Honor Jon Messick
Donation protected
A group of avid tennis folks has been working for several months on a plan to honor and thank Jon Messick for his decades of selfless time and effort to the Northern Colorado tennis community. Jon has spent countless hours and gallons of sweat in providing court time, instruction, encouragement, resources, league and tournament management, and much more to adult and youth tennis players throughout Northern Colorado and beyond.
We are delighted to report that we have received official permission to place a permanent tennis sculpture and bronze plaque honoring Jon at the Rolland Moore Tennis Complex. The sculpture will sit on a granite shelf with granite backing alongside the plaque at the patio outside the tennis complex office.
The sculpture is a smaller version of the life size tennis-player sculptures created by Loveland sculptor and lifetime tennis player George Walbye that adorn the entrances of the Miramont/Genesis tennis facility in Fort Collins and the 12-court North Lake Park tennis complex in Loveland.
We are seeking contributions to cover the cost of the sculpture, plaque, granite, hardware and installation. Estimated total cost is $2,000-2,500. Any funds remaining after the Honor Jon Messick project is complete will be donated to USTA’s National Junior Tennis and Learning organization, Northern Colorado division. Please show your appreciation of all Jon’s time and efforts with a donation.
Below are photos of the sculpture, plaque and a partial Jon Messick tennis biography.
Jon Messick – Tennis Mentor
Jon Messick has championed tennis throughout Northern Colorado and beyond. He has introduced and supported tennis as a healthy, lifelong sport and recreation to hundreds of men, women and children.
* Throughout the past four decades, Jon Messick has provided his expertise, time and efforts to hundreds of United States Tennis Association team players of all levels in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Jon has provided untold hours organizing and providing court time, instruction and resources to community tennis players of all skill levels.
* During several decades, Jon has served as an officer and/or board member of the Fort Collins Tennis Association, the Colorado Tennis Association, the Intermountain Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association.
* Jon Messick has won numerous awards for his support of the sport, including the Colorado Tennis Association’s prestigious Bud Robineau Service Award and awards from the Colorado Wheelchair Tennis Association.
* In 2014, the ITA created the Jon Messick Leadership Award honoring regional tennis contributors
* The Debbie Boose Vision Award for 2016 was presented Jon Messick for his many years of outstanding contributions to this major charity fund-raising tournament.
* Jon has helped introduce tennis to youngsters in a variety of ways, including at the public schools, the Boys and Girls Club, at public courts, with CSU players, and beyond.
* He’s been the organizer, administrator, and supporter of local recreational-level tournaments for years, including annual charity tournaments such as the NoCo Open, Debbie Boose, CSU Open, Stop Hunger/Food Bank, Crossroads Safehouse, and others, helping organizations to raise substantial sums. Players come from all over the area, state and region to compete and enjoy those tournaments.
* Jon Messick served for thirty-one years as the head coach of CSU’s Division 1 intercollegiate NCAA men’s and women’s tennis teams.
* The graduation rates of the CSU tennis team athletes were among the highest for student athletes at CSU. The teams, as well as individual players, were recognized many times by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for high academic achievement.
* Prior to his full-time employment at CSU, Jon served as head professional and manager of the former Fort Collins Tennis Center, which at the time was the City’s only tennis facility featuring indoor and outdoor courts.
* Jon was a nationally ranked junior player, college-level champion, and teaching pro.
* Since retiring from CSU, Jon serves as a member of the board of directors of Colorado Tennis Umpires Association (CTUA). Jon continues his legacy of contributing above and beyond in any aspect of tennis he is involved in.
And don’t let Jon’s gray hair and gray mustache fool you. With his sly smile, he can still clean your clock on the court, new hip notwithstanding.
-----Please say “Thank You” to Jon with a contribution to this Honor Jon Messick fund.
We are delighted to report that we have received official permission to place a permanent tennis sculpture and bronze plaque honoring Jon at the Rolland Moore Tennis Complex. The sculpture will sit on a granite shelf with granite backing alongside the plaque at the patio outside the tennis complex office.
The sculpture is a smaller version of the life size tennis-player sculptures created by Loveland sculptor and lifetime tennis player George Walbye that adorn the entrances of the Miramont/Genesis tennis facility in Fort Collins and the 12-court North Lake Park tennis complex in Loveland.
We are seeking contributions to cover the cost of the sculpture, plaque, granite, hardware and installation. Estimated total cost is $2,000-2,500. Any funds remaining after the Honor Jon Messick project is complete will be donated to USTA’s National Junior Tennis and Learning organization, Northern Colorado division. Please show your appreciation of all Jon’s time and efforts with a donation.
Below are photos of the sculpture, plaque and a partial Jon Messick tennis biography.
Jon Messick – Tennis Mentor
Jon Messick has championed tennis throughout Northern Colorado and beyond. He has introduced and supported tennis as a healthy, lifelong sport and recreation to hundreds of men, women and children.
* Throughout the past four decades, Jon Messick has provided his expertise, time and efforts to hundreds of United States Tennis Association team players of all levels in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Jon has provided untold hours organizing and providing court time, instruction and resources to community tennis players of all skill levels.
* During several decades, Jon has served as an officer and/or board member of the Fort Collins Tennis Association, the Colorado Tennis Association, the Intermountain Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association.
* Jon Messick has won numerous awards for his support of the sport, including the Colorado Tennis Association’s prestigious Bud Robineau Service Award and awards from the Colorado Wheelchair Tennis Association.
* In 2014, the ITA created the Jon Messick Leadership Award honoring regional tennis contributors
* The Debbie Boose Vision Award for 2016 was presented Jon Messick for his many years of outstanding contributions to this major charity fund-raising tournament.
* Jon has helped introduce tennis to youngsters in a variety of ways, including at the public schools, the Boys and Girls Club, at public courts, with CSU players, and beyond.
* He’s been the organizer, administrator, and supporter of local recreational-level tournaments for years, including annual charity tournaments such as the NoCo Open, Debbie Boose, CSU Open, Stop Hunger/Food Bank, Crossroads Safehouse, and others, helping organizations to raise substantial sums. Players come from all over the area, state and region to compete and enjoy those tournaments.
* Jon Messick served for thirty-one years as the head coach of CSU’s Division 1 intercollegiate NCAA men’s and women’s tennis teams.
* The graduation rates of the CSU tennis team athletes were among the highest for student athletes at CSU. The teams, as well as individual players, were recognized many times by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for high academic achievement.
* Prior to his full-time employment at CSU, Jon served as head professional and manager of the former Fort Collins Tennis Center, which at the time was the City’s only tennis facility featuring indoor and outdoor courts.
* Jon was a nationally ranked junior player, college-level champion, and teaching pro.
* Since retiring from CSU, Jon serves as a member of the board of directors of Colorado Tennis Umpires Association (CTUA). Jon continues his legacy of contributing above and beyond in any aspect of tennis he is involved in.
And don’t let Jon’s gray hair and gray mustache fool you. With his sly smile, he can still clean your clock on the court, new hip notwithstanding.
-----Please say “Thank You” to Jon with a contribution to this Honor Jon Messick fund.
Organizer
Armelle Kesler
Organizer
Fort Collins, CO