For most of the 20th century, Jewish families in much of the nation—including Denver—who wanted to play tennis had a problem: far too many courts were closed to them. 

That’s the backdrop against which the James M. Swiggart JCC Tennis Center was built, and it explains a lot about why the culture here feels the way it does. 

A Place Where Everyone Belonged 

The exclusion was rarely explicit; private clubs didn’t openly publish ‘No Jews’ policies. Instead, they relied on membership committees, sponsorship requirements, and informal quotas to quietly exclude Jewish applicants. The practice was widespread across the country into the 1960s, and at some clubs, even into the 1980s.  

So Jewish communities built their own. Institutions like the JCC and Green Gables Country Club became places where families could gather, compete, and belong without qualification. Generations of Denver Jews first picked up a racket right here, because it was a place where everyone was welcome. 

That legacy of kehillah—community—still shapes the culture on these courts today.  

Original Members, Lifelong Friends 

Sheila and Pete Meer are original members of the tennis center. “When the opportunity came to play indoors on our side of town, we jumped at it,” they say.  

Nearly two decades later, what stands out isn’t the wins (though Sheila will happily tell you about the two years they took the 4.0 division title and made it to State playoffs). It’s the people. “The opportunity to play with and know other tennis players, Jewish and not, has been invaluable,” they say. “Some of those folks have been our friends for years.” 

Asked what makes JCC tennis different, their answer is three words long: “Community. Informality. Never taking ourselves too seriously.” (well that last one isn’t a word, but it is certainly a great way to describe our approachable tennis center!) 

“It Feels Like Family” 

Barbara Askenazi’s JCC story started on the basketball court, watching her then-boyfriend, now-husband, play in the men’s league nearly 27 years ago.  

The family joined the JCC in 2002, and Barbara found her way to the courts in 2006. Her husband followed her soon after, as did many of his basketball buddies. “Basketball is hard on the body,” Barbara laughs, “and tennis is a lifelong sport.” 

She isn’t wrong; people often play tennis well into their 70s, 80s, and beyond. Research consistently ranks racket sports among the best activities for longevity, as they combine cardiovascular exercise, coordination, strategy, and social interaction. At the JCC, you’ll meet players who’ve been swinging a racket longer than some of us have been alive—and who might still, politely, beat you. 

Between drill classes and USTA leagues, tennis has become a huge part of Barbara’s social life. “We frequently plan dates with others to play tennis and socialize afterwards,” she says. “It’s all just about the people and sharing the love of the sport. Whether you are a new member or an old member, it feels welcoming. Everyone is happy to stop and talk. It feels like family.” 

Carrying the Legacy Forward 

The tennis center was renamed in 2020 to honor Jim Swiggart z”l, the longtime director who helped transition the facility into an entity of the JCC Denver and, alongside his wife Stacy, rebuilt the tennis community from the ground up. Stacy went on to serve as Tennis Director from 2021 to the end of 2023.  

Their work is visible every time someone new walks through the door and gets a hello before they’ve even unzipped their racket bag. Fair warning: you may arrive planning to play a quiet hour of tennis and leave with three new friends and dinner plans.