Ken is native Texan, originally from Celeste, where he played on his high school tennis team and competed in junior tournaments.
He played junior college tennis at Central Texas College. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a B.S. with Honors in Physical Education.
Ken has worked in the tennis industry for over 47 years, first as a high school coach and then as Director of High Point Park Tennis Center. From 1972 to 1977, he coached tennis at Plano Senior High and taught tennis through the City of Plano’s Parks and Recreation Department. In 1977, Ken contracted with the City of Plano to run the soon-to-open High Point Park Tennis Center. Ken is a past president of the USPTA Texas Division and served on its Board of Directors as well as it national executive committee. He has received several distinguished awards during his career, including the USPTA Texas Division Community Service Award, the Professional of the Year Award, the Texas Division Community Service Award, the Texas Division Lessons for Life Award, the joint USTA/USPTA Community Service Award, the National USPTA Lessons for Life Award, and the USPTA Industry Excellence Award.
Ken has volunteered with the Dallas Tennis Association and received the organization’s “Pro Volunteer” and Nancy P. Jeffett “Lifetime Achievement” Awards. He served on the nominating, junior recreation, and awards committees for the USTA Texas section. In 1997, his family (wife Pam, daughters Christy and Lauren and son, Clint) was recognized as the organization’s “Family of the Year.”
Did you know? Ken participated as a Torchbearer in the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay and ran a leg carrying the Olympic Torch as it passed near downtown Ft. Worth!
Paying it forward: High Point's Signature Charity Tournament
THE SUMROWS’ STORY
Twenty-nine years ago, Pam and Ken Sumrow started a tradition of philanthropy that is still going strong. Each fall, the Sumrow family, in partnership with Children’s Health, put on the Red Balloon Children Helping Children Tennis Tournament. The money raised goes to the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health. With the help of many volunteers, the event has raised $3.3 million for pediatric cancer research and programs.
The Sumrows started the tournament 29 years ago in honor of their son, Clint, who was successfully treated at Children’s Medical Center for cancer when he was only five years old. The idea of a tournament to raise funds for Children’s Health was a perfect way to combine the family’s love of tennis with their desire to help other families facing the challenge of caring for a child with cancer.
Clint Sumrow now serves as event volunteer co-chair along with his sisters, Christy Sumrow Byerly and Lauren Sumrow Frey. This United States Tennis Association-sanctioned event takes place each September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
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