The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA New YMCA Steering Committee and its New Y Tennis Center “Our Serve” Support Committee announced the program for the Luke and Murphy Jensen Exhibition. This exhibition will be played beginning at 1:00 pm, Sunday, November 6 at the Y Main Facility on 3000 Racquet Club Drive in Traverse City. The Y is located just south of Airport Road behind the Logan’s Landing office complex.From Ludington, Michigan, ambidextrous “Dual Hand Luke” and younger brother Murphy Jensen brought new life to professional tennis in the 1990s with their famous chest-butts, high-fives, and rock-n-roll style. Together they won 4 professional doubles titles, including the 1993 French Open Championship, just six months into their professional careers. Luke Jensen is currently the women’s tennis coach at Syracuse University while Murphy hosts the Tennis Channel’s “Open Access” and “Murphy’s Guide”, in additional to his coaching duties with the Washington Kastles of World Team Tennis.
Playing them at the Exhibition will be Jerry Linenger and Doug Mirabelli. Linenger, local YMCA member and born in Michigan, is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, holds two masters degrees, an MD and a PhD, and research. He is widely known as a former NASA Astronaut both on the Shuttle and spent 132 days on space station Mir as a scientist. Linenger has logged approximately 50 million miles and more than 200 orbits of Earth. He is a nationally known motivational speaker, philanthropist, and lives with his family in Suttons Bay.
Doug Mirabelli, local YMCA member, was a professional baseball player and was a 2004 & 2007 World Series Champion with the Boston Red Socks. Mirabelli was a major league catcher and played with the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Red Soxs, and the San Diago Padres. He was a .231 hitter with 58 home runs and 206 RBIs in 566 games. He was well-known as the personal catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. He and his family lives in the Traverse City area and he is further known for his coaching and philanthropy. He is a realtor specializing in residential and commercial property.The Jensens will also face off with the Y’s own top two 10 year old & under ranked players in the Midwest, Elliott Bandrowski (USTA Midwest 10s ranked #6) and CJ Shoults (USTA Midwest 10s ranked #5).
Lastly, the Jensens will play part of the tennis dynasty at the Y and ITF tennis pros and teachers, Joseph and James Van Deinse.
Earlier in the day there will be tennis clinics for both adults (starting at 11:30 am) and youth (starting at 12 noon).
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the New YMCA Tennis Center that will be built on Silver Lake Road. “We have an outstanding $2 million challenge gift depending on the Campaign Steering Committee to complete the Campaign by the end of the year,” according to Henry Peet, campaign chairperson. “The board changed its plan to make the Tennis Center a part of the first phase of construction. We are relying on the regional tennis community to step up with their donations and make this a reality.”
Tickets are still available by calling the Y at 231-933-9622. Donations to the Tennis Center can be made on-line at www.4good4ever.org
