Mark West gets ready to serve the ball Sunday afternoon in the final of the “The Great” Brian Ferguson Memorial Tennis Challenge at Lansing Catholic Central High School. The proceeds from this second annual match go to the American Cancer Society to honor Brian Ferguson.
The heavy storms that rampaged through Michigan weren’t enough to stop dedicated tennis players from taking the court this weekend.
About 50 people took part in the Second Annual “The Great” Brian Ferguson Memorial Tennis Challenge at Lansing Catholic Central High School, 501 Marshall St., on Saturday and Sunday. A rain delay pushed the Saturday start time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The tennis tournament was held in honor of Brian Ferguson, who died of liver cancer in 2005.
Ferguson was a local sports star and younger brother of MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson.
All the event’s proceeds benefited the American Cancer Society.
While family and friends came to play tennis, they also came to remember their brother and friend.
“He always had words of advice for younger (tennis) players,” said Ron Landfair, head tennis coach at Lansing Catholic Central. “Brian loved life and this is a celebration of that.”
Ferguson’s name is synonymous with Lansing area sports. A three-year member of the J.W. Sexton High School varsity basketball team, he was part of two Big Reds teams that won back-to-back Class A state titles in 1959 and 1960.
Ferguson also was inducted into the Greater Lansing area Sports Hall of Fame in 1976. He was also a volunteer coach of youth softball, tennis and basketball teams for many years.
“He did it out of the kindness of his heart and this is a good way to honor him,” said Ron DeLeon, who organized the event and was a friend of Ferguson’s for many years.
The players participated in nine different divisions and raised about $2,000. Each winner and runner-up received a trophy.
“There were lots of people who knew (Ferguson), but couldn’t play, but still paid the $20 for the T-shirt and to support the cause,” said DeLeon.
The tournament drew a variety of people, from the casual tennis player to those who had family members affected by cancer. Joe Freidhoff of Lansing lost his father to cancer shortly before last year’s tournament and was eager to play again this year.
“I think he appreciates the tournament and the cause,” said Freidhoff’s wife, Laura Freidhoff. “He liked that the entry was going towards donations of a good cause.”
With a good turnout and the dedication of the community, members of Ferguson’s family were impressed with the success of the event.
“It’s just incredible what they’ve done for my brother. I was very impressed and everyone worked hard,” Joel Ferguson said.
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