Mission Statement

To work with at-risk children and adolescents, principally, but not limited to Native American descent. Inspire, educate, and train youth in the art and science of athletics, particularly tennis. Promote continued and advanced education. Encourage positive parental involvement in youth activities.

Brief History

In the summer of 1995, David Dantzer and family volunteers started a free weekly tennis clinic for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians thirty-five miles from his home in Santa Maria, California.

The first Standing Tall Tennis Summer Tour outreach clinic was held in Mission, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Reservation for the Lakota People in 1996.

In 1997, co-founders Dr. Don DeGroot and David Dantzer established Standing Tall Tennis as a non-profit organization, 501 (C) 3.

Since 1996, David has averaged driving 10,000 miles each summer while introducing tennis on 23 reservations within 12 western states. In 2005, a Standing Tall Tennis outreach program began in Hawaii under the direction of Robert Beckvall, USPTA.

Standing Tall Tennis Logo

The distinctive logo is a direct result of a vision David Dantzer had. In David’s vision, the three characters were facing the opposite direction, with the child elevated by the male figure and the female with a supporting hand.

David shared this vision with his wife, Lynn, and she, in time, spotted a portion of this vision on a note card in a shop in Solvang, California.

After searching for some time, Jim Yellowhawk (Ce’tan’gi), the artist, was located in Dayton, Ohio. A Lakota/Iroquois from South Dakota, Jim graciously granted David permission to use his artwork as the official Standing Tall Tennis logo. “This was truly an honor,” said David, “as Jim and his wife, Ruth, had already dedicated the original artwork to their son, Gabe Yellowhawk.”

The Standing Tall Tennis organization strives to uphold what Jim Yellowhawk conveys in his art. Jim has said, “In my paintings, I show the feelings that I have in my heart for the Native Americans. My one strong desire is that Native American children will be encouraged by my artwork and will be inspired to achieve their full potential. As Jim has said, “Along with our elders, no one is more highly valued and cherished than are Native American children.”

As in most instances that are Native American, the Standing Tall Tennis logo is full of truth and meaning. Our logo is encapsulated in a circle or the Sacred Hoop of life. The child is upheld as precious and important by the parents – they are supporting one another. As Jim stated, “The parents dream that their son will become a strong warrior, prepared to face the world with generosity, bravery, fortitude, and wisdom.” The tipi is the home and the cedar forest provides for all of our physical needs. The eagle feathers represent our connection to the Great Spirit.

The four colors – black, red, yellow, and white – honor the four directions of the winds and, at the same time, represent the four main skin colors of mankind on Mother Earth.