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Read about Marcus being elected to the USTA New England Board of Directors here in February 2021.
Marcus Hooks
There is no overestimating the quickening of mind, the stir of soul, and the swell of idealism that a good role model can spark in the young. Carver alumnus Marcus Hooks, or Coach Marcus as he is known today, is such a leader.
Marcus is Co-Founder and President of Six Love, a new nonprofit organization that offers tennis programs throughout Fairfield County. Though Six Love serves people of all ages, Marcus specializes in introducing young people, especially minority youth, to the joys and benefits of the sport. In addition to the Carver Community Center, Six Love partners with local town parks, Boys and Girls Clubs, and youth camps, among other partners.
Son of Tommie (known as Coach Hooks, who taught Marcus the sport of tennis as soon as he could hold a racket) and Donna Hooks, Marcus has been a part of Carver community since his days in elementary school. He played varsity tennis at Brien McMahon High School for four years, his junior and senior years as team captain.
Bethany College in West Virginia (NCAA Division III school) recruited Marcus to help rebuild their tennis program. Marcus received scholarships for both academics and sports. During his three seasons at Bethany College as team captain, the team achieved its best record in 43 years.
Marcus then transferred to Albertus Magnus College where he helped the team make the division playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Marcus is a PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) certified professional, and is a “10 & Under Progression Tournament” Director. Since high school and during his college years, Marcus taught tennis locally at Slammer Tennis World, Stamford Parks and Rec, Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, Shippan Racquet Club, KT Murphy Elementary School, and was Head Pro at the Stamford Youth Tennis Academy.
Marcus currently works at Darien Kings Highway Tennis and is a tennis pro at the New Canaan Racquet Club.
Marcus sits on the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Connecticut Board and represents New England on the USTA National Diversity Immersion for Volunteer Engagement cohort.
“Tennis isn’t the most popular sport for urban kids,” Marcus said. “I am determined to open the eyes of the younger generation to the sport that gave me such great joy and opportunity in life. Many schools are eager to award tennis scholarships to minorities, and if these kids keep playing and really work at it, it’s amazing the opportunities they will get.” Many students pick up the sport for its agility and cardio benefits, but they stay with the sport because of Marcus.
During his high school years, Marcus gave the keynote address one year at the public Carver Board of Directors Annual Meeting. Along with his friends Chris Isaacs and Tomar Joseph, Marcus formed the Carver Steppers. Stepping is a percussive dance that combines footsteps, handclaps and spoken words. It isn't well known in the Northeast, though it has appeared in many movies. These three Carver students saw stepping performances during Carver spring break College Tours. They began stepping at home as a fun distraction, but Novelette Peterkin, Carver’s CEO, took their effort seriously and asked them to perform at Carver events. That led to other performances in Norwalk, such as at Norwalk Community College. Years later, Novelette supported Marcus in creating Six Love.
Having found tennis too interesting to keep to himself, Marcus dedicated his life to sharing the sport. Growing up in Norwalk, he had no idea that this odd sport that most of his friends did not understand would animate him with a sense of purpose. Today, the ongoing and dynamic process of creating Six Love is based on core values Marcus learned from his many positive experiences and mentors. While he refines and enriches them, their elemental substance remains his center of gravity as he now magnifies the spirit of the young people he coaches.
Especially during these fraught days of public health, economic and racial justice upheavals, there is nothing more difficult yet more gratifying in our society than living with sincerity and acting from a place of large-hearted and constructive faith in the human spirit. This remains the most potent vaccine against cynicism. Today, Marcus is a shining example to the Carver community of courage and resistance.
USTA New England Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Chantal Roche, sits down with the founder of Six Love Tennis, Marcus Hooks, as part of the "In Their Own Words" series.