Maurice was gifted in tennis and was recruited out of high school for a full fledged tennis scholarship to Pepperdine University Malibu by tennis legend ’Bobby Riggs’ son, Larry Riggs. He was the only returning letterman after that first year. In articles it’s describing how his play was exceptional and Larry called on him to get his team out of a spot. Other sportswriters write of his killer overheads, his swiftness in the ability to cover the court. There’s even one article describing the challenge between a white player of privilege against each other and the tension is felt. Maurice becomes victorious in this match and the opponent describes how he had underestimated Maurice’s skills.
Please provide additional information you feel is important for the committee to know about
this candidate.
Through his F.A.C.T. (Future Athletic Champions of Tennis) and other nonprofits he mentored youn inner city children giving them tennis equipment and incentive cash prizes encouraging their mental and physical coordination during instruction exercises to pinpoint that $1 he strategically place. And the kids lined up by the dozens to hit that mark and get that dollar or prize. He knew how to inspire and encourage participation.
Most Notable contribution to Black Tennis History is the historic win in 1979 at 22 years old becoming the first Black ever to win the Men Singles title in the Michigan Open Championship in its 30 year history. In addition he bagged the first place $1,500 first place
prize (largest ever in Michigan) and displaced some world-ranked players in the process. He won the title without the loss of a set of players from 18 states and 6 countries.
In 1974 he was the boys’ 16 singles winner in the ATA Championships; playing for Mumford High School he was considered to be one of the
finest tennis players in the PSL and was a 2-time champion and collected 63 trophies in his prep career, and was unbeaten in dual meets one season. He also reigned as the Public Parks and Northwestern Open Singles and doubles champion and one of the finest black players in the United States.
For 18 years he was the County of Los Angels Parks and Recreation Supervisor serving the underrepresented communities in gang infested South Central Parks and everyone loved him and he hired many disenfranchised teens as rec leaders beginning a new life for them.
Maurice was SEMTA no. 1 ranked player in high school for 2 years straight. He competed and won rankings in ATP, USTA and ITF American Express circuit international tournaments as
well as ATA. At 20, he won the Clinton Valley, Motor City Grand Slam, and Woodland tournaments. Later he took the challenge
bringing a tennis team to LA City College missing for 20 years and in 1 year brought them to near championship title. In 1987 among other years, he created and lead the Summer Tennis Xcellence Program at Belle Isle Tennis Courts. He also competed as a senior and in 2017 won the Crabel Invitational senior men’s singles title.
Detroit qualifier Maurice Hunter played the USLTA national junior tournament competing with 850 other youngsters. His was the biggest upset in the boys’ 16 and under singles when he surprised everyone including Jack Kaspers of Bloomfield Hills when he victoriously won 4-6, 6-2, 63. Considering these public park youth
players had no formal training or access to great coaches like their wealthier opponents they played back in the early 1970s-1980s
they made historic strides in the golden age of tennis. It was predicted by Pancho Segura in 1974 that “There’s no doubt that Black kids make fine athletes,”. “Pretty soon a Black kid with a killer serve and strong two-handed backstrokes is going to come along and nobody’s going to be able to stop him!” Maurice knew this and disciplined his mind, body and spirit to become the victories through faith and hard training like the “Rocky” movie.
He left words of wisdom for youths which I have that inspires courage: Play your heart out…you can do it! And the one I tell other’s the most to encourage them to train: Ranking never scared real tennis champions and legends…actually it was the other way around!
Sometimes…”Privilege Means Nothing!"
Maurice passed away on October 17, 2022.
No comments
Post a Comment