Our Story
Young SPUT players in the 1990's

Saint Paul Urban Tennis

Empowering Youth, One Swing at a Time

Saint Paul Urban Tennis (SPUT) is a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of youth in underserved communities of St. Paul since 1991. By providing accessible tennis programs, academic support, and leadership development, SPUT creates opportunities for young people to build confidence, develop critical life skills, and pursue their potential both on and off the court.

Our Journey From Humble Beginnings to a Bright Future

The Birth of a Vision (1991)

In 1991, a small group of dedicated tennis enthusiasts and community leaders came together with a powerful vision: to bring the transformative power of tennis to underserved youth in Saint Paul. With support from Northwest Tennis Patrons, Saint Paul Urban Tennis (SPUT) was born under the leadership of John King, Fred King, Sandy Martin, and a team of passionate volunteers.



Starting with just 125 youth at three sites - The Bucky Olson Courts at Saint Paul Central, El Rio Vista, and Dayton's Bluff - SPUT focused on diverse areas with low-income households where opportunities for youth were scarce. Little did they know that this modest beginning would grow into a movement that would touch thousands of lives.

Building Character On and Off the Court (1992)

A pivotal moment came in 1992 when Ernie Greene, a longtime community leader and tennis coach, joined the SPUT family. Merging the Martin Luther King Tennis Buffs with SPUT, Ernie brought more than just additional participants and funding - he instilled the core values of character and service that continue to define our organization today.

Expanding Our Reach (1997-2006)

As word spread about SPUT's impactful programs, our reach grew exponentially. In 1997, we established the Ernie Greene Scholarship Fund, investing in young leaders pursuing higher education. By 2006, our summer programming hit a record-breaking 3,000 youth participants, with 75 youth coaches at 27 sites across Saint Paul.

Nurturing Leaders for Tomorrow (2012-2018)

Recognizing the need for year-round development, we launched the Warrior Leadership Academy in 2012, providing indoor winter training and competition alongside crucial leadership and life development workshops. In 2013, we formalized our commitment to character building by embedding the SPUT S.P.I.R.I.T. (Service, Perseverance, Integrity, Responsibility, Imagination, Teamwork) curriculum into all our programs.

A New Home and New Horizons (2017-2020)

In 2017, we moved our headquarters to Eastview Recreation Center on the diverse east side of Saint Paul, deepening our roots in the community. This move sparked new initiatives:

  • The Employment PLUS program (2018), pairing high school students with career mentors and providing workplace experiences.
  • Academic Creative Engagement (ACE) camps (2018), combining tennis with off-court math, science, reading, and creative writing activities.
  • Construction of 5 additional tennis courts at Eastview Recreation Center (2020), expanding our capacity to serve more youth.

SPUT Today: A Bright Future

Recognizing the need for year-round development, we launched the Warrior Leadership Academy in 2012, providing indoor winter training and competition alongside crucial leadership and life development workshops. In 2013, we formalized our commitment to character building by embedding the SPUT S.P.I.R.I.T. (Service, Perseverance, Integrity, Responsibility, Imagination, Teamwork) curriculum into all our programs.

warrior leadership academy

Our Core Values

As we continue to grow, we remain true to the values that have guided us from the start:

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Join Our Mission

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of our community to continue our mission. Your support helps us provide high-quality youth programming to kids across Saint Paul, regardless of zip code or income.


Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders, one swing at a time.

Donate to Support SPUT Kids!
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