by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
“Bring Washington together” and “help local charitable partners” were two main tenants that Mark Ein set out to achieve when he brought the Kastles tennis team to DC, and last night’s Second Annual Kastles Charity Classic proved the success of those goals.
Mark Ein
“We’re gonna prove we can put everyone together on the team tennis courts in Washington DC” said Ein, talking about how the teams in the tournament would be a mix of politicians from both sides of the aisle, members of the media and of course members of the record-breaking Washington Kastles.
The evening started off a bit soggy with a sudden summer downpour, but it wasn’t going to stop the fun and philanthropy that was at work to support the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Food & Friends & the DC Education Fund. VIP supporters gathered for snacks and cocktails beforehand and got a chance to try their own hand at the sport thanks to a number of virtual tennis displays brought by the Entertainment Software Association.
Kastles Star and recent Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Martina Hingis helped to lead a sharp bunch of players for the ‘Stars team’ that included Ed Henry and Brett Baier from FOX News, Director of National Economic Council, Gene Sperling, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, Alan Krueger, and several members of Congress.
Across the net, their opponents, the equally impressive ‘Stripes Team’ featured Bloomberg’s Hans Nichols and Peter Cook, ABC’s Jonathon Karl, former Senator John Breaux, and the towering host of NBC’s Meet The Press, David Gregory. Also joining the Stripes team was ‘Kastles Closer’ Bobby Reynolds and team owner Mark Ein.
Ed Henry noted “I have a friend who plays with [David] Gregory, said he’s a great athlete” when asked who he was looking forward to facing on the court. He said it wasn’t a serious rivalry though, “it’s for a great cause.” Meanwhile, Gregory said he was most “interested to see how my partner Jon Karl plays…and I really wanna play with Martina Hingis. We’ll see if that happens.”
Ed Henry
The rivalry was fun and full of spirit as the teams volleyed back and forth, especially when Ein hit the court. Kastles captain Leander Paes was quick to remind his fellow Kastles that they were facing their boss in that matchup and the use caution. The crowd loved it, as well the commentary of evening from WTOP’s George Wallace and CNN’s Jessica Yellin. Both broadcasters added snark and a touch of DC context to each point. Yellin quipped at one point that the ball needed more spin, and maybe a call to Jay Carney would yield the needed instruction.
David Gregory
In the end, the Stripes triumphed 42-39, and David Gregory and DC United Coach Ben Olsen were named MVPs of the night.
Game. Set. Match.
The Scene: video by Janet Donovan
