Usta Florida announces the HBCU tennis program Grant

With the kind permission of Usta Florida

Jacksonville, Fla. -Usta Florida awarded Edward Waters University (EWU) his first HBCU tennis program, which marks an important milestone in both the history of the university and in Usta Florida.

This event took place on October 7, 2024 in the tennis complex of the Edward Waters University and meant the official start of the HBCU tennis program from Usta Florida, with which HBCU institutions in Florida should provide critical means.

The grant worth 100,000 US dollars will help EWU, the first historically black college of the state, to further develop its tennis program, which played in its first tennis season in early 2024.

Laura Bowen, Managing Director of Usta Florida, emphasized the importance of the grant and the commitment of Usta Florida for HBCUS and the Black Tennis Community. “This grant is more than just money,” she said. “Today is an important change in the history of the service of Usta Florida in our state and beautiful tennis.”

This grant is designed for immediate effects. The EWU can apply the funds to different needs, including court improvements, tennis equipment, scholarships for students in Florida and additional trainer training. Bowen emphasized that this flexibility through conversations with Dr. Ivana Rich, deputy vice president and athletics at the EWU and other HBCU executives in Florida.

Dr. Rich shared her vision for the growth of the university's tennis program and the possibilities that you will create for student athletes. “We are deeply grateful to the Usta Florida that you award Edward Waters University this HBCU College Tennis program Grant,” she said. “It is a considerable step forward for our newly established tennis program for women and strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality sporting opportunities for our student athletes. This support will enable us to improve our tennis offers, to offer our student athletes an extraordinary experience and to participate more from our community in tennis. ”

The team is looking forward to using the scholarship, and head coach Marc Atkinson is looking forward to seeing the effects of the scholarship. “This HBCU tennis subsidy will have a transformative effect on our tennis program and the student athletes that serve it,” he said. “With this grant we can buy new equipment and training instruments for our players, offer additional scholarships to attract talented student athletes and improve our travel budget to take part in further tournaments.”

Many of the players thanked Usta Florida and are ready to make themselves working when the 2025 season approaches. “These improvements will not only benefit our current tennis player, but also help to attract and develop future talents, which increases the entire program to new heights,” added coach Atkinson.

Bowen concluded Usta Florida's commitment to the growth of HBCUS and the support of EWU in every possible way. “This grant is associated with a promise that we will continue to be your partner to expand this program as long as it exists. We will stay in touch with you and together we will develop more options to support Edward Water's tennis. ”

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