I've been to a Final Four, the NBA Play offs, baseball's post season and a few other sports championship-type events, but if there's one big sports event that's truly on my "bucket list" it's the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
Why is the U.S. Open so high on my wish list? Simple. It's one of the oldest tennis championships in the world, and the fourth and final Grand Slam. Held over two-weeks before and after Labor Day, the weather and activity in and around Flushing Meadows, New York City is usually amazing - so, it's a great time to be in NYC. Add the fact that Roger Federer is going for a sixth straight title this year and you have the makings of an amazing sports experience.
I doubt, though, that a U.S. Open trip will make the family budget this year. But, an OnMilwaueke.com partner, Elite Fitness and Racquet Clubs, is giving you the chance to go. Here's the catch, you gotta try out to be a ball boy or girl.
Tryouts take place Saturday, May 2 at the Highlander Elite Club, 13825 W. Burleigh Road in Brookfield between noon-3 p.m. The contest, that has a $2,500 prize value, is open to all ages, and there's a brief essay portion too. Criteria will include speed and coordination, strong throwing and catching, attentiveness and positive attitude.
To qualify to be selected for the New York tryouts, the winner must be available to travel to New York June 25-27, 2009 for the tryouts and again in mid-July 2009 (date still TBD) for a second tryout, as well as to work, if selected, for qualifying tournament of the U.S. Open - August 25-28, 2009 and again, if selected, to work for the U.S. Open Main Draw Tournament from August 31-September 13, 2009.
Think you can get to the U.S. Open before me? Try out at the Highlander next weekend. Applications are here.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
