In a landmark event that underscores both the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the sport of tennis, USTA Florida has awarded its inaugural HBCU Tennis Program Grant to Edward Waters University. This significant grant, valued at $100,000, was officially announced during a ceremony held at the Edward Waters University Tennis Complex.
The grant aims to provide essential funding to bolster tennis programs at HBCUs across the state. The grant is designed to address various needs within the EWU tennis program, which just completed its inaugural season earlier this year.
Laura Bowen, executive director of USTA Florida, spoke passionately about the grant’s significance. “This grant is more than just money,” she said. “Today marks an important shift in USTA Florida’s history of service to our state and to the beautiful sport of tennis.” With this support, EWU can enhance its tennis facilities, procure necessary equipment, offer scholarships to Florida students, and invest in coach education.
Supporting The Young Program
Dr. Ivana Rich, associate vice president and director of athletics at EWU, expressed her gratitude for the grant and outlined her vision for the tennis program’s future. “We are deeply grateful to USTA Florida for awarding Edward Waters University this HBCU College Tennis Program Grant,” Dr. Rich remarked. “It represents a significant step forward for our newly established women’s tennis program and reinforces our commitment to providing quality athletic opportunities for our student-athletes. This support will enable us to enhance our tennis offerings, provide an exceptional experience for our student-athletes, and engage more of our community in the sport of tennis.”
Head Coach Marc Atkinson also expressed his excitement about the grant’s potential impact. “This HBCU Tennis grant will have a transformative effect on our tennis program and the student-athletes it serves,” he said. “With this grant, we will be able to purchase new equipment and training tools for our players, offer additional scholarships to attract talented student-athletes, and enhance our travel budget to compete in more tournaments”
As the team prepares for the upcoming 2025 season, many players expressed their thanks to USTA Florida, eager to see the improvements and opportunities this grant will bring. “These improvements will not only benefit our current tennis players but will also help us attract and develop future talent, elevating the entire program to new heights,” Coach Atkinson added.
In closing the event, Bowen reaffirmed USTA Florida’s dedication to supporting EWU and other HBCUs in the future. “This grant comes with a promise that we will continue to be your partner in growing this program for as long as it is in existence. We will stay connected with you, and together, we will develop more ways to support Edward Waters tennis,” she said.
