Covert students get visit from first pro black tennis player

On May 30, Bob Ryland, the first black professional tennis player, paid a very special visit to students at Covert Elementary School. During his visit students had the chance to participate in a Q&A. According to Covert teacher Melanie Rubin, fifth graders at Covert did research projects on athletes who have transcended their sport, and one student, Katie Ernst, researched Ryland. After the Q&A, Katie presented paper on Ryland.

“Interviewing the person I was researching made me feel special because he is so important,” Katie said. “Bob gave me some advice about my own tennis and my life. I took his advice very seriously because he is a legend and he’s gotten so far in his life.”

It was announced on June 4 that Ryland, who broke the color barrier and became the first black professional tennis player, will be the USPTA Eastern Division’s Hall of Fame inductee for 2013.