Houston Chronicle - April 23, 2008

TENNIS NOTEBOOK
Bryans make impact on team
By DALE ROBERTSON Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
April 23, 2008, 11:47PM

A commitment to a good cause kept the world's top-ranked doubles team from playing in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships at River Oaks last week, and nobody was sadder about the Bryan brothers' absence from the draw than the tennis team at Smiley High School.
But 11 Smiley kids at least got to see half of their heroes, and they took in a James Blake match, too, courtesy of tournament director Van Barry. Bob Bryan stopped by the club Thursday to have a hit and say hello en route to a benefit he and his twin, Mike, were doing on behalf of a Hurricane Rita-wrecked Lake Charles, La., tennis club.
"We were disappointed," said Smiley coach Loretta Hrncir, "but they're great humanitarians. They were doing something for a good cause."
Hrncir speaks from experience when she talks about the many kindnesses of the Bryan family, starting with their father, Wayne. Her connection with him goes back to a coaching clinic at Newk's she attended about a decade ago. Wayne asked the coaches in the audience to make their best pitch why their players could use a new racket, and Hrncir was among five recipients of his subsequent largess.
However, she was the only one who sent Bryan a thank-you note. The player who received the racket, Willie Thompson, wrote one, too. Not long thereafter, Smiley's players all had new rackets, thanks to Wayne. Rackets, shoes and clothing have kept coming ever since.
"That's just how I was raised," said Hrncir, who played tennis for Davis High School in the 1960s and has been coaching in the North Forest School District for 34 years, the last 24 at Smiley.
As you can imagine, tennis isn't a high priority in that financially strapped district.
"I'm the only coach I know who has to mow the tennis courts," jokes Nrncir, adding that they're supposed to be hard courts, not grass.
Hrncir, married to a longtime educator (husband Robert teaches English at Klein Forest) and the mother of three with seven grandchildren, turned 60 this week, but she has told her players, "I'll hang around for a couple more years."
Her birthday came early last November when Wayne invited her and two players of her choosing to attend the U.S.-Russia Davis Cup final in Portland, Ore., as his guest.
"This is my life, my calling," she says, explaining her loyalty to Smiley. "Because of the kids and Wayne Bryan's family, it's been a great ride. Almost none of my players have touched a racket before they get to ninth grade, but I feel like I can really make a difference here."
Two of her recent players have earned full scholarships. As for the rest, "the Bryans have helped all of them to have higher expectations for themselves," Hrncir said. "They've been so good to us."
And vice versa, Wayne insists.
"They've got a banner out at the school that says, 'Smiley High supports the Bryans and is supported by the Bryans,' " he said. "I can't tell you how much that means to me and the boys. As for Loretta, I've never seen a coach who inspires kids the way she does."

Who we are

Welcome to the North Forest High School tennis program in Houston, Texas.

I am Coach Loretta A. Hrncir and my love for tennis started in the 60’s a Jeff Davis High School. As a teacher and coach for thirty eight years, I know that this is my life calling and I make a difference at North Forest High School. Due to the players and the Wayne Bryan family, it’s been a great ride. Attending the Davis Cup in 2007 was amazing. We are very blessed to have this family host our next adventure to the Davis Cup in Birmingham against Switzerland. The Bryans are great humanitarians.

Tennis is not a high priority in North Forest Independent School District. We are a financially strapped district that has deplorable tennis courts and few funds to expand. For more than nine years, the Wayne Bryan Family has played a key role in helping the North Forest High School Tennis Team by sending much needed rackets, clothes, shoes, wind screens and Wilson Tennis bags to the players. Bob, Mike & Wayne Bryan have given my team lessons and met with the team each time that they come into town. The Bryans have been our mentors and we have always supported them on and off the court. Tournaments at River Oaks and Westside opened up a new world to our inner city players, who had never been to a professional tennis tournament.

The Wayne Bryan Family’s commitment to our tennis program for the last nine years has allowed us to step out of the box and reach attainable goals. Their generosity, not only to the physical needs but also, to mental and psychological well being of our students cannot be measured. The workshops & opportunities to support the number one Tennis Doubles Team in the World at Westside and River Oaks Tennis Centers have given us insight that few others have experienced on the high school level. Tennis is a passion with North Forest High—We strive to meet realistic goals and make this family proud of us. We are always introduced at every stadium as the Adopted School of the Wayne Bryan Family. They inspire us to have higher expectations.

Coming Soon!!!

Follow the adventures of the North Forest High School tennis team!