The Ezekiel Davis Sportsmanship Award
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At this, the 18th Mary Diaz and William Copeland Jr. Memorial Tennis Tournament, we are humbled to rename the award for sportsmanship in memory of Ezekiel (Zek) LaTraun Davis. This annual award recognizes a player who embodies a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity and general goodwill toward an opponent. Ten years ago, Zek, just 14 years old, was the winner. He was chosen for having the discipline, perspective and poise to do what is best for his fellow competitors and to set an example of excellence in the tennis community.
Tragically, Ezekiel was killed on August 4, 2023 by gun violence.
Ezekiel was born to Elegra Davis and Robert Jones Jr. on September 10, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. Elegra recalls her son’s birth after three days of difficult labor. “When he first opened his eyes, it was like he was opening a window onto the universe. He had a very calm presence and a comfort in his own skin,” she remembered. When Zek was three, he went to visit his grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Brown, in rural Mississippi. She had grown up on a farm so was determined that he learn to eat more natural foods like beans and oatmeal. But Ezekiel was not interested. One night, “Nanny” told him it was time for bed. Not wanting to miss a moment in her company, Zek suddenly asked for beans and oatmeal. It was a story she would joyfully repeat to him for years.
Elegra shared that as a child, Ezekiel was creative, kind, and a natural leader. “When I dropped him at daycare for the first time, I was a nervous wreck,” she laughed. “But of course when I went to get him, he was sitting at a table surrounded by other kids, having the time of his life.” A hard worker, Zek started a lemonade stand with neighborhood friends when he was eight. A few years later, he was mowing lawns and shoveling snow. One day, Elegra received a call from an elderly neighbor who said that not only was Ezekiel doing many of her chores, he frequently checked in on her to make sure she was okay. “Your son is heaven sent,” the woman relayed.
In middle school, Zek began doing service work with his church, including community clean-ups and a food pantry. He was mentored by Youth Minister, Pastor Curtis and awarded a Black Enterprise “Teen-Preneur” Scholarship. In high school, Ezekiel grew passionate about tennis and soccer. His innate athleticism and commitment to self-improvement helped him excel in both sports. Zek studied business administration at Bluffton College for 1.5 years, where he started every soccer game as a mid-fielder.
Perhaps Ezekiel’s proudest moment came almost two years ago when he became a father to Kacey Amiri Willis. Elegra says her grandson looks exactly as Zek did at that age. He has a similar buoyant humor. Kacey’s mom recently graduated from nursing school and is an “exceptional mother.” Elegra was deeply moved watching her son grow into the responsibility of parenthood. “Ezekiel always understood inclusiveness, the importance of people’s feelings, the need to lift others up. He knew there was a purpose much bigger than himself.”
In reflecting on the Ezekiel Davis Sportsmanship Award, Elegra recalled how much he enjoyed the tournament and felt welcomed by the players and organizers (his paternal grandmother had pancreatic cancer). “The principles of unity and teamwork were important to Zek. But he was also funny, silly and joyful,” Elegra noted. “I’m pretty sure he’s smiling down at us.”