mahogany Tennis Classic
The History of the Mahogany Tennis Classic
In 1985, a group of tennis players from eastern North Carolina met to discuss the organizing of their tennis circuit. From this meeting, The Mahogany Tennis Classic was formed.
Mahogany, a select group of tennis teams from eastern North Carolina, was to be a rotating team tennis tournament with individual awards as well. Age brackets were not used because in the challenge matches everyone played each other, regardless of age.
It has been a pleasure watching Mahogany grow from a sheet of paper to over 80 entrants in 1991.
The first Classis was held in Goldsboro in 1986 on July 4th weekend. Since the 4th does not always fall on a weekend, the date was changed to Memorial Day weekend.
In 1987, Mahogany rotated to Greenville. That was the first year of our annual family cookout. The cookout was one of the best ideas to come out of Mahogany since it started.
The next year was Raleigh's turn to host Mahogany. We had a great time. It was also the first time the GTA did not win the championship trophy.
In 1899, Rocky Mount was the host for the Mahogany tourney. No one knew the Aces had so many members. The tournament really helped them to pull their team together. That was also the year of the first Mahogany Volvo team.
1990 was the year the everyone was waiting for a chance to go to Wilmington for Mahogany. 1990 also saw the addition of the Magic Express Tennis Club from Durham to our Mahogany family. We had so much fun in Wilmington that people were suggesting that Mahogany be held there every year. If they knew how many members the Seagulls brought out, they would change that tune.
1991 will see even more changes in the Classic. The Fayetteville University Wizards will host it. It will be the first time that age brackets will be used. Also, we now have a constitution and by-laws and we are trying to get sponsored. 1991 will also see the coming out of the Ladies Mahogany USTA 3.0 team.
The Mahogany Classic has grown and the Board of Directors has taken some positive steps to assure future growth. With the people we have working for us, we can't go wrong.
In 1985, a group of tennis players from eastern North Carolina met to discuss the organizing of their tennis circuit. From this meeting, The Mahogany Tennis Classic was formed.
Mahogany, a select group of tennis teams from eastern North Carolina, was to be a rotating team tennis tournament with individual awards as well. Age brackets were not used because in the challenge matches everyone played each other, regardless of age.
It has been a pleasure watching Mahogany grow from a sheet of paper to over 80 entrants in 1991.
The first Classis was held in Goldsboro in 1986 on July 4th weekend. Since the 4th does not always fall on a weekend, the date was changed to Memorial Day weekend.
In 1987, Mahogany rotated to Greenville. That was the first year of our annual family cookout. The cookout was one of the best ideas to come out of Mahogany since it started.
The next year was Raleigh's turn to host Mahogany. We had a great time. It was also the first time the GTA did not win the championship trophy.
In 1899, Rocky Mount was the host for the Mahogany tourney. No one knew the Aces had so many members. The tournament really helped them to pull their team together. That was also the year of the first Mahogany Volvo team.
1990 was the year the everyone was waiting for a chance to go to Wilmington for Mahogany. 1990 also saw the addition of the Magic Express Tennis Club from Durham to our Mahogany family. We had so much fun in Wilmington that people were suggesting that Mahogany be held there every year. If they knew how many members the Seagulls brought out, they would change that tune.
1991 will see even more changes in the Classic. The Fayetteville University Wizards will host it. It will be the first time that age brackets will be used. Also, we now have a constitution and by-laws and we are trying to get sponsored. 1991 will also see the coming out of the Ladies Mahogany USTA 3.0 team.
The Mahogany Classic has grown and the Board of Directors has taken some positive steps to assure future growth. With the people we have working for us, we can't go wrong.
