Norwalk tennis fundraiser going well

NORWALK — The Norwalk High School tennis programs recently released an update on its campaign to raise funds for five new tennis courts at the Norwalk Middle School.The new courts, along with the three courts that were built in 1990, would give Norwalk eight courts to be built at the current site. The total cost of the project is estimated at $400,000, with the Norwalk Athletic Boosters pledging a matching donation of up to $200,000.As of Jan. 6, the program has raised $96,150 in donations, which has been matched by the boosters. That is enough to cover the cost to install two-plus courts of the five needed so far, while three of the eight projected courts have sponsors (donations of $20,000 or more)."The community support has been outstanding as 2020 ends and 2021 begins," Norwalk head boys and girls tennis coach Chris Higgins said. "After only three months, we are almost halfway to the goal of $400,000 total raised. Donations ranging from $50 to $20,000 have been graciously submitted. "In order to complete this community project, it will take donors of all shapes and sizes," he added. "The Norwalk Tennis program will continue to apply for community grants from various foundations and companies in the area along with a few national foundations offering tennis court funding."The four tennis courts located closest to the parking lot at the Middle School were built in 1971 and are approaching 50 years in age. The new courts would also include a fifth one, bringing the total to eight courts at the facility.Because of the weather conditions in North Central Ohio, the courts have issues that can only be fixed by digging them out completely. Underground water issues are a major issue for four of the courts.Prior to the coronavirus pandemic canceling the 2020 boys tennis season in March, the Norwalk coaching staff realized it was time to explore a resurfacing project, according to Higgins.Higgins estimates the courts may only have a couple of seasons until they become unplayable as the conditions continue to deteriorate."A specific plan for those tennis courts has not been decided, but they will no longer be maintained as tennis courts," Higgins said.The goal of the project is to build the five new ones to the east, just past the current three that were built in 1990 and currently are used primarily for doubles matches.Higgins said if a significant amount of funds are raised beyond the $200,000 the boosters will match, the program will explore adding outdoor restrooms with a drinking fountain and water filling station — and potentially additional seating, a donation board or trophy case.In an effort to raise funds for the projects, different donor level incentives are being offered.The donation levels include $500-$2,499 (friend of the program); $2,500-$9,999 (SBC champion); $10,000-$19,999 (NOL champion); $20,000 (single court sponsor); $60,000 (blue courts sponsor); $100,000 (gold courts sponsor) and $200,000 (facility naming rights). There will be various types of recognition for each donation.Questions or information on the project can be requested from Higgins by contacting him at 419-706-3343 or by email at higginsc@norwalktruckers.net. Questions can also be directed to Athletic Booster member Eric Mozina at 419-921-5274 or at mozinae@norwalktruckers.netNorwalk teams originally played on three courts located at St. Mary's Street, just to the north of Whitney Field. Those courts were later converted into a skate park, which was razed this summer as part of the renovations to the Warren C. Whitney Complex.According to a Sept. 1971 Board of Education meeting, when the four courts were built in 1971 at the current site, they were to be constructed for tennis — but also with the intent to flood them with water in the winter to use for ice skating.The three additional courts were then built in 1990 to bring the total to seven courts. Historic programThe Norwalk tennis program has long been one of, if not the most consistent winner in the school's history.Norwalk first fielded a boys tennis team in 1929. Records show the team lost just three matches up until 1945, including a winning streak of 35 in a row.In 1973, the school offered girls tennis as a school-sponsored team under head coach Diane Kukowski, two years before it became an official sanctioned sport by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.The boys program won the most league championships in the history of the Northern Ohio League (1944-2017) with 27 total.The Truckers took off under boys head coach Dave Rehnborg (1980-2003), which included 26 NOL titles in a 33-year stretch that also continued under former players Ray Scheid (2004-10) and Higgins (2011-present).From 1996 through 2003, the Truckers won 101 straight league matches. Norwalk had 18 undefeated NOL seasons from 1985-2017. The Truckers finished with two unbeaten regular seasons and eight 1-loss seasons.A total of 116 players over 81 singles and doubles positions from 1982-2017 earned All-NOL first team honors. There were also 12 seasons with a state qualifier, while the Truckers as a team reached the OTCA state semifinals in 1999.Further, the boys team has had just five losing seasons in 40 years, and just one in the past 28 years (2009).Since the 2017-18 school year, Norwalk has competed as a member of the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division.The boys team is 23-3 in the SBC over two seasons and 32-8 overall.The girls program has had five state qualifiers since 1997, and since 2009, have won eight league titles in 12 seasons.After going 12-2 in their initial season in the SBC, the Trucker girls have won the last three league titles with unbeaten 12-0 records. Norwalk will take a 41-match SBC win streak into 2021.Overall, the girls program is 204-32 over the past 12 seasons, including a 139-11 record in league matches. Since 2013, the girls team is 96-2 in league matches.