From the left were PCDC clients Paul Fetter, Mike Reynolds, Mark Nystrand, Theresa Lanier, Dennis Huculiak, Doreen Waite, Pike Tennis Association Program Director & Head Pro Ken Baumel, and Pike County Developmental Center (PCDC) Executive Director Liz Torkildsen.

Pike Tennis Association is a pioneer in adaptive and diversity programs. Seven years ago, Torkildsen invited Pike Tennis Association Tennis Program Director and Head Pro Ken Baumel to develop a tennis program just for developmentally challenged adult clients who are participants in the PCDC vocational rehabilitation and independent living program centered in Milford.

In 2000, Pike Tennis pioneered in EPD and developed a pilot  tennis program for adult special population persons. The PCDC clients were the first ones to participate in the program. The first two programs were conducted outdoors in a public park.

In early 2001, Pike Tennis conducted an indoor program in mid-winter. According to Torkildsen, "The success of the first year's Pike Tennis developmental tennis program in accomplishing a wide range of positive outcomes have exceeded our expectations."  

Torkildsen, said, "PCDC received a Monroe County grant to aid in promoting better nutrition and exercise programs for our clients. We have included the Pike Tennis Association program in our grant report. The clients are so enthused about the program that they did not stop talking about it for days.

"We are asking Pike Tennis to conduct the programs more frequently, once a month on a regular basis. We have even bought junior tennis racquets for each of our clients and are making the tennis development program part of the regular exercise, life skills enrichment, and learning component."

In 2002, PCDC  received funding for the Pike Tennis program from the Association for Retarded Citizens, Apple Valley and Steve Metzger of Milford Township also financed the Pike Tennis program, and from 2003 to the present, PCDC received a Biondo Trust Foundation grant to continue the Pike Tennis developmental enrichment program. 

Pike Tennis also has conducted adaptive programs for challenged children, youths, and cerebral palsy clients. All have successfully performed and enhanced their lives.  

The overall Pike Tennis program regularly receives positive newspaper, video, media, and Internet coverage. Its Diversity program has been featured in "Tennis Pro" Magazine, an international tennis publication.