memory of Steve Henry

that Steve Henry had on the sport of tennis and the lives of tennis players Oklahoma and the Missouri Valley but across the country is profound and immeasurable. We are all better because of this life so well lived, and we will always and love Steve. -Emmy

Huffnagel, Former ED of First Serve OKC

Steve often and he was open to learning and getting involved him to attend the USTA Oklahoma District Annual Meeting and committee. The rest is history... Puryear, Oklahoma TSR for Steve for 14 and we became friends. I went to OU games with his family and we drove together to City for the USPTA Conference. I’m really gohim as a friend and boss.-Randy

Painton, Pro Earlywine Center

commitment to being a volunteer leader was unparalleled in terms of the time commitment he gave each he served in. A great for all of us that give our volunteer. -Bill Towler

Our section and district are definitely in a better place because of Steve. His loss will be felt throughout the country in the tennis industry as he was instrumental in growing the game through organizations such as USTA and USPTA. He impacted many lives as a father, coach, volunteer, leader and mentor. He will be missed.

-David Minihan, USTA Oklahoma Executive Director

My favorite moments with Steve were visiting with him about being a parent of 2 girls. His daughters were older than mine, and he was such a dedicated parent to them. He would talk about the next stages coming up and give such great advice for when my daughters were at that phase of life.

former USTA

- Lisa Minihan,

Missouri Valley President

I was fortunate enough to work the 2021 and 2022 USTA League National Championships held in OKC. Steve’s attention to detail (on and off the courts), his rapport with players and captains, his passion for tennis and his pride for the OKC Tennis Center was palpable. -Marilyn

Sherman,

National Promotions

Manager,

USTA League

To me, Steve Henry was Oklahoma Tennis. Steve was a combination of all the wonderful things tennis brings to my life: fun, hard work, commitment, friendship, and determination. There was only one Steve. His touch on all things tennis in Oklahoma will be felt for many many years. - Mary

Jo Tasker, USTA Oklahoma President

STEVE HENRY AND I GREW TO BE GREAT FRIENDS OVER THE 9 YEARS I WORKED FOR THE OSSAA. I’VE GOT TO SAY I HAVE NEVER MET A MAN MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS JOB AND THE SPORT OF TENNIS.

-DAVID GLOVER, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT KINGFISHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The physical benefits of tennis are relatively obvious, but the mental benefits are just as important for juniors and adults. From mental health to cognitive function, tennis provides so many unseen benefits that better the lives of tennis players of all ages.

The most common and well-known mental benefits revolve around stress and brain power advantages. Tennis players generally develop a better ability to deal with stress and other emotional challenges. Tennis also enhances a player’s alertness and tactical thinking, which provides benefits on and off the court.

However, tennis also provides other cognitive advantages that most of us don’t think about when considering the mental side of the game. While not as commonly known, these are just as valuable to players of all ages.

USTA Missouri Executive Director is an associate professor of developmental psychology at Missouri State University. She has seen how sports in general, but especially tennis, can help all ages improve their lives and well-being.

“One of the surprising and very positive advantages of engaging in physical activity for children in particular is related to something known as executive functioning, which is a host of skills that helps children manage their behaviors, their emotion regulation,” Echols said.

In a sport like tennis, this sort of emotional regulation becomes especially important. Obviously, juniors are required from a young age to officiate their matches on their own. Couple that with the competitive point-by-point nature of tennis and kids have to learn from a young age how to regulate their emotions to find success.

“If you think about emotion regulation for example, part of being on a tennis court is learning how to deal with the emotional highs and lows that come along with developing a skill, being in a match situation which is competitive and you’re either gonna win or you’re gonna lose overall,” Echols said. “But even just those individual points, that opportunity to help kids learn how to regulate those emotions seems very unique and in tennis because it’s point by point, you just have a lot of repetition and opportunity to practice that.”

Along with this emotion regulation comes increased problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Tennis players are in a unique position where they have to come to solutions without the help of teammates or outside influences for the most part. They need to learn how to calmly resolve any conflict or disagreements with their opponents during the heat of a match.

Rafael Nadal, whose stellar sportsmanship is likewise well-documented, is one of Shaan’s favorite players