Dave Evans has touched many area residents in a big way. Known affectionately as Mr. Energy, the Willowbrook resident just celebrated his 25th anniversary with the tennis department of the Western Springs Recreation Department. For the past quarter-century, Evans, a United States Tennis Association pro, has taught kids, teens and adults tennis during the summer season.

Tracy Alden, executive director of the Western Springs Recreation Department, said that about 150 people attended a celebration in honor of Evans on July 30 at Spring Rock Park. With food and games on hand, people of multiple generations “milled around reminiscing.” A formal presentation involved people sharing their stories and bestowing gifts on their beloved “Coach Dave.”

“The main thing was to recognize him. Old staff members came back, some of whom now have children in the program,” Alden said. “It’s the circle-of-life thing in a sense. People came back to thank him for his years of teaching tennis and for his love of tennis, and thanking him for how that’s infected other people.”

Alden recalled: “Someone said that Dave is like the Pied Piper of tennis. It was poignant because in the front row was the next generation. Kids between the ages of 8 to 13. Everyone looked at them and thought, ‘it just keeps on going.’ He has a really loyal following. People also talked about how well Western Springs has done with tennis.”

It was fitting that during the celebration, residents learned that Western Springs had just won a majority of division competitions in the Trident Tennis League, a summer league involving different programs from the area.

“Western Springs won the league. Dave said we won something like 16 out of 22 divisions. Something like that, and definitely a majority of the categories,” Alden said.

While he has no actual numbers he can state with confidence, Alden said that Evans has taught thousands of kids and adults during his tenure in Western Springs. Furthermore, Evans teaches at Oak Brook Racquet and Fitness in Westmont during the winter months.

“We are lucky to have him,” Alden said, describing Evans as “energetic and enthusiastic.”
He also is exceedingly humble. He was apprehensive about having the celebration and reluctant to be recognized.

As people praised him, Alden said, Evans “listened and reacted and took it all in. He was there and appreciated all of the compliments and having all of his friends and colleagues there. And then he left. It took him awhile to get there in the first place. He was on the courts picking up balls when it started. He stayed for about 45 minutes. After the official stuff ended he mingled and then he just sort of disappeared into the shadows.”

Congratulations to Coach Dave, and here’s to another 25 great years!

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