Dick Vitale hosts Lakewood Ranch tennis tournament

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Dick Vitale made his name sitting courtside, calling basketball games with his own audible flair, but this past weekend, his sixth annual Intercollegiate Clay Court tennis tournament is what had people buzzing.

Vitale invited some of the best Division I men and women's tennis players from schools like Minnesota, Duke, Florida, Notre Dame, Arizona, Tennessee and Oklahoma State to to compete in a three-day tournament to help raise money for pediatric cancer research.

"The area got treated to some high quality tennis this weekend," Vitale said. "It's first class all the way, I couldn't be more proud of how well it went."

The 76-year-old hall of fame ESPN announcer not only puts on the tournament at the Lakewood Ranch athletic center, but plays host to all the athletes and coaches at his home for dinner.

"I love young people, I get such great feedback from parents and coaches on the impact it makes on the kids, and that means so much to me," Vitale said. "I've been blessed over the years, so I want to give back all I can while I can, and being able to raise over $55,000 for cancer research this past weekend is nothing short of amazing baby! I also want to thank Larry Wade, who volunteered his time, helping us a great deal raising money."

Chris Marquez and Paul Lederman are both directors of the event, and it's something Chris had a vision for before it became such a success.

"I was sitting with University of Arizona head coach Tad Berkowitz and we just started talking about hosting something here in Lakewood Ranch," Marquez said. "With help from Paul, and of course, Dickie V, we've been able to turn this into one of the most exciting tennis tournaments in the fall. I've got coaches all over the country calling me wanting to be a part of it."

Marquez is a tennis pro at the Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club, and his involvement is something he says has been such a great opportunity and a blessing.

"Mr. Vitale has such a passion for young people and helping out with pedantic cancer research," Marquez said. "I love that I'm able to do what I love for a great cause while networking with amazing people."

On the final day of the event, University of Miami's Max Mathews won the men's singles championship, 6-4 6-4, over Minnesota's Reuben Weber; while Oklahoma State's Vladi Babic defeated Florida's Spencer Liang, 6-2 6-4, for the women's title.

Oliver Landert and Andreas Alfonzo, from FGCU, beat Michigan's Kevin Wong and Carter Lin in the men's doubles, 8-4, and the Gators' Brianna Morgan and Anna Danilina defeated Oklahoma State, 8-2.

The tournament also included local tennis sensation and 2015 Lakewood Ranch graduate Ashely Bongart, who attends the University of Tennessee.

"It's such an honor to be able to compete in this event," Bongart said. "I love the fact I was able to play in front of my friends and family."

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Dick Vitale hosts Lakewood Ranch tennis tournament ."