About Us
Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center is a non-profit organization run by a small group of people-staff and volunteers-who love the game of tennis and love working with kids. The Center was built from a vision that Fred Wells had. His vision was to create a place not just for community tennis, but a place that would be filled with kids-the next citizens of our community.
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1995-1998
- Wells Family Foundation Trust contributes to the USTA Northern Section
- Multicultural Tennis Program, planting the first seeds of collaboration on the vision
2001
- Phase I: Launching an environment with the mission of empowering youth to reach their potential in school and life through tennis and education
- Building site is leased from the City of Minneapolis, Park and Recreation Board and a capital campaign raises $5,000,000 for a state of the art public facility called the Fort Snelling Tennis and Learning Center.
2002
Fort Snelling Tennis and Learning Center opens its doors with affordable public access, a junior tennis program for youth ages 5-18, and special rates for players over 50. Also, youth and community programs are offered in collaboration with the USTA Northern Section, the Trent Tucker Nonprofit Organization and several other educational and community organizations.
2003
First Education/Development Director is hired to develop community outreach tennis, education and life skills programs for at-risk kids from urban schools and to secure funding to support them.
2004
Tennis & Technology program (eventually renamed Citizens of the Court) welcomes its first students (ages 8-10). Transportation concerns are resolved by sending in the Big Blue Bus thanks to US Bank.
2005
Girls,Tennis & More program (eventually renamed Girls Squad) for ages 10-18 gives middle school girls a special place to work on making good choices for a healthy lifestyle and a bright future. Tennis & Fitness Camp for ages 9-14 builds on after-school program.
2006
Change in leadership and move into Phase II:
- Merger of all operations into one nonprofit organization-a community tennis facility serving tennis players of all ages and encouraging students at-risk in urban schools to develop tennis, academic, and life skills.
- Building of the organization’s infrastructure through increased staffing, and expansion of the founding Board of Directors for broader community representation and perspectives.
- Emphasis on being a youth development nonprofit – following the “whole child” philosophy to build youth tennis players and providing a safe, healthy environment for all youth.
2007
Five-year anniversary marked by a name change to the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC) and an emphasis on continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.
2010
Marks success of Phase II, including:
- Construction of an 8th tennis court “under the bubble” for additional income and program capacity.
- Tennis & Technology renamed Citizens of the Court (C²) to reflect the focus and students in this after-school program.
- Addition of two new Education Programs; Wells Academy for students from Camp and C² with an interest in developing more tennis and education skills. Also, Boys Leadership Team (BLT) for middle school boys.
- Graduation of our students in Jr Program and Girls Squad and into college, some with academic and tennis scholarships.
- Growth in Jr. Program and Education Programs-number of students served and refinement of program and staffing details according to the philosophy being ” mission driven and business smart”
- Tennis2College program still being developed to serve students moving through our tennis & education pipeline from 3rd grade through high school.
- Enhanced outreach to families through well-established school and community partnerships.
- Vigorous fundraising to diversify income base.
- Board of Directors grows, with three new members to more broadly represent the community.
- Public confidence in the FWTEC vision is demonstrated by a wide range of funders, including major grants from the McKnight Foundation, USTA, and the Wells Family Foundation Trust.
- Awards from the USTA Northern Section to staff ( Marc Stingley and Judy Long), programs and the organization (Organization of the year and NJTL of the Year)
September 2010
Marks the beginning of Phase III:
- Focus on refining programs and services as a premier public tennis facility and youth development nonprofit.
- Maximizing earned income potential to build the nonprofit’s long term sustainability
- Strengthening our brand identification in the community
