This article appeared in Southtown Star on July 16, 2010, and is reprinted with their permission. See the entire article in Southtown Star at (note – in their photo of Southland athletes, the athlete in the first row, far right is Leslie Gasser of Orland Park. Maika Boswell and Kurtis Van Kuiken did not appear in the photo.) The photos on this page were taken by Special Olympics Illinois staff.

By Southtown Star Correspondent Steve Millar

Whether it's his powerful serve and prowess at the net on the tennis court, his 205 bowling average or simply his independence, Brent Eriks has a lot to brag about.

He won't gloat too much, though. The sportsmanship awards he has are proof of that.

Still, competing in the Special Olympics for eight years has instilled a strong sense of confidence in the 39-year-old from South Holland, and he isn't afraid to show it.

Like when he describes how he makes up for the relative inexperience of Don Brozek, his partner in Unified tennis, an event that pairs a Special Olympics athlete with someone without an intellectual disability to form a doubles team.

"I pick him up," Eriks said, with a laugh. "I have to carry him sometimes. We play really well as a team, though. We communicate well, and it's a lot of fun playing together."

Eriks and Brozek are two of the nine athletes and four coaches from the Southland who'll represent Team Illinois at the Special Olympics USA National Games, which will run from Sunday through July 23 in Lincoln, Neb.

In addition to the Unified tournament, Eriks will also compete in the singles tennis event.

"I'm really excited to go," Eriks said. "I just missed (qualifying for) the World Games in China (in 2007), so I've been looking forward to this since. It's a good challenge for me."

Brozek, a 55-year-old Tinley Park resident, got involved in Special Olympics five years ago when he became the Unified tennis partner of his son, Nick, a student at Stagg at the time.

"Nancy Hoekstra convinced Nick to come out and give tennis a try," Brozek said. "I just wanted to contribute, knowing it was something we could share. It's been really special playing with him. The people who really deserve the praise are the ones who get involved in the program without a family connection."

As Brozek put it, he "got hooked" to the program. So when Eriks was invited to compete in the national games about a year and a half ago, Brozek was more than willing to become his partner.

The two, who had trained together at the H-F Racquet Club and are each coached by Hoekstra, have been focused on this tournament ever since.

"We practice together every Wednesday, and we spend a lot of other time out playing with each other and against each other," Brozek said. "I've learned what great athletes compete in Special Olympics. When Brett's serve is on, he's unstoppable."

Hoekstra, a teaching pro at H-F, agreed, saying Eriks "has an amazing serve."

Though how players are rated for Special Olympics competition differs, Hoekstra said Eriks "would be a 3.0 player by USTA standards."

By the USTA's handicapping system, that would be roughly halfway between a beginner (1.0) and a college player with a national ranking (6.0).

In addition to his serving prowess, Brozek has been impressed by another part of the 6-foot-6 Eriks' game.

"We call him 'The Monster' at the net," Brozek said.

Despite 18 months of training for one competition, Eriks said he's not nervous and just hopes to have a fun week. The two are looking forward to the entertainment aspects of the event, including the opening ceremonies and a visit from tennis star Andy Roddick.

"I wish Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were coming, too," Eriks said with a laugh. "We're really excited and happy that Andy is coming, though."

When Eriks returns to South Holland, it will be to an independent home he shares with a roommate. The two have lived there for the past four or five years after spending several years in a group home. Eriks is employed as a custodian.

"I like the independence a lot," Eriks said. "It's really nice. I'm high-functioning. I can drive a car. I'm responsible for paying my rent and managing my checkbook and I'm able to do that kind of stuff."

One of Eriks' most prized possessions is the bright orange racket he was given earlier this year when he won the Professional Tennis Registry sportsmanship award at a tournament in Hilton Head, S.C.

"I was surprised to win that," Eriks said. "We always have people who we don't know telling us how nice we are."

"And they say that," Brozek added, "even when we're beating them."