Code of the Courts

Well-traveled Comets tennis coach giving summer lessons

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Among the toughest tasks in the world.

Wardrobe shopping for Lady Gaga.

Being Donald Trump’s barber.

Trying to get Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe to sign a “Code of Conduct” contract.

Charles City girls tennis coach Brian Parrott was graced with the opportunity to attempt the third while he was the Davis Cup’s tournament staging director in 1985 and spokesman for Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, which sponsored the U.S. Davis Cup team.

“It was something (L-P Corp. CEO) Harry Merlo was adamant about, especially if his company’s name was going to be associated with the team,” Parrott said. “Connors had just said some nasty things (about the United States Tennis Association) while at the Davis Cup in Sweden, and McEnroe had attracted a lot of negative press while at Wimbledon.

“It wasn’t like we were trying to control what they did away from tennis, but while representing this country we thought they should act more appropriately.”

Parrott, Merlo and all those associated with drafting the “Code of Conduct” took a lot of heat when Connors and McEnroe promptly refused to sign the contract and dropped off the U.S. Davis Cup team.

“They were the top two players in the world at the time,” Parrott said of U.S. men’s tennis’s last heyday of popularity and dominance.

Earlier, Parrott had worked with Connors, McEnroe and Arthur Ashe to bring the U.S. Davis Cup to the Portland, Oregon area in 1981 and 1984. Parrott was the Pacific Northwest Tennis Association executive director at the time.

Later in 2007, Parrott spearheaded a campaign for Portland to host the Davis Cup World Final.

While in Oregon, Parrott coached numerous high school state champions and was “Oregon High School Coach of the Year” in 2007 before coaching Division 1 men’s and women’s tennis at Portland State. One of the players he coached was his son Travis Parrott, who — with Carly Gullickson — was the U.S. Open Mixed Doubles champion in 2009.

This summer Parrott plans to tour the country in his Winnebago to track down exclusive interviews with tennis dignitaries for a book he’s writing entitled “The Lords and Ladies of Tennis.”

Parrott’s father, Harold Parrott, is the author of “The Lords of Baseball” which chronicled the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 1947 season when Dodger rookie Jackie Robinson broke the league’s color barrier.

But before Parrott hits the road, he has some business to attend to in town.

“This is the first time I’m doing this here,” Parrott said of being the head instructor for the Charles City YMCA Junior Tennis Program.

“We’re going to have two sessions (June 6-17 and June 20-July 1) at Sportsmen’s Park,” Parrott said. “It’s for boys and girls.

“I’m trying to get more boys interested in tennis so we can possibly start a boys program at the school.”

The cost is $30 for members and $60 for non-members. Youth tennis racquets will be provided if needed.

Parrott said some of the top players from his Comets team will assist him during the program.

Charles City YMCA
Junior Tennis Program

Session 1: June 6-17

Session 2: June 20-July 1

Monday-Thursday (Fridays are make-up)

Times: 9 to 10 a.m. for grades 4-6; 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. for grades 7-9

Cost per session: $30 for members, $60 for non-members — price includes T-shirt

Lessons held at Sportmen’s Park

For more information: Call 641-228-2254