David N. Dinkins HBCU Coaching Grant
The USTA, with support from Tennis Industry United and the USTA Foundation, developed the USTA David N. Dinkins HBCU Coaching Grant that will support HBCUs that currently have varsity tennis programs.
The grant is aimed at encouraging HBCU players (and currently-uncertified coaches) to become certified coaches, providing a valuable personal and professional development opportunity, and an important step to a potential career path in tennis or other sports.
This grant reinforces and expands the tennis industry’s commitment to supporting HBCU collegiate tennis and increasing diversity among certified coaching professionals. Funding from the grants can be used towards expenses to support the HBCU tennis program, such as: team travel expenses, uniforms, and equipment.
USTA U, in partnership with the ITA, will offer free, in-person workshops for HBCU players. These workshops will be hosted on their college campus or a nearby city. In order to receive the grant, each university will commit to a minimum of 5 players (and/or coaching staff, if not already certified) who will complete the workshop. Those interested can contact Darnesha Moore at darnesha.moore@usta.com to set up sessions.
The USTA Diversity & Inclusion department and USTA Foundation will offer up to $2500 per eligible tennis program upon completion of the grant application. Individual grant amounts will be tiered based on the number of participants (players and coaches) at each school, up to a maximum of $2500 per program. For example: a school that certifies a minimum of five (5) participants receives $1500; minimum of 10 participants = $2000; minimum of 15 participants = $2500.
The HBCU tennis program must be a current ITA member in good standing. We would also request that the student-athletes commit a minimum of five (5) hours volunteering with their local NJTL either while in college or within the first year after graduation.
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