The Park District of Western Springs has established a scholarship award in memory of beloved tennis professional and program director, Simon Piacente. Coach Simon passed away in January 2024 and this award will memorialize his immeasurable contributions to Western Springs Tennis.
This scholarship award will provide a one-time benefit of $1,000 each, to up to four high school graduates from the class of 2023 and 2024.
Coach Simon was a dedicated ambassador of local tennis and larger-than-life personality. He grew The Western Springs Tennis program by igniting a love for the game (and 80s music!) and forging true friendships among its participants of all ages, backgrounds and town lines. Regardless of your state of mind walking onto his court, after a Simon drill, you left in an uplifted, happy place. He was more than a tennis pro, he was a community organizer, a “life coach” and a legend that made his players feel legendary too.
Those applying for this award are committed to pursuing Simon’s passion for tennis and understand the meaning of positive energy, community involvement, and the joy of playing sports. In Simon’s words, to “make a long story even longer”, it is not the desire to mourn him, but rather to celebrate our all-black wearing, 80s loving, caffeine-guzzling, trivia-playing best friend and creator of the tennis “Tournament for the Ages” who made laughter and friendship the center of life.