Keeping kids on the courts, not in them: A coach's mission comes full circle

Yahoo

13-06-2025

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- In Midland, a new kind of tennis program is taking shape: one built not just on rackets and courts, but on purpose, inclusion, and second chances. It's a belief Tim Stallard has carried with him since he was a kid, that tennis can be more than a game.
Long before he was a coach, director, or community leader, Stallard was just a teenager who found his footing on a tennis court. 'I had a wonderful coach growing up, Pat Wicks, who believed in me,' Stallard said. 'He didn't just teach tennis. He gave me a roadmap for life.'
Now, after more than a decade shaping lives at the Bush Tennis Center, Stallard is stepping into a new role with a familiar mission: expanding access to sport, mentorship, and opportunity for kids across West Texas.
Stallard has been named the first Executive Director of the RacFit Foundation, a nonprofit tied to a new state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball facility planned for The Preserve in Midland, set to open in 2027. The project will feature six indoor tennis courts, six outdoor pickleball courts, and four padel courts, but Stallard is quick to say it's about much more than infrastructure.
'The goal is to make healthier communities,' he said. 'We're focused on creating opportunities for kids and families to have access to facilities, exercise, nutrition, and just a better quality of life.'
Through the RacFit Foundation's Scarborough Wicks ACE Outreach Program, Stallard plans to continue the legacy he helped build at Bush, one centered on inclusion, not income.
'In the decade that I was at Bush, we didn't have one kid that walked through the doors that didn't get support,' Stallard said. 'If they needed a half scholarship or a full one, we found a way. That's what we're going to keep doing.'
The new facility, located just north of the Hwy 158 and Hwy 191 interchange, is designed to serve not just athletes, but entire families. Beyond courts and classes, it will offer locker rooms, childcare, a café, and a lounge space, aiming to be a hub for movement, connection, and healing.
It's a bold expansion that Stallard says the region is ready for.
'We've lost so many days to wind and heat,' he said. 'This facility will allow UTPB and others to host matches year-round, and more importantly, give kids a consistent place to play, learn, and grow.'
One example of that mission is already underway: Stallard's Nike Tennis Camp, hosted this week at Midland College, brought in more than 40 young players and a staff of experienced coaches. The camp sold out months in advance.
'Tennis is a great educator,' he said. 'There's no shot clock. You can't run out the clock. You have to finish what you start.'
He believes the lessons kids learn on the court, including accountability, independence, and resilience, often translate into better outcomes off the court. And it's that philosophy that continues to guide his work.
'We want to keep kids on the courts and out of the courts,' he said, quoting a mantra from his years at Bush. 'That's still our biggest mission.'
Stallard's personal journey from being a student-athlete whose family moved frequently, to earning a college scholarship, to coaching at the University of Texas, gives him a unique perspective on what sports can offer.
And he isn't just bringing national experience to West Texas. He's keeping local traditions alive.
The Pat Green Best of the West Challenge, a community fundraising event Stallard has long supported, will now be run through the RacFit Foundation. This year's concert and multi-day event will take place on September 13 at The Tailgate in Midland, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits.
'Community is everything,' Stallard said. 'Whether it's a concert, a camp, or a court, we're building places where kids can believe in themselves. That's the legacy I want to leave.'
As RacFit breaks ground on its vision for Midland, Stallard isn't just leading a foundation; he's laying the groundwork for generations of kids to find their place, just like he once did. One court, one camp, one kid at a time…That's how he plans to serve West Texas.
Want to see the full story in action?Be sure to watch Gabriella Meza's exclusive report on Tim Stallard and the RacFit Foundation, featuring interviews, community impact, and what's ahead for Midland's newest indoor tennis facility. You can find the full story in the video player above.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.