Sep 9, 2024
A Message from Mitch Edenbaum
“This November, I will be running the 2024 New York Marathon with my son Jordan and daughter Brooke in honor of Drew Hassenbein. Drew tragically lost his life to a drunk driver on May 3rd, 2023 at 14 years old. He was a nationally-ranked tennis player who lit up every room he walked into.
He had a passion for life, winning, and all-things sports. We see the Hassenbein’s as a second family and hope to honor Drew as we run.
We will be running with the Steve’s Camp team raising money for an organization that provides children from systematically nature-deprived communities with an opportunity to connect with nature and physical activity at a camp in the Catskills.
The values of Steve’s camp align with those of the Drew Hassenbein foundation, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to exposing underprivileged children to sports like tennis. We are also working with Steve’s Camp to create “Drew’s Court”, a court that will be named after Drew.
Please consider donating to support me and family in honoring Drew and please help us keep Drew’s legacy alive by achieving our goal of raising $50,000. #DHassOnTop”
Aug 12, 2024
AUGUST 17 & 18th – Each team is to play at least 4 sets in a round-robin. Players include: Bryan Brothers, Tommy Haas, Jan Michael Gambill, Bradley Klahn, Noah Rubin, David Marrero & others. The winning team gets courtside US Open Tickets.
August 17
12:00 pm: Men’s B Division Play
5:30 pm: Men’s B Division Finals
AUGUST 18
12:00 pm: Women’s & Men’s A Division (Calcutta-style) Play
5:30 pm: Women’s & Men’s A Division Finals
AUGUST 18TH 5 PM BBQ WITH CHEF BILLY DURNEY OF SAG HARBOR TAVERN AND HOMETOWN BBQ
Email info@theracquetlounge.com or call Jemma at 631-603-2232 to register
Jul 30, 2024
In honor of Drew Hassenbein.
Thursday, August 1st, 3 pm
TEST YOUR SKILLS AGAINST THE LOCAL PRO’s!
Courtside Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres immediately following the tournament.
PLEASE CALL THE TENNIS PRO SHOP AT 516.676.4050 X1034 TO SIGN UP
May 22, 2024
A tennis court is 78 feet long and 36 feet wide, but for many people, it represents something much larger than that. For Mitch Hassenbein, it’s the place he feels most comfortable. Mitch’s son Drew was one of the best players in the United States, a top-ranked junior amongst his peers and a star player for the Roslyn High School tennis team despite still being in middle school.
A year ago, Drew and Roslyn teammate Ethan Falkowitz were tragically killed by a drunk driver while heading home from a team dinner. The senseless tragedy left a community shaken and two families fractured. Now, Mitch Hassenbein is using the thing that bonded him most to his son as a way of remembering him, and using Drew’s legacy to help young tennis players.
“The thing about Drew was that he had this incredible passion and competitive nature, but he was able to keep it under control. And he was his best on the biggest stages,” said Mitch. “And that comes from confidence, which comes from all the hard work and training that he did in practice to perform when it came time to compete. If you can outwork everybody, you are going to have a lot of success. That’s one thing you can control, how much work and effort you put in, and that’s what Drew did every day.”
Hassenbein says he never feels more connected to his son than when he is on the court, and is now using all of the experience he gained from working and traveling with Drew. It began with him giving lessons at East Hills Park in Roslyn, and he then went indoors and began teaching lessons at Robbie Wagner’s Tournament Training Center (RWTT), the place where Drew spent countless hours training.
“I needed a way to find some peace and solace and some time when I can really reflect and think about Drew in a positive way,” he said. “Being on the court brings back so many memories. It was an automatic thing. For me, everyday was going to work, and then afterwards going to tennis with Drew, whether that was driving him to practice or working with him at the house. It was all about tennis training and commitment to a schedule. I can’t sit in the house. I need some sort of normalcy in my routine and a lot of that was driving back and forth between tennis courts and facilities, so I just wanted to maintain that and see if I can help some others at the same time. That’s what it’s been. It’s worked pretty well. It’s kept me busy, and it’s kept me distracted. And I think, and the hope is, the kids are benefitting from the time I am putting in.”
