Western Springs Protesters Want Tennis Pro Back

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Another protest was held Monday night in Western Springs, but it was not related to the Black Lives Matter movement. This time, it was in support of Dave Evans, who was apparently let go last week as Western Springs' tennis pro after nearly four decades at the tennis program's helm.

Participants and coaches in the tennis program demonstrated in front of Village Hall and walked through downtown. They held signs such as "Justice For Dave," "Bring Back Dave Evans" and "I Don't Even Work for (Western Springs Tennis), But I Need Dave."

"When we walked past the restaurants in downtown Western Springs, many people cheered us on," Abby Tymick, an 18-year-old who is one of the coaches, said in an email to Western Springs Patch. "Everything happening shows how much the community loves Dave."

Western Springs, Tymick said, has not released any type of response about Evans' departure or the pleas to bring him back. Three coaches have quit and classes are understaffed, Tymick said. "The teen coaches all still agree that we need Dave back to keep the program running," she said.

A petition is circulating online to bring back Evans.

Patch submitted a public records request to the village late last week for documents related to Evans' exit from the village's recreation program. Officials have declined to discuss what happened.

According to the village's website, the tennis program has been under the guidance of Evans since 1983.

The Western Springs tennis program has brought in participants from all over the suburbs, supporters say.

Patch has been unable to reach Evans.