REPORT:NCCU TENNIS RECEIVES $38K THROUGH GRANTS, INCLUDING ONE IN CELEBRATION OF…
NCCU TENNIS RECEIVES $38K THROUGH GRANTS, INCLUDING ONE IN CELEBRATION OF COCO GAUFF’S 2023 US OPEN WIN
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) recently received $38,000 in grants to refurbish its on-campus tennis courts. The funding was provided by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), with $21,000 coming directly from the national organization, $12,000 from USTA Southern, and $5,000 from USTA North Carolina.
This significant financial support is part of the US Open Legacy Initiative, which was launched to commemorate Coco Gauff’s victory at the 2023 US Open.
The initiative aims to enhance tennis infrastructure across the country, with the USTA pledging $3 million to this cause.
Coco Gauff, a tennis champion, expressed her gratitude in a press release, emphasizing the importance of making tennis more accessible.
She praised the USTA for its continued efforts to invest in public parks and youth programs.
NCCU’s tennis program has also engaged with local organizations to ensure the public can benefit from the renovated courts.
The head men’s tennis coach and director of tennis at NCCU, D.
Curtis Lawson, expressed pride in being the first college to receive a Community Hub grant under this initiative.
He noted that while NCCU may have only four courts, they are among the best on the East Coast, having hosted various events, including nationally ranked Division I matches, USTA Adult League practices, NJTL events, and more. Lawson also highlighted NCCU’s historical significance as the first HBCU to be featured in a College Match Day dual match.
The US Open Legacy Initiative is a continuation of the USTA’s long-standing commitment to funding tennis infrastructure.
Since 2005, the USTA has awarded over $17 million in grants and contributed over $610 million towards infrastructure development. USTA CEO Lew Sherr underscored the importance of investing in public tennis facilities as part of the organization’s mission to promote healthier communities.
He also noted that the initiative, inspired by Gauff’s victory, would have a lasting impact on communities nationwide.
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