by Craig Morgan, www.thesundevils.com
T.J. Bellama and Jack Marsh will never get their senior seasons back. With the help of Sun Devils men's tennis coach Matt Hill, they are getting their community back.
Bellama, Marsh and three other members of the 2008 Sun Devils men's tennis team (Murilo Souza, Wes Miller and Juan Carlos Rebaza) were on hand to witness the rebirth of the program on Saturday at the Whiteman Tennis Center when ASU took on No. 25 Duke. The program was cut in 2008 due to funding issues. It's last match came against Duke in the NCAA Tournament.
On%20Saturday%20we%20were%20able%20to%20share%20the%20court%20with%20some%20members%20of%20the%202008%20team.%20It%20feels%20great%20to%20finally%20be%20back!%20??%20#SunDevilForLife%20pic.twitter.com/dj9e5bTnd1
—%20Sun%20Devil%20M.%20Tennis%20(@SunDevilMTennis)%20January%2015,%202018%20">Tweet #%20">On Saturday we were able to share the court with some members of the 2008 team. It feels great to finally be back! ?? #SunDevilForLife pic.twitter.com/dj9e5bTnd1 — Sun Devil M. Tennis (@SunDevilMTennis) January 15, 2018On%20Saturday%20we%20were%20able%20to%20share%20the%20court%20with%20some%20members%20of%20the%202008%20team.%20It%20feels%20great%20to%20finally%20be%20back!%20??%20#SunDevilForLife%20pic.twitter.com/dj9e5bTnd1
—%20Sun%20Devil%20M.%20Tennis%20(@SunDevilMTennis)%20January%2015,%202018
"There is a lot of satisfaction," Bellama said. "The last time my team was together was in 2008 so this is the first time we've been back together since. It's incredible, the juxtaposition of feelings then and the feelings now."
Hill knew a couple of the former players already. When the program was cut in 2008, he was coaching at Mississippi State and tried to recruit a couple of them. When he arrived at ASU in 2016, reconnecting was high on his priority list.
"I didn't feel it was right not to pick up the phone and get to know as many alums as I could," he said. "I can't fathom the feelings they must have had. I can't put myself in their shoes and truly empathize because it didn't happen to me, but I knew I wanted to re-establish those ties and they've been incredible; super excited about what we're doing."
Hill credited Bellama with spearheading many of alumni efforts. Bellama lives in the Valley and works as a physical therapist. He married former Sun Devil gymnast Mary Atkinson.
He said that when he heard the program was being reinstated, he "let myself into the athletic department" and told Hill he'd like to be involved.
"We're trying to establish a community and a connection because there's a 10-year gap," he said.
Bellama has helped reconnect with alumni, organize events and he even hosted a dinner at his house. On Friday night, the past and current Sun Devils got together for dinner. After Saturday's doubles matches had concluded, Bellama stood on the courts with Souza, Miller and Marsh and addressed the crowd, presenting Marsh with a Sun Devils jersey to give him the senior day he never had.
Back%20in%20action%20today%20at%201!%20
Sights%20and%20sounds%20from%20our%20season%20opener%20??%20pic.twitter.com/wvciW0dDSk
%20">Back in action today at 1!Back%20in%20action%20today%20at%201!%20
—%20Sun%20Devil%20M.%20Tennis%20(@SunDevilMTennis)%20January%2014,%202018
Sights%20and%20sounds%20from%20our%20season%20opener%20??%20pic.twitter.com/wvciW0dDSk
Sights and sounds from our season opener ?? pic.twitter.com/wvciW0dDSk — Sun Devil M. Tennis (@SunDevilMTennis) January 14, 2018
"Today is a fabulous day to know that a great sport that used to be a really strong sport is coming back," said Anderson, who was joined by his wife, Buffie. "We've been advocates and participants in tennis, really since we met each other. When we were in New York, she'd spend a day at the U.S. Open, day and night sessions. She played up in Harlem. She played in Central Park, on the East River when she could. This is particularly close to her heart."
Marsh, a local psychiatrist, said he still keeps in touch with most of the 2008 team members.
"They are still all my best friends," he said. "We have a fantasy football league and we travel to it every year. I'd say six or seven guys hang out still."
"It's fun to have it back. It's good for all these kids to have the experience of college tennis. I know it did great things for me. I'm sure it will do the same for them."