Andy Crane spent his entire adult life working in public service: first as a public defender in Vermont before rising to become Defender General. He then became the Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission in Massachusetts, a position he held until 1995. He could have spent the rest of his career in private practice, before retiring.
Instead, a love of tennis and helping kids led Andy to change careers and become the director of Tenacity, which, in 1999, was a fledgling inner-city tennis and reading program.
Under his leadership, Tenacity has thrived. His impact was felt off the court as well. Throughout his tenure, he’s had a half-dozen teenage boys live with him for varying lengths of time. One, Luis Sanchez, had a life that was spiraling out of control in 2004; he’s currently a junior on full scholarship at Boston College, where he’s majoring in communications. Another, Vatana Phy, came to America at the age of 9. He came out as gay as a freshman in high school and graduated from MATCH charter high school last year, having overcome a severe dyslexic condition.
Tenacity—and the program’s kids—have been Andy’s life for the past 11 years.
He was featured on Fox 25 Boston this morning. Check out the video:
About Nick Lehr
Vocalyze
“When I was in a men’s group in 1972, I distinctly remember feeling edgy when we would hug.”
“My son and daughter keep reminding me that things are changing.” The times they are a changin’ (comment and Marco Magnani video cover of Bob Dylan song.)