Something Johnson is all too familiar with; he credits tennis for saving his own life by giving him an alternative to the drugs and gangs that surrounded him while growing up in Brooklyn. After turning pro in 1969 Johnson befriended Ashe and continued to tour with him as his coach and personal assistant until moving to San Jose in 1976 with his wife.
Through the City of San Jose’s Parks & Recreation Department Johnson has coached and mentored thousands of children. The money for the program is donated through grants from the USTA and the city of San Jose's Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood Services. Kids can participate for as little as $60 a month and the summer programs are free. Jeff Ford, a recreation program specialist with San Jose’s Parks & Recreation Department says of the tennis programs, “They have such a fantastic impact on the community. Children get involved, they keet busy and stay out of trouble. And they have an opportunity to be affiliated with a sport that they would never have tried otherwise.”
One of Johnson’s shining stars, Cassandra Borjon, started playing tennis in the Los Paseo’s program when she was nine years old. Johnson says, “Cassandra is a special child. At nine years old she just fell in love with the game – and it took her to college.”
Cassandra is the recipient of the USTA NorCal Diversity Committee’s Pancho Gonzalez College Scholarship. Her academic successes include being number one in her high school varsity tennis team, graduating with a 3.1 GPA and being accepted to San Jose State University, an enormous accomplishment as she will be the first in her family to attend college. Equally as impressive, Cassandra also made the San Jose State tennis team. Johnson proudly explains, “I used to sit around and listen to Arthur Ashe and Pancho Gonzalez talk about their dream – to send a Latino child to college. Now 30 years later that dream has come true.”
Like her mentor, Cassandra has had to overcome several serious obstacles; her life took a dramatic and tragic turn when her father died in 2004. Two years later Cassandra was diagnosed with Nephritic Syndrome, a kidney disease. Despite suffering a relapse this past year, Cassandra remains dedicated to tennis. This past summer she volunteered her time to assist Johnson with coaching. Johnson says, “Cassandra helped everyday, for nothing in return. I know there were some days when she didn’t feel well at all and it was very hard for her, but she still showed up and did everything that she possibly could.”
The feeling is mutual; passion for the game is why Cassandra continues to play but it’s passion and gratitude for her coach that is her real driving force. She explains, “In this sport, there is no one else that I could admire besides my Coach Don Johnson. Being out there on the tennis court help me get rid of all my frustrations, as well as learn while having fun. He’s always been there for me – on and off the court”
Silvia Duenas-Bielser, USTA NorCal’s Diversity Liaison Latino Outreach Specialist, says of Cassandra, “I believe that this is exactly what we are about- providing opportunities to such deserving people, especially to those who have used tennis as a vehicle to move forward in life. Cassandra is a great example of how she used tennis to stay focused, healthy, positive in the face of adversity, engaged in her community and become a better person as a result.”
Johnson’s dedication to children never stops. Not only is he helping to raise money for Cassandra’s medical bills, but also, in 2008 he is planning a trip to Ghana, Africa where he will deliver 1000 computers, 1000 tennis racquets and 1000 t-shirts…and a whole lot of smiles.
SIDEBAR #!
Cassandra Borjon – asked, “If you could do anything to change tennis for the better, what might that be?”
“I would change the way that tennis is known throughout the world. Have you ever been to a nice area like Los Gatos, Stevens Creek, etc.? Have you seen how many tennis courts they have?! Now, let's compare that to poor areas such as, Mexico, and not so far areas like, Downtown San Jose or Hayward. Never have I seen so much contrast in one game. I mean, this should be a worldwide sport, with everyone having the same opportunity to try it. If I could change the sport for the better I would change the way it seems to spread to mostly the wealthy and not so much the places of poverty. I would keep the same manners that come with the sport, but I would just let it be known to more people.”
SIDEBAR #2:
Francisco Ruiz – An Inspiration
On the USTA’s Board of Directors and a member of NorCal’s Diversity Committee, Francisco Ruiz is greatly dedicated to youth tennis activities throughout the Bay Area. Along with running the Silicon Valley Tennis Academy, Ruiz works in the community helping to develop intermediate and advanced junior players. He says, “Once kids become involved with tennis through these community programs, it is vital to train and mentor them to the next level so that they progress and stay involved.” Currently Ruiz works with 363 kids at Silver Creek Prospect Park, Monday-Friday afternoons from 3:00 – 6:00 and Saturday mornings from 9:00 – 12:00. The program is run by the City of San Jose, scholarships are available.
Superheroes in San Jose
Local Programs Are Giving Kids A Chance On The Court and In Life
“I can change people with a racquet – people become good through tennis”, explains San Jose community tennis coach Don Johnson. That’s what he sets out to do everyday for the more than 200 kids that participate in the Backesto Park Tennis and Bramhall Youth Tennis programs in San Jose, CA.
Johnson has made a life of dedicating himself to the children of San Jose by following the values and beliefs of his late great friend, tennis legend Arthur Ashe. Ashe believed that tennis is an excellent method of instilling skills, self-esteem and character in kids preparing for adulthood. Johnson says, “Tennis takes you off the streets, gives you something to care about, it teaches you life lessons and respect.”
