Winning One for Ken . . .

By Pat Greenhaw

(NOTE: Independence is a community of approximately 10,000 located in southeast Kansas. Independence High School had a 2006-07 enrollment of approximately 625 students in grades 9-12.)

There's more to high school athletics than
a championship season . . .

The Independence High School boys tennis program has been led for many years by Ken Brown, a Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Rule 10 coach who is well known and respected throughout the four-state region and the U.S. Tennis Association for his commitment to recreational and competitive tennis involving players of all ages.

He has also directed the youth summer tennis program for the Independence City Recreation Commission for many years and was recently named 2006 Kansas Tennis Coach of the Year by the Kansas Coaches Association.

Known to his players as "Ken," he retired from his "real job" in May 2006 after teaching political science at Independence Community College for 40 years. Fortunately for Independence tennis fans and players, he says he plans to continue his IHS Bulldogs tennis coaching career for years to come.
Brown, who has been a good and supportive friend to all five of this year's state tennis qualifiers since he first showed them how to hold tennis rackets in early grade school, couldn't be there when they walked onto the state tournament stage May 11 and 12 at Topeka Hayden High School, to defend the program's 2006 Class 4A state tennis title.

And, he wasn't able to be there when all five received individual medals for their top-10 finishes that included first place in doubles (Andrew Posch and Dan Porter), second place in singles (Zach Willis), and sixth place in doubles (Adam Greenhaw and Sam Schroeder).

But "his boys" -- as he affectionately calls them -- wanted Brown to "enjoy the moment" with them when they and assistant coach Gina McLenon accepted the first-place team trophy as the 2007 KSHSAA boys state tennis tournament champions.

After all, Brown's motto for his tennis teams has always been, "Expect the best, work the hardest, and enjoy the moment!"

You see, the IHS tennis coach didn't accompany his squad to the state tournament as planned because his 35-year-old daughter, Yona Julian, had developed health complications the evening before.

With her husband Brent at her side, Yona is currently undergoing cancer treatment at the University of Kansas Medical Center. A standout high school athlete herself, she was diagnosed with stage-four lymphoma in May 2006, just days after Ken had retired from the college classroom and he and "his boys" had won their first 4A state tennis championship.

Following the diagnosis, Brown and his family rescheduled their lives to include dozens of trips to Kansas City and caring for their daughter's four young children who range from one to 13 years of age.
This is where the story of a coach and the respect of his team becomes something rather special amid the recorded statistics and embellished tales of high school athletics.

At the request of Brown's Bulldogs tennis players, and with the whole-hearted support of assistant coach McLenon, the team received the permission of parents and district officials to take a detour home to southeast Kansas through Kansas City. With several cars of parents and family members accompanying their school van, the team traveled (more than an hour east) to KU Medical Center immediately following the awards ceremony, where they intended to surprise Brown with the trophy.

Through secret advance arrangements and at a coordinated time, Brown was sent on an errand to the parking garage via the hospital lobby entrance. A group of nearly 30 tennis players, parents, friends and family members were on hand in the lobby when Brown stepped off the elevator to see his 2007 4A state tennis champion Bulldogs squad, clad in their bright orange team shirts, holding the state championship trophy.


McLenon presented him with a state tournament T-shirt and bracket sheets detailing the final scores of all the tournament matches. Brown's players had also autographed a tournament tennis ball for him that proclaimed the Bulldogs were the 2007 state tennis champs.

After hugs for each of his players and McLenon and after he'd expressed his grateful appreciation to those gathered amidst a few tears and video cameras, Brown said, "Okay, now let's talk tennis!"
With a grin ear to ear and the love of a coach who truly respects his players and their game, he then sat down with his team to hear their stories of the tournament and get a first-hand replay of crucial points and game counts.

"It was emotional for all of us," said one tennis player.

"Ken Brown is the heart and soul of Bulldogs tennis and we wanted him to know that he was a huge part of our success this season and especially this weekend."

Even though he couldn't be there with his team in Topeka, Brown was checking in by telephone to get scores and encourage his players. He was still coaching his Bulldogs to a state tennis championship . . . and they knew he was with them every stroke of the way.

Following the team's hospital visit, Brown remained at KU Medical Center with his wife, Becky, where they are cheering on their daughter and her husband as they all face the biggest and toughest match of their lives.

Pat Greenhaw is the public information officer for the Independence (Kansas) Unified School District No. 446. Greenhaw can be reached at pgreenhaw@indyschools.com.