A groundbreaking story cements its legacy at South Bend’s Leeper Park

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Venues Parks and Arts held a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the tennis courts at Leeper Park.

The tennis community is hoping to bring players of all ages and abilities to the courts, but more importantly, they are remembering David Filer. David was a beloved member of the South Bend tennis community but tragically passed away due to brain cancer.

Pamela Mozdzierz, David’s mom, said that he gravitated toward tennis even as a child.

"He just loved tennis, as soon as he was a little boy, anything with a ball, so tennis was a natural thing for him to go to," said Mozdzierz.

David started playing tennis before he was even three years old and rose to the top quickly. By the age of sixteen he was number one in the Midwest and number two in the nation, and the South Bend community recognizes his hard work and determination.

"David was a young man who committed his life to tennis and dedicated his career to getting better and for the love of that sport and that commitment to his community," said Jeff Jarnecke, the Executive Director of Visit South Bend Mishawaka.

This talent and hard work was known not just in South Bend, but also across the country. David Filer, his father, said that his son had an impact on his friends from all over.

"I mean he had friends from around the country, actually. He had friends from Los Angeles to South Carolina to Miami to New York,” said Filer.

His love for tennis stretched throughout his life, giving him strength for even the toughest challenges. David died of brain cancer at the age of sixteen in 2023. Throughout his journey, he kept close the skills he learned with just a ball and a racquet.

"It gave him confidence, purpose, and joy,” said Darla Lippert, a member of South Bend Community Tennis Association. "It taught him how to stay focused under pressure and to push through life’s toughest challenges."

David's story is now cemented at Leeper Park, and the tennis community hopes to share his story with everyone who visits the courts.

"The greatest hope is that every child that comes here to Leeper Park is that they pick up a racket and they remember David’s story,” said Lippert. “They learn about David’s story and they’re inspired to chase their own dreams with the same heart, the same grit, the same determination and hope that he did."

Construction is aiming to be done at the end of September, just in time for the first National David Filer Memorial Tournament.