ORLANