Girls Tennis teams across Minnesota come together for a cause: 'It's about a lot more than tennis'

They wore pink in Mora and Morris, Mahtomedi and Montevideo. In Rosemount and Roseau, St. Cloud and St. Peter. From Apple Valley to Zimmerman, 40 Girls Tennis teams across Minnesota made an addition to their colors for a week and it started with an idea from a coach in his final year guiding the Coon Rapids Cardinals.

“I thought, how can we try to make an impact in Girls Tennis?” Scott Storrick said.

He has a daughter working at Allina Health, a friend at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and an awareness that research funding can be difficult. Teams in other sports come together to raise money and Storrick remembers working on an initiative with the old North Suburban Conference years ago.

Now Girls Tennis has an impact: More than $6,000 donated to Allina Health for cancer research.

So far.

“There’s word out there and more schools want to do it,” Storrick said.

Storrick, who started the graphics program at Coon Rapids after transitioning from an engineering career, mocked up a “Serve It Up For Cancer” design and worked with a friend at Plymouth-based Graphic Goat to get the T-shirts printed in two shades of pink. Each cost $10, with $5 donated. His original goal was to raise $10,000.

“This might get there,” Storrick said. “But my daughter sent me a wonderful text message and said, ‘Dad, be proud of 6,000-plus.’”

On a steamy afternoon last Thursday, a few dozen of the more than 1,200 sold pink shirts were worn by Coon Rapids and Blaine players, coaches, fans and distinguished guests on the blue tennis courts outside Blaine High School.

The teams formed a half circle as Coon Rapids captains Melina Lee and Caitlyn Easton spoke about cancer’s impact and the importance of supporting community. They presented bouquets to Coon Rapids staff members Bree Medin and Corey LaGree, both cancer survivors.

“It’s really important for people to know that people are there to support them,” Blaine head coach Jeff Fedor said.

Fedor then turned toward the Bengals and their guest of honor. Rita Beckman is an educator at Jackson Middle School who is battling cancer. Her daughter plays for Blaine.

“She’s an inspiration every day,” Fedor said. “She’s here with a smile on her face to support her daughter. I just love seeing her at every match and just want her to know that we’re all behind you and we’re going to see you beat this thing.”

Rita hugged her daughter and received a bouquet.

Storrick reminded everyone that cookies were waiting after the match for further community building.

“In the end, we play tennis,” Fedor said. “But it’s about a lot more than tennis.”

Teaming up for community

Serve it Up is one of many ways that students in League Member Schools have a positive impact on their communities. Our Student Advisory and Leadership Team (SALT) is collecting those efforts via the MSHSL Community Service Challenge.

By the way: In 1981, Storrick became the first Blaine student to qualify for a state tournament in tennis. Now he’s getting ready for retirement, which means more hunting and fishing and more time with his two children and two grandchildren.

He’d like to see the tennis community continue to Serve It Up.

“When I retire at the end of May, maybe there is going to be someone to take this over,” Storrick said. “Or maybe I’ll volunteer and still do it.”