Stan Smith is still going strong

On Monday, May 13, former Wimbledon and US Open champion Stan Smith will receive an honor not for his incredible accomplishments at tennis' highest level, nor for his eponymous Adidas shoe (more on that later). Rather, he will earn the Shining Star Award for his impactful support of the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP). The non-profit brings tennis to youth from high-risk, low-income inner-city neighborhoods while offering opportunities for self-development, emphasizing education and a positive code of behavior.

HJTEP insists on academic achievement, and the average GPA of participants is 3.1. It has opened a new door for many underserved boys and girls, ages 6-18, to learn the game of tennis and to achieve academic success.

“The success of the HJTEP for the past 52 years would not have been possible without the selfless commitment from scores of people like Stan and Michelle Blake-Wilson (who will also be honored, with the The James R. Kelly III Chairman’s Award),” said Katrina Adams, HJTEP Executive Director. “We look forward to this opportunity to thank our friends and supporters and introduce them to many of the youngsters directly benefitting from our programs.”

Before Stan's big night, TENNIS.com caught up with the 77-year-old, who shows zero signs of slowing down.

You've done a lot of great work with the Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles, and with the HJTEP. What is it about these programs that is so important?

I've known Kat (Katrina Adams). forever, and have tremendous respect for what she's done in Harlem. She's stayed with it the whole time, as the face of the organization. They're doing some special things there. Giving kids opportunities to play tennis, and even more importantly, some direction. I've heard a number of stories from people saying that, like the Boys & Girls Club, the program saved their life.

The educatonal element, time management, discipline—all things that tennis provides—is more important than whether they're going to be a great player, coming out of the program.

52nd Annual HJTEP Gala:

• Sold Out—350+ guests
• Emceed by WCBS TV Anchor Maurice DuBois
• Event raised $1 million for HJTEP
• Key Auction Items
  • US Open President’s Box for 2 -- $13k
  • Indian Wells VIP Tickets for 2 - $16k
  • Golf Outing with Stan Smith - $16k
  • ESPN US OPEN Behind the Scenes VIP Experience with Patrick McEnroe: $14k

May is National Tennis Month. How do you feel tennis is doing right now, recreationally?

My overall philosophy is a concern for people moving, getting away from the computer and getting exercise. Stopping obesity. Whether that's by tennis or pickleball or padel or ping pong or whatever—if kids, and adults, can get out and play something like that...there's so much to be said for tennis. The research is pretty strong about tennis being the healthiest sport in the world, not only physically but emotionally and socially. I think that's the key.

The age-old adage is that you can play it forever. I played football, baseball and basketball, and I haven't done those for 30 years. But you can play tennis and all these other sports forever. My mother played until she was 90, and my mother-in-law played tournaments when she was 80. We have a legacy of tennis on both sids of our family, and so much of what I've done has been because of the sport.

Obviously, I'm an advocate.

There are some incredible partcipants in your new film—John McEnroe, Run DMC, Pharell, to name just a few. Was there anything someone said that really struck you, that you may not have realized?

Ken Solomon is in there, talking about the impact I had. Charlie Pasarell was at the premiere in L.A. It was fun to hear what Pharell had to say.

Darryl (a founding member of Run DMC) said, "he's done a lot of things, but he's not soft." It was a fun comment he made. And it's true, to compete at a high level, you can't be soft.

Besides the white and green, what's your favorite variation of the shoe?

There's literally thousands of variations. I had some blue suede shoes, with some red on the back, was one of my favorites. Then I designed some, with cracked black leather and white tennis-ball material on the back. I also designed some in the USC colors, and for some my wife, in Princeton's orange and black.

But also, Ken's son, he designed one for me with white alligator material, shoelaces with gold tips, very unique one-off. It was presented to me in a glass case. That's one of my favorites as well.