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A tennis ball zings into the corner of the court after Paul Moran hit it at just the right angle. After a strong serve, the ball is volleyed in every which way and Moran quickly glides across the court in order to win a point.
Moran showed his speed and skill during a demonstration of his chosen sport: wheelchair tennis. Approximately 40 community members, including Moran’s friends and family, gathered at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center Aug. 26 for a fundraiser to help pay for Moran’s trip to the Beijing Paralympics.
The Beijing Paralympics won’t be Moran’s first games, but his fifth. Moran, who lost his right leg and two fingers on his left hand in a trolley accident in 1985, competed as a sitting volleyball player in the 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 games. But, this will be his first time at the Paralympics playing on the tennis team.
Working part-time at the front desk and as a tennis instructor at the Winnetka Park District’s A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center, the 41-year-old Winnetka native is a familiar face to members. Winnetka’s Jeff Skalla learned about Moran’s success after a friendly game of tennis.
“I was wondering ‘How does this guy do this?’ He has an incredibly busy schedule, he has to play in all these tournaments. He’s going to Florida and then Tennessee the next week and all these different events.” Skalla said. “I asked him, ‘How do you do all this?’ It’s really expensive to do all that traveling.”
Moran explained that as he has become a better player, prize money has helped pay for trips, but costs do add up especially without sponsors. Skalla said he was amazed at Moran’s story. He decided hosting a fundraiser was the best way to help financially.
Winnetka’s David Schoen said the tennis community is close knit and wanted to show its support for Moran.
“It was like ‘Oh my god this is a huge deal.’ We were really excited that someone from Winnetka made the Olympics, but he wasn’t getting help,” Schoen said. “We wanted to join together and really help him through.”
As Moran demonstrated the skills that put him on the U.S. Wheelchair Tennis Team, event organizers handed out refreshments, collected donations and raffled off two tennis rackets. Halfway through the fundraiser, Skalla said the $5,000 goal was in sight.
Moran said he was appreciative of the community’s generosity and the funds raised will really help. Fans stopped by the fundraiser to donate, wish Moran good luck in Beijing and watch wheelchair tennis in person.
Skalla said watching Moran play is amazing, how he’s able to maneuver from one edge of the court to another in an instant. His son Robert Skalla, 27, who helped organize the fundraiser, said he found Moran inspiring.
“He makes me want to go out on the court and play,” Robert Skalla said.
Northfield’s Diane Simpson-Bundy, who knows Moran from working with him on the Chicago 2016 Olympic and Paralympic bid, said she and her family were very excited for him.
“This is Paul’s day. He’s been a real ambassador for Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” Simpson-Bundy, a rhythmic gymnast in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, said. “It’s really fun to see how he’s doing.”
Moran said he first saw wheelchair tennis when he and some of his volleyball teammates went to a match at the 1992 Barcelona games. He picked up the sport, but didn’t decide to dedicate himself solely to wheelchair tennis in 2005.
“I decided to retire from volleyball to give tennis the time it deserves and I’m not getting any younger,” Moran said.
Moran will join his team in Colorado on Aug. 29. From Colorado, the team will fly to San Francisco and then on to Beijing Aug. 31. Moran can’t wait to go.
“There are people from all over the world, and, at the Paralympics, it’s athletes with disabilities. There’s a camaraderie that’s special there,” he said. “Sports does a lot of bridging between differences. I like being a part of that.”
The Paralympic Games run from Sept. 6-17. Those interested in helping Paul Moran may call the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association at 847-283-0908 for more information.
See video of Paul Moran's tennis demonstration:
