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Hall of Famer Smith still on lookout for young talent
Published October 4, 2006 at midnight
Stan Smith always has reveled as much in his role as an ambassador for tennis as he once reveled in the spotlight of the Davis Cup.
While the tennis Hall of Famer is well into retirement, it hasn't brought much down time. Smith's dizzying schedule will bring him to Boulder on Sunday to participate in a charitable exhibition called Volley for MS, a benefit for the Sue Burke MS Youth Foundation.
The event, set for the Meadows Club (5555 Racquet Lane), will feature an exhibition and on-court clinic hosted by Smith, former top-25 player Ann Grossman-Wunderlich and two of Colorado's top youth players, siblings Kellen and Krista Damico.
Smith, who also runs his own tennis academy, still enjoys traveling to meet many of the nation's top up-and-coming players.
"I'm looking forward to it," Smith said. "I'd like to see how (the Damicos) are doing. I'm always looking for the good American players. I go to all the major events, so I get to see them a lot. I go to a lot of college events, too."
Fans who want to donate money to a good cause on Sunday also will get a chance to meet and watch one of the top American players in tennis history.
Elected to the tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, Smith was on seven winniing U.S. Davis Cup teams (he had a stellar 22-2 match record) in a career that also included 29 singles titles and 61 doubles titles.
Smith was ranked No. 1 for four years and later took his tennis prowess into management, serving as the director of coaching for the USTA Player Development Program from 1988 to 1995. He also coached the U.S. team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Kellen Damico, 17, listed as the No. 1 recruit in this year's high school senior class by the online service tennisrecruiting.net, won this year's Wimbledon junior doubles title with Nathaniel Scnugg.
Krista Damico has also had a big summer, winning the 16-and-under singles title at the National Open in Allenwood, N.J.
"I'm doing a lot of charity events, so my schedule gets pretty busy," said Smith, who also finds time to watch his daughter compete at the University of North Carolina. "What I always remember most is the Davis Cup. I was fortunate enough to be on winning Davis Cup teams, and that was always one of my goals."
It's still possible to register for the event, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., either by phone (303-678-1147) or online (www.burkemsyf.org). A $30 donation includes food and admission to the auction and exhibition. A $65 donation also includes the on-court clinic with Smith, Grossman-Wunderlich and the Damicos. All proceeds benefit the Sue Burke MS Youth Foundation.
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