On May 23, ATC honored long-time member (50 years!) John Salamida for his generous contribution that funded the club’s new irrigation system. Dozens of members attended the ceremony. Plaques honoring his grandparents are on the new water fountain, and another plaque on a new bench honors his mother.

But John wasn’t finished. At the ceremony honoring him, he surprised everyone by giving ATC another check for $27,000! The funds will be used for additional club improvements and operating expenses. You will notice two new benches on court three with plaques honoring John’s brothers, Joseph “Joey” and Peter “Pete.”

John, we are ever grateful for your generosity to ATC.

From Club Manager Larry Yakubowski on John Salamida

John has been "donating" to the ATC for many years. Anyone who has played at ATC regularly knows that the winds howling from the west across the "Ridge-fields" can make a challenging game even more difficult. John Salamida, ever the problem-solver, installed hundreds of green slats in the fencing. These slats not only make the playing environment more beautiful (the green and red are festive, yes?) but also tame the fierce winds, allowing us to enjoy our game. John installed these slats himself.

And for those who remember the USTA Tri-County Open, for years, every Labor Day weekend, more than 200 players from New York, Connecticut, and Northern New Jersey battled on the red clay courts at ATC. While I was the Tournament Director responsible for player recruitment, public draw creation, match schedules, rules enforcement, umpiring, and awards ceremonies, the person who kept the tournament civilized, calm, and running like a well-oiled machine was . . . John Salamida!

John did this without asking. Many tennis tournament competitors lose their "marbles" when challenged, but when John was around, everyone behaved. The Italian Stallion was "in the house"! Play hard and behave . . . or leave town.

Thank you, John Salamida, for making the Albany Tennis Club a better place for all!