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Senior chemistry major Asuka Nakano prepares to serve against tennis partner Sid Jayanna of Charleston Tuesday morning at the Darling Courts. (Robbie Wroblewski/The Daily Eastern News)

Residents make use of Darling courts

By: Bob Bajek/Sports Reporter

Posted: 7/17/08

The sounds of squeaking sneakers, friendly banter and rackets popping balls echo from the tennis courts by O'Brien Stadium early Sunday mornings.

The people manufacturing the sounds aren't Eastern tennis athletes honing their skills. They belong to community members or students who enjoy playing pick up tennis.

Sparing partners Thomas Sawyer of Mattoon and Ron Easter of Charleston visit the campus tennis courts to continue participating in the game they love.

Sawyer, 59, began playing tennis 40 years ago because of his brother Dan's involvement with the game. Thomas Sawyer started playing with Easter, 54, a few years ago.

Easter is an alumnus of Eastern from the mid 1970s who played on the tennis team. He said that the courts by O'Brien Stadium didn't exist when he was a player.

"I played at the courts by Coleman Hall and Weller where the clock tower is," Easter said.

The courts Easter played at were converted into a parking lot during the 2000-2001 academic year.

Easter plays every year with Sawyer in the EIU Tennis Alumni Fundraiser. Easter said that it helps him relive his competitive days.

Easter has had knee surgeries the last few years and said it has affected his game.

"I can still hit over 100 miles per hour but I can't cover the court like I used to," Easter said.

Sawyer describes his rivalry with Easter as friendly, but bets are placed if his comrade is playing "well enough."

"It usually involves food," Sawyer said.

Sawyer won both sets, though Easter had an impressive behind the back volley for a point in the second match.

Eastern students and Charleston residents Sid Jayanna and Asuka Nakano also like to play mornings and evenings during weekends or even weekdays at the courts.

Jayanna, an MBA student, said he started playing the game a few years ago for self-improvement.

He said most of his knowledge comes from reading tennis books and watching professionals on television.

Jayanna said he finds the courts next to O'Brien Stadium to be the best in town and removed from noise. He also likes having water and rest room facilities near by.

His partner Nakano actually played on a collegiate team. Nakano, a senior chemistry major, competed on the Greenville College tennis team a year ago.

"I (stopped) because it's hard to keep balance with studying," Nakano said.

Both Jayanna and Nakano practice tennis for exercise and enjoyment. During their match, they played without keeping score.

For the Eastern tennis team, the courts are a stage for battle and scholarship worthy efforts. But in the summer mornings, the courts are used for leisure fun and revisiting old memories.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7944 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.