EDINBURG – After wrapping up her life in Texas, former women's tennis player Leah Hampton moved back home with her family to Eugene, Oregon.
 
Hampton was a student-athlete from 1987-91, graduating with degrees in rehab services and education. Now she is an Institutional Special Education assistant and finds her part time job to be exactly what she needs in order to balance work and family.
 
"Both me and my husband, Tony, graduated from Pan Am," Hampton said. "Once we had our kids, we realized how important it was to be close to family, so we decided to move closer to home. Tony was able to get a job in Eugene while I stayed home with the kids to raise them. Then our life in Oregon began."
 
As a kid, Hampton had one goal: go to school and play tennis. When one of her friends referred her to head coach David Cross, everything simply fell into place. They exchanged a couple of words over the phone, and shortly thereafter, Hampton was making her way to the Rio Grande Valley to continue her education and tennis career.
 
"One of my tennis friends knew she wanted to go to Pan Am because of the business school," Hampton said. "She gave my name to Coach Cross, and the whole thing was done over the phone. It was definitely my best offer. The fact that it was DI made the distance from home a secondary thing to me. I just wanted to play tennis."
 
Although apprehensive at first, Hampton built a family in the Valley comprised of her teammates. Hampton was always engaged in the challenges that came along with being a student-athlete and can say that her experience led her to some of her most beloved relationships and friendships.
 
"Our team was quite special, especially my freshman class," Hampton said. "It was challenging, but we were there for each other. We are all still friends to this day. We don't see each other often, but when we do, we know we shared that special time together. Competing, training, living together… those were the most influential times in our lives because we learned so much from those experiences."
 
Growing up in British Columbia, Canada, Hampton knew anywhere she went would be a major adjustment for her. Although, the struggles she faced would be the factor that led Hampton to love the game of tennis again.
 
"As a junior competitor growing up, I went through a burnout phase, like we all do," Hampton said, "But Pan Am led me to enjoy the sport again, and I still do, to this day."
 
Hampton was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past spring for her outstanding achievements and stellar performances. She doesn't see it that way, though. Throughout her time at Pan Am, Hampton learned much more than how to play the game of tennis, or how to balance her studies. The things she went through and the adversity she faced provided her with the opportunities to grow into a communicator, teacher, and leader.
 
"I'd never worked so hard in my life," Hampton said. "Time management and having the courage to compete was just a couple of the life lessons I learned and can now apply to my life. If anything, the day to day influence that being a student athlete had on me is what I am most thankful for."
 
Hampton is the program record holder in overall career wins (109), and graduated as the program record holder for career singles wins (64, now ranks second). She also graduated ranked third in career doubles wins (45, now ranks fifth). Now a Hall of Famer, Hampton reflects on her achievement as a humbling experienced that further emphasizes the influence tennis has had on her life.
 
"It came as a lovely surprise," Hampton said. "It was great, and another piece of Pan Am that I have to keep. It was a wonderful feeling, especially to have my family there to support me at the ceremony. I was rewarded with a record that got me recognized by the Hall of Fame committee, but the biggest reward was the life skills I learned and can share with my family."
 
Now that her competition days have ended, Hampton remains highly involved with the sport and enjoys watching her son play at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.
 
"I always hoped that he would have the opportunity to play collegiately," Hampton said. "Tennis has been a huge influence in our lives, and I am so thankful for Coach Cross and the opportunities he gave me, which are now being received by my kids as well."
 
To this day, you can find Hampton on a tennis court with her family, just like during her days at Pan Am. Whether it's her teammates or her son, Hampton's home is on the court with the people she loves. After all, that's where it all began. 

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