CHAMPAIGN — Two tennis courts are situated in a corner of Clark Park. Surrounded by houses on both sides of the street in this central Champaign neighborhood. Plenty of trees, too, along with some playground equipment and benches in a park that was first built in 1909.
Bill Bernhard didn’t know the effect this particular plot of land would have on his family. Or on his son. No, when he and his wife Jen moved to Champaign in 1997 to become professors at the University of Illinois, the significance of Clark Park wasn’t discussed.
“I’m really grateful 27 years ago I chose the right school district,” Bill said on a warm summer June afternoon, sitting on a bench near the courts he and his family have become familiar with through the years. “Quite by accident.” His son, Ezra, is nearby in the shade, having just wrapped up a 30-minute conversation.
A conversation geared around the sport he performed at an elite level throughout his high school career at Champaign Central. Good enough to become The News-Gazette’s All-Area boys’ tennis Player of the Year for the second straight season. “I’ve spent so much time here,” Ezra said while looking around at Clark Park.
“My first memories, ever, are right over here.” His first tennis experiences, too. Again, quite by accident.
“This park has been terrific,” Bill said. “The reason he started playing tennis is because the court was here. He was 3 or 4 years old and saw people playing and said, ‘I want to tr.