VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: How ACEing Autism is changing lives in Manlius
Joey Cicini: Serving up smiles across Central New York. Welcome to sports, I’m Joey Cicini. While we’re a long way away from Paris, I had the opportunity to check out a Central New York Organization that’s creating memories for these athletes that feel just as spectacular. The Manlius YMCA might not be home to Wimbledon’s next champion, but the tennis court is producing Wimbledon-type moments.
Jake Mills: ACEing Autism Tennis helps me learn the game tennis. It is fun and I love to play with my friends.
Cicini: Acing Autism is a national nonprofit organization built for kids on the autism spectrum. Their goal is to provide neurodivergent people a safe, joyful place to play, leaving no one on the sidelines.
Eileen Horgan: I think just seeing how happy the kids are and seeing them have a great time, it’s been so awesome to see them making friends with the other players and just seeing everybody kind of come out of their shell.
Cicini: Founded in 2008, the program has grown over 230 branches across 32 states. Buffalo’s Kathy Connelly drove down I-90 to bring that mission here. Her sister Marni has autism and her tennis background did the rest.
Kathy Connelly: So I bring the tennis and a familiarity with people with autism. I really feel I was meant to do this, I was drawn to do it, and a tennis court is a very happy place and a great place to bring people together.
Cicini: The smiles on the court are contagious, and the ones in the stands are even bigger.
Jenn Mills: The second we get that diagnosis as parents, it’s like, gosh, I hope that we can find places where they fit in and where they feel valued and seen, and that’s what ACEing Autism does for Luke.
Cicini: The organization is taking volunteers from all levels of experience of all ages. That’s it for sports. Volleying this one back to you guys, I’m Joey Cicini.
MANLIUS, N.Y. (NCC News)— For many young athletes, dreams of playing on tennis’ biggest stage begin with a racket and a court. At the Manlius YMCA, those dreams may not end at Wimbledon, but the joy, confidence and unforgettable moments feel just as big.
Every week, players with ACEing Autism take the court not only to learn tennis skills, but to build friendships and create a space where everyone belongs.
“ACEing Autism Tennis helps me learn the game of tennis,” said player Luke Mills. “It is fun and I love to play with my friends.”
ACEing Autism is a national nonprofit organization designed to serve children and individuals on the autism spectrum through tennis workouts. Their mission is simple: create an environment where neurodivergent athletes feel welcomed, included and empowered through sports.
At the Syracuse program, those goals are becoming reality one rally at a time.
“I think just seeing how happy the kids are and seeing them have a great time,” said Syracuse program director Eileen Horgan. “It’s been so awesome to see them making friends with the other players and just seeing everybody kind of come out of their shell.”
Founded in 2008, ACEing Autism has expanded into more than 230 branches across 32 states, bringing adaptive tennis opportunities to communities nationwide.
One of the people helping drive that growth locally is Buffalo program director Kathy Connelly.
Connelly has a deep personal connection to kids on the spectrum. Growing up with her sister Marni, who has autism, she developed an understanding of the importance of inclusive spaces. Combined with her passion for tennis, she felt called to bring the program’s mission to more families.
“I bring tennis and a familiarity with people with autism,” Connelly said. “I really feel I was meant to do this, I was drawn to do it, and a tennis court is a very happy place and a great place to bring people together.”
That sense of belonging reaches beyond the players.
Parents watching from the sidelines see the impact extends far beyond learning forehands and serves.
“The second we get that diagnosis as parents, it’s like, gosh, I hope that we can find places where they fit in and where they feel valued and seen,” said Luke’s mother, Jenn Mills. “And that’s what ACEing Autism does for Luke.”
At ACEing Autism, every match point is about something bigger than winning. It’s about creating a place where every player gets their moment to shine.