By John Davis
Community Relations Director
It’s not often that a young athlete living in Mississippi choses tennis over football. But in the case of Russell Moorman, once he started playing tennis, football, baseball and all the other sports he’s participated in, took a backseat.
“I remember when my brother and I were playing football in Shannon and he started playing tennis, so I decided to join him,” Moorman said. “My coaches wanted me to keep playing football and not play tennis, but I wanted to stick with it. I loved tennis and wanted to be out there. I wasn’t successful right away. That’s partly due to being a little unfit and out of shape. But tennis ended up making me the most fit of all the sports I played.”
The transformation from football to tennis started 9 years ago for Moorman, who then continued to build on his success by continuing his high school career at Pontotoc and then at Itawamba Community College for 3 years. Moorman said he learned a lot from a number of the international players he had as teammates along the way, and when he was done at ICC, he started instructing at various camps all over North Mississippi, including the past 2 years at Mississippi State’s summer camp.
“I have passion for tennis. I have a passion for the young kids and getting them out here and giving them something to look forward to,” Moorman said as to why he became an instructor. “I admire the competition and how they are always striving and reaching their goals.”
While Moorman may be new to the Oxford Park Commission list of tennis instructors, he isn’t new to the John Leslie Courts. Moorman played on the courts during his high school career and continued to play here during his college days.
“It’s just a different feel here in Oxford,” Moorman said. “It was always a different atmosphere. You get out here and your adrenaline is going and you’re ready to play. You see people out here on the courts, going out to play singles, doubles and it’s not just for one hour, it’s multiple hours. Tennis is just different here in Oxford.”
Moorman used the words enthusiastic and energy when describing how his tennis classes would be. His passion for the game is clear in the way he talks about tennis, and what it has done for him. He will be instructing ages 6 to 16 and all three levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Visit www.oxfordparkcommission.com/currentlyregistering to see his available times and dates.