USTA Professional, Lou Willis, from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, started twirling at age six and has been involved in the sport ever since. Her offerings to children go far beyond that of baton. Here's what Lou shared.
Inside Loop: Lou, your program offers a wide variety of activities to a diverse community of children. Please tell us about your program.
Willis: Lou's Academy & Training Center is a program based in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. We offer 90-minte, weekly classes in baton twirling, tumbling, and hip hop on the days that I am not in Nashville at our non-profit venues. Our calendar changes every month. We also have Tuesday-Thursday cheer with some of my college girls coaching the class. I work with all levels of tumblers, and we give a baton to everyone who comes to class. In the summer, we offer half-day camp four days a week, which includes swimming, baton, tumbling, and dance. Our center operates so that all children can participate, regardless of financial status.
Inside Loop: What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of coaching baton twirling?
Willis: The most rewarding aspect of coaching baton twirling is when the athletes are learning and at practice or at competition the skills come together. I emphasize that we twirl to do our best and to keep progressing. I try to stay away from “the win!” Of course, I love to see my athletes win, but I really enjoy seeing everything come together and then they understand why we've done all the practicing!
Inside Loop: Lastly, what are three things the twirling world probably doesn't know about you?
Willis:
- Most people in the twirling world don't know that I have two older brothers, Leonard and Robert Willis.
- I have a church youth group where I offer Sunday morning “pick up and take home” service. We attend Sunday school and church at Christian Heights United Methodist Church. I try to do monthly activities along with church.
- My mother, Patsy, twirled baton when she was in the fifth grade with my first coach Jane Wall. That's why she started me in dance and baton when I was six years old.