It wasn’t a big moment in the grand scheme of things.
Yet, there’s no denying it was a momentous occasion for at least one family.
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When the Judson men’s tennis team defeated Aurora University 9-0, coach Chris Moment was on Judson’s side of the proverbial net. On the other side coaching Friday was his 24-year-old son Andrew.
“It was kind of my dream in high school to play college tennis some day, and thankfully it’s gone way beyond that,” Andrew Moment said.
There was no Moment Cup at stake. Only family pride and the furthering of their sport.
Perhaps there were some minor bragging rights.
“There’s always trash-talking,” Andrew Moment said, laughing.
A week earlier, Chris Moment went to watch Aurora play.
“It probably looked like I was scouting them,” Chris Moment said. “Really, I just wanted to watch Andrew’s team play.”
Andrew Moment became the Aurora men’s coach this season after two years as a teaching pro at Stonebridge Country Club and Vaughan Tennis Center.
“Andrew knows his stuff, so he will do well,” Chris Moment said. “This was really in his wheelhouse, coaching a college team.”
Moment’s son has a personal model to follow.
Chris Moment took over Judson’s tennis program four years ago, when Andrew was a senior playing on the team along with his sophomore brother Jonathan.
Judson (20-4) has become a perennial challenger for NCCAA nationals. Moment takes pride in the progress and his sons’ contributions.
“It’s been great to get to see firsthand the success of my sons,” Chris Moment said. “They were former baseball players and didn’t start playing tennis until they were in high school at Yorkville.
“So they were definitely well behind what the standard progression would be for tennis players. They came a long way.”
Chris Moment calls it a tennis family.
This began when he lived in England as a youth. Chris’ uncle was Tony Clark, an amateur who played in the 1940s on the fabled grass courts at Wimbledon prior to the tournament opening up in 1968 to professionals.
“He was always a driving force behind tennis for me,” Chris Moment said. “It’s been a cool experience to pass it on to your kids and then see them grow into the sport.”
Clark once played fabled Ecuadorean tennis standout Pancho Segura, and Moment has memorabilia in his office detailing his uncle’s Wimbledon record.
Now, two Moments pass down tennis to younger players.
“I like this because I studied to be a teacher in college and it’s kind of like the same thing on the court,” Andrew Moment said. “It’s a relational job. With a college team, you get to know these guys very well through the long bus rides, eating meals together.
“I like the atmosphere of it, specifically college tennis where it’s more about team as compared to high school, where it’s more about individuals.”
Aurora (3-4) is in NCAA Division III and can’t give athletic scholarships, while Judson can in NAIA.
“We’re probably a few years behind (Judson) at this point,” Andrew Moment said. “I haven’t brought a ton of new people into the program yet, but I’m hoping Aurora can be on track to be at that competitive level eventually.”
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On a larger scale, the Moments see their sport progressing.
USTA surveys show U.S. participation up at 18 million players, and the growing number of west suburban indoor facilities reflects this strength.
“I’ve seen it grow in the area tremendously the last few years,” Chris Moment said. “They say it’s a lifelong sport. It truly is with the number of players in their 70s and 80s taking part.”
It’s also a generational sport, and the Moments are the perfect example.
Twitter @genechamberlai2