Chris Craw - Senior Statement

“The peace of God... will guard your hearts...”

Chris has been such an important part of this team for four years. He is not a loud leader, but he does all the little things that make him a great teammate. For example, he never runs through a drill where he isn’t pushing himself. He expects the best out of himself. He listens and tries to integrate any coaching or instruction that he can get.

I think of this year, when his serve wasn’t quite right. We stayed after practice for 20 minutes hitting serves and I’d show him where his toss was floating to, and where he needed it to be. He tossed ball after ball in order to make things work better.

Another thing about Chris that is great is his willingness to play doubles with anyone. He’s played matches this year with several different partners, and he’s played challenge matches with many more. Every time, he is easy to play with, and you know that he’ll certainly be trying his best.

Perhaps this is the thing that defines him more than anything. Back during Chris’s sophomore year, we got out a ladder and had a demonstration about what faithfulness means. We climbed up the ladder with a tennis ball and let it bounce away from us, then we sprinted off the ladder to grab the ball and come back. The idea was that a person of true character, of true faith, isn’t one who doesn’t ever mess up. Instead, it is the person who quickly comes back to climbing the ladder. That’s Chris. He doesn’t get heated up or angry at others, he doesn’t make excuses when things aren’t going well. Instead, he chases down the ball and runs back to the ladder. He tries and tries again.

This calm and this faith, this coming back and trying again, it inspires the team. Chris has made such a contribution to the tennis and the attitude of the team even when he doesn’t know it. His calm and quiet demeanor show an example of how to listen and how to respond. His willingness to face and fix weaknesses in his game is also a great model. And Chris has been in a unique position this year to really help the team. In his JV doubles role, he has been able to push the varsity doubles just ahead of him to stay sharp, and to challenge them in practice. And then he’s also been a leader to the JV guys around and below him, as they try to come up and play at his level. This is invaluable, because he’s pushing the team to be better.

I am grateful for Chris, and his love, faith, and all he has given and will continue to give to our brotherhood.

Verse: Proverbs 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.