Introduction
Ronald McKenzie, CEO of 3T/CSS, Inc. (3T), founded Team-3T (3TPro10S) Ronald, a competitive tennis player (he competes on the USTA Pro Circuit in both future, challenger and ATP events) and avid supporter of both the United States Tennis Association (USTA), Tennis Professional Registry (PTR) and the American Tennis Association (ATA), has been playing, teaching and promoting tennis for over twenty years.
Over these years, he has seen many young black players talented enough to compete on the professional circuit, but lacking the necessary finances. So Ronald decided to donate his time, effort and money towards investing into a team of black players.
He chose the team through his interaction with players in whom he saw:
1) The desire to excel on the court,
2) A serious and realistic goal of playing professionally,
3) On and off court courtesy,
4) Discipline,
5) Intelligence and drive.
The first members of 3TPro10S were Kirtsen Cable, Ogidi Obi, Rahman Smiley, Quamey Gordon, and Jamal Parker. That initial sponsorship of 3TPro10S provided airfare and accommodations to play the 1999 and 2000 ATA Nationals in Birmingham, Alabama. Sponsorship also brought Phil Williamson in as a team Coach and trainer a week before the Nationals.
Those first team members performed very well at the 1999 ATA Nationals. Kirtsen Cable reached the quarterfinals in singles. Quamey Gordon and Jamal Parker reached the finals in doubles and played against Ogidi Obi and Rahman Smiley who won that event. The following year Ogidi and Kirtsen teamed up and won the 2000 Men’s Doubles. The other team members all made it to the Men’s Singles Quarter Finals. Other players are also being considered for 3TPro10S.
3TPro10S seeks to obtain enough equipment and financing for these talented black players to compete at the highest level of the professional circuit and to keep their tennis aspirations alive. As a consequence, 3TPro10S will increase the black presence within the professional ranks, making realistic for more and more black players a goal of playing professional tennis.
Our selection of players would differ from the way the USTA selects younger player. It is our belief that these players are more mature mentally and physically. If you look at the worlds best athletes are all over 25 years of age. Whether you are looking at Track and Field, Pro Foot ball, Pro Basket ball, Cycling or Pro Baseball.
These players however need the most help and they never get it. Rahman Smiley and Jamal Parker received financial support from their parents as does Mashiska Washington who practices with my player while we are on tour. Kirtsen Cable and Ogidi Obi received support from 3TPro10S’s parent company 3T/CSS, Inc. and by teaching tennis at local tennis clubs in the northern New Jersey area.
This may bring some money to these two players but they need to spend as time on the tour as possible if they are to make as a professional tennis player. So, whatever equipment, equipment discounts or funds these young men can receive would be a great step towards their ability to make it into the 100 on the Pro Tour.
Goals and Objectives
The ardent and realistic goals for the Team-3T members are to achieve a top 100 world ranking within two and a half years on the circuit and a top 20 ranking within five years. This will be achieved by playing the various Future and Challenger Professional Satellite, tournaments in the United States and around the world. By training at academies with the best players and coaches, team members will improve during practices as well as matches.
Focus will be on improving level of play as quickly and efficiently as possible by playing selective tournaments. By integrating a competitive team environment, players will learn from and coach each other. Moreover, they will have practice partners at professional events and will cut room and travel costs to the various events. By having a traveling team of young black tennis professionals, the sport will not only be promoted among those members of the team, but also among persons who see the ability and achievements of players working together as a team. Success will be greater and faster in a team effort. More publicity will be generated for the sponsor along with the team members, thereby promoting both the sponsor and tennis within the African-American community.
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