The Beginning
Buddy Up Tennis began in the summer of 2008 when Beth Gibson, Founder and President of Buddy Up Tennis, would take her then 3.5-year-old son Will to Wickertree Tennis & Fitness Club while she and her older son, Keegan, played tennis. Will was always fascinated with watching tennis, so two Wickertree staff members, Stephanie Anderson and Doug DiRosario, volunteered to teach tennis to Will, who has Down syndrome. To help Will learn, they researched techniques for teaching tennis to children with Down syndrome. From their research, Beth, Stephanie, and Doug realized that there was a real void in service to individuals with Down syndrome, as well as a need for organized tennis and fitness programs for these individuals. They took the initiative to make their dreams a reality, and held the first Buddy Up Tennis Clinic in December 2008 in Columbus, OH.
With the first city expansion to Cincinnati in 2010, Buddy Up Tennis has grown into a nationwide organization with 25+ chapters. Building on its tennis foundation, the organization launched Summer Camp (2015), Fitness (2017), Life Skills (2019), and Connections (2020) to support health, independence, and meaningful friendships for athletes.
Buddy Up For Life’s Mission
Buddy Up exists to serve individuals with Down syndrome by providing a fun, active, and supportive environment for athletes to grow both physically and personally by engaging in activities that impact athletic, social, and emotional development.
The Movement
The impact of Buddy Up For Life extends far beyond the athletes and students alone. From parents, to volunteers, to coaches: the program touches the lives of everyone involved.
- Over 800 athletes
- 1,300 buddies
- 125 coaches and instructors
- 30 cities across the nation – and counting
Buddy Up For Life embraces what it means to live with Down syndrome. Through the support, encouragement, and peer-to-peer engagement provided by our community partners and corporations, teachers, buddy volunteers, and families, BUFL helps participants create and learn to live a life that redefines expectations and breaks traditional boundaries. The benefits from the programs carry into the community by way of participants’ social circles, achievements at school and work, and family life. Buddy volunteers come from all over the community, including local businesses, high school students, teachers, college clubs and sports teams, and elsewhere.
Volunteer to be a Buddy
Volunteers (Buddies) are the nucleus of the programs at Buddy Up For Life. Buddies are always needed for each chapter to encourage, engage, and empower the athletes to reach their fullest potential. In each of the programs, no prior experience is needed. The most important qualities are a positive attitude, patience, and a willingness to help. Learn more about being a Buddy.
