Have you ever played at the tennis courts near Coconino High School? The courts, built in 2016, are in great shape, clean, and almost always are occupied by tennis players of all ages. If you are at the courts, you will notice new benches in the center of both courts offering shade and a place to rest. These were donated by the Flagstaff Tennis Association (FTA) last year. Other amenities include bleachers and benches to watch tennis, plus a covered pavilion for picnics and gatherings. You will also see a plague and sign designating “The Ron Hren Memorial Tennis Courts”.
On July 8th, 2020, these courts were dedicated and named for our friend Ron Hren. Ron was an avid tennis player that wanted to provide the residents of Flagstaff a unique, social, and community-minded forum for community involvement though many sports, including tennis.
His involvement in Flagstaff Tennis started in the Spring of 2002 when three retired engineers began playing tennis together encouraging any available player to join them. Thus, the three-times weekly, drop-in tennis program was started. The group elected to be more social and recreational than competitive. All players, residents, visitors, and their children were welcome. As the group size increased, the play was moved to the public courts adjacent to Coconino High School in 2017.
In addition to coordinating tennis, Ron performed much of the required court maintenance himself, arranged for the group to do the work, and coordinated maintenance with the City Parks and Recreational Department. This entailed such tasks as windscreen repair, net adjustments, fence door adjustments, pest removal and general court clean-up, etc. Ron continued this routine, never asking for compensation or acknowledgement, up until his sudden untimely death in 2020.
At this time Ron was involved with the Flagstaff Tennis Association (FTA) serving as a board member demonstrating his desire for growth of tennis in the Flagstaff community. He would volunteer to coach youth tennis clinics, make financial contributions for youth tennis scholarships, and was the always available outlet for city tennis players of all skill levels to enjoy organized tennis in the area.
Ron Hren was a community organizer in Flagstaff, who created a unique, social and community-minded tennis environment that touched many through the sport. He also volunteered countless hours with community organizations such as the Flagstaff Arboretum, Grand Canyon clean ups, and Toys for Tots. Ron created a very special portal to help many community members, including the teaching youth the lifetime sport of tennis, while at times leading a group of over 60 tennis players with the Flagstaff Tennis Association.
His abiding leadership, compassion, coordination and service to provide a better, friendlier and more inclusive community stand as examples to us all. The only things more important than tennis in this life were his kids, his family and friends. This world was a better place because of Ron Hren. He will be missed!
