Courts named in honor of Russell’s Tom Anderson

LAKEWOOD, N.Y. — When Tom Anderson was 18, he entered the Jamestown City Tennis Tournament at the facility now known as the Lakewood YMCA.

“They didn’t like me,” he said of his competition. “I wore cut-off shorts, tube socks that didn’t match and high-top Converse.”

By tourney’s end, though, Anderson left with titles in the men’s and boys divisions.

A star was born.

Fast-forward 44 years, and the figurative star of the Russell resident and branch manager of the Lakewood Y for 30 years, has never been brighter. That’s due to the efforts of the local tennis community, which has named the indoor courts on Fairmount Avenue in his honor. The announcement was made Wednesday night.

“You have driven programs, you have started programs and you’ve raised money for this place right from your heart,” Holly Sullivan said to Anderson in a ceremony at the Lakewood Y. “You are so important to this place that we wanted to make sure we remember you forever. So, in your honor, these courts are going to be named ‘Tom’s Tennis Courts.’ From this day forward, these will always be known as your courts. You are so deserving. You have made this place better and brighter.”

“I was bamboozled,” said the 62-year-old Anderson, who had no idea the surprise was coming. “It’s such an honor, because when the place opened in 1974 (as the Billie Jean King Tennis Center), I was just starting to get into tennis. (My family) couldn’t afford the court fees, so we got jobs there, picking up balls and changing lights. … And how many years later, it’s ‘Tom’s Tennis Courts?’ I thought they meant Tom Marra.”

Marra, a former Lakewood resident and longtime Anderson friend, made a generous financial donation earlier this year so that the facility, which also features soccer, a fitness center and gymnastics, could be renovated.

“I’ll put our facility against Pittsburgh, Rochester and Buffalo,” Anderson said. ” … To have my name on it forever, it’s a big honor.”

In addition to remarks by Sullivan, who along with Terry Turner and Sara Demink, was a renovations committee member, there were also a handful of video tributes to Anderson, including one from his mom, Nancy.

Oh, my goodness, what an honor,” she said. “… I’m very proud of Tom.”

It’s apparent that many people feel the same way.

In fact, a plaque that includes a photo of a smiling Anderson reads:

“Dedicated in recognition of Tom Anderson’s many years of dedicated leadership to the Lakewood YMCA.

“Tom’s unbounded energy, tenacious attitude and love for creating a fun and safe environment for adults and children alike, will long be remembered. ‘Best Forehand in the Land.’

“December 9, 2020.”