The MCB Tennis Foundation based in Dallas, Texas began in 1968 by Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker and Nancy Jeffett.. For over forty years, the foundation has been involved with organizing tennis events and promoting tennis for all levels from the Virginia Slims of Dallas women’s professional event for 20 years to the “Little Mo” program for boys and girls 11 & under. Maureen Connolly was the first woman to win the Grand Slam in 1953. She accomplished this feat when she was only 18 years of age. She is still the youngest Grand Slam champion and only American woman to win the Grand Slam. She is only one of five players in the history of tennis to have won the Grand Slam. Maureen was nicknamed “Little Mo” early in her career by Nelson Fisher, sports writer of the San Diego Union newspaper because her powerful strokes reminded him of the U.S. battleship Missouri (Big Mo). In 1954, “Little Mo” injured her leg in a horseback riding accident, which ended her tennis career. She continued to be a major influence in the world of tennis. She married Norman Brinker and they made their home in Dallas. As one of Dallas’ new residents, “Little Mo” was anxious to promote her beloved game of tennis and in 1968, she joined her dear friend, Nancy Jeffett, to co-found the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation. Unfortunately, her death from cancer occurred six months later. Today, the MCB Tennis Foundation continues to benefit countless numbers of boys and girls throughout the country and the world. Nancy Jeffett, Chairman Emeritus, Cindy Brinker Simmons, President, Brenda Brinker Bottum Vice-President, Elizabeth Jeffett, Vice-President, Carol Weyman, Executive Vice-President, and a capable Advisory Board lead the foundation in a myriad of programs and activities.
The “Little Mo” tournament began in Texas over thirty years ago and due to its popularity, the event expanded to national level in 1998 with the formation of the “Road to the Little Mo Nationals”
– a nationwide, year-long circuit of fun, competitive tournaments culminating in a United States national champion being crowned in each age division. Over 1,500 players participate in the “Road to the Little Mo” Nationals. In 2006, the MCB Tennis Foundation announced the “Little Mo” was expanding to an international level to mark the 30th anniversary of the “Little Mo” program.
The “Little Mo” International Open was also created to give American players an opportunity to play others from around the world who are their same age. It also gives foreign players the opportunity to come to America to have an experience of a lifetime and meet other players from around the world. The players play their same age, i.e. 8’s play 8’s, 9’s play 9’s. It is a unique competition and the only one of its kind in the world. Players such as Andy Roddick, Jamie, Hunt, Donald Young, Ryan Harrison, Evan King, Denis Kudla, Alexa Glatch and many others have come through the “Little Mo” program in its 32 year history. Roddick won the “Little Mo” event in 1992 at age 10. At that time, he lived in Austin, Texas and the event was only for Texas players. Roddick said, “the Little Mo” was my first big win!” He continues to be very supportive of the “Little Mo” by personally signing photograph cards for each player in the “Little Mo” Nationals.