After receiving many requests for assistance from schools, Hassenbein joined the Friends Academy boys team this spring as an assistant coach. He is very enthusiastic about this opportunity, and the team is happy to have him join them.
“Mitch clearly loves tennis and has been an enthusiastic and inspiring assistant at practices and matches,” said Friends Academy head coach Owen Kassimir. “Most of the kids on the team knew Drew as a fellow tennis player and are happy to share the love of the game with his dad. I look forward to continuing our relationship both on and off the court.
Mitch Hassenbein (right) with Owen Kassimir (left) at a Friends Academy match this season
Hassenbein added:
“In high school tennis, you have a short window with these players, the season goes by so fast, and my goal is just to help everyone improve a little bit, whether it’s their serve, or the forehand, the footwork, maybe strategy, anything I can do to help give them the edge to their games that I have learned in my experience on the national circuit from traveling with Drew and learning from him. The funny thing is I learned more from Drew than he did from me. After a while, he was the one telling me to change my grip on my racquet, and coach me. I refer back to a lot of my times with Drew and it becomes a comfort. One of the few places I have comfort is on the court, that’s where I feel really close to him.”
The Hassenbein family is also continuing Drew’s legacy through the Drew Hassenbein Foundation, which is helping expose underprivileged children to the sport of tennis, sponsoring elite juniors, and helping aspiring pros to become the next USA tennis champions. The foundation has already raised close to $500,000 through generous donations, fundraisers, tournaments, merchandise sales and more, which it has used to provide equipment for underprivileged youngsters, grant funding to help with coaching and traveling expenses for junior players, amongst other things.
The Foundation is currently sponsoring two of Drew’s close friends who are top juniors and providing them with the necessary resources to pursue their dreams.
“Both through the foundation and through my teaching, we are trying to tell Drew’s story,” said Hassenbein. “Drew was a recipe of hard work. People called him gifted and said he was a prodigy, but he was those things because of the work and hours he put in. That made him who he was, and he loved it. I am trying to teach and educate the people I’m working with that if you are serious about tennis, you have to love it. You have to love to do the work, and not do it because it feels like a job or because your parents are forcing you to. If you want to compete at the highest level, you have to love it and want to achieve great things.”
The Foundation has plans for a prominent event in the near future. The foundation will always be remembering Drew and his elite tennis ability. They hope to also expand their mission to make a difference for people struggling with grief and have a meaningful impact on reducing drunk driving incidents.
It’s been a year since the community lost two of its brightest stars, leaving a hole that can never be filled. Taking it one-day-at–time and remaining close to the sport of tennis here on Long Island, Mitch Hassenbein is doing what he can to keep moving forward, and ensuring that Drew’s legacy lives on.
“I haven’t overcome anything. Every day is a disaster and a tremendous challenge but this is what I’m trying to do to keep going, and trying to give back,” he said. “I have learned so much over the years, and want to help people in any way that I can. It’s about educating both the kids and the parents. I’m no genius, I’ve just been there and done it. I’m happy to be there for them in any way they need. It makes me feel good being able to help out, and parents or kids can call me anytime.”
You can learn more about Drew and the Foundation by visiting DrewHassenbein.org.
Mar 6, 2024
This event is presented by Dwight Global Online School, an online high school that brings an independent school experience and the freedom to pursue your passions.
Matches to be played on indoor hard courts
Draw type: Feed-in championship to round of 16, with 5/8 and 3/4 playoffs
Main draw match format: Best of 3 Tiebreak sets with a full 3rd set; 10-minute coaching break between the 2nd and 3rd set; ad-scoring
Consolation match format: Best of 3 Tiebreak sets with a 10-point match tiebreak played in lieu of the 3rd set; ad-scoring
Selection: Top 48 in each division based on the most recently published national standings list
Players may register for multiple age divisions but will only be admitted to one; selection is done for the older age groups first. If a player is selected to an older age division they will automatically be withdrawn from the younger division. If the player is not selected to the older division, they will only be eligible for the younger division. Please keep this in mind when registering.
Click Here To Register
Mar 6, 2024
I have made it my life’s mission to honor Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz, my teammates I consider my brothers who were taken from this world way too soon by a wrong-way drunk driver. Since this horrible tragedy, Drew and Ethan have foundations in their names supporting causes that meant a lot to them.
The Drew Hassenbein University of Michigan Fundraiser “Don’t Drink and Drive” event will take place on March 10, 2024 at Mitchell Field from 3-5:30 PM. It will be a fraternity 7-on-7 (plus a goalie) soccer tournament.
$10 for spectators and $15 for participants. Proof of donation will be required to be admitted.
We must put an end to drunk driving, and it starts with every one of you.
Please help make a difference and come out to support Drew’s foundation. Details for Ethan’s event will follow.
Feb 14, 2024
3:30-6PM
SID JACOBSON JCC SID JACOBSON JCC
300 Forest Dr, Greenvale, NY 11548
ALL ARE WELCOME! COME BY TO SUPPORT AND GET A TREAT FORYOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE!
Cookies, cupcakes, chocolates, candy, & many more treats.
Nut free and Gluteno ptions will also be available!
All Proceeds Go To The Drew Hassenbein Foundation
Jan 23, 2024
This weekend was the Dream Big Drew Hassenbein Tournament Boys 16 L3 closed (eastern) at Drew’s home court RWTT. Although Drew wasn’t physically with us this weekend, his presence was felt all around. His mom even imagined him on Court 5 (where he had his lessons with Coach Adrian) winning some big points and looking up at the window after every great point or missed shot. His parents, Jaime & Mitch, miss watching him compete, miss the stomach-churning matches, and everything else about Drew.
The tennis community is missing Drew too. As many shared this weekend, there were many people that admired and even looked up to Drew. The Hassenbein’s got the chance to spend time with Drew’s tennis friends, competitors, and tennis families. They truly felt the love and support from them all. Drew will never be forgotten!
Thank you to all the boys who played in the tourney. There were so many great matches, high level tennis & great competition. I know Drew would be so proud of you all. He will always be watching and rooting you on from above. Dhass on top always and forever!
Congratulations to all the winners!
1st place – Connor Plunkett
2nd Place – Zen Uehling
3rd Place – Giovanni Rezk
4th Place – Cole Langer
5th Place – Henry Groves
6th Place – Jesse Yang
Drew Hassenbein Foundation Awards
Sportsmanship – Zen Uehling
True Competitor Award – Filip Nikolovski
USTA Sportsmanship Award – Jack Reis
A special thanks to all the sponsors and everyone who donated to make it an extra special tourney. Thank you Robbie Wagner, Shari Ozer, Dot cakes, Howie (Gotham T-shirts), Holly Green (we sold out of sweatshirts), and Marinara Pizza. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Much love from the Drew Hassenbein Foundation!
#DrewHassenbeinFoundation #DHassOnTop #DrewHassenbein
Jan 21, 2024
Thank you Roslyn Booster Basketball Club (@roslyn_booster_basketball_club) for putting together the 3v3 basketball tournament last MLK weekend.
Drew loved playing and competing in RBBC 🏀 since Kindergarten – 8th grade. He played every game with all his heart and passion.
Over 250+ Roslyn players, both boys and girls, participated in the tournament. We hope everyone had fun playing and competing. we greatly appreciate your support! A huge thanks to all the sponsors & GSM Charity Auctions for helping make it a special and very successful event.
#DrewHassenbeinFoundation #DHassOnTop #DrewHassenbein
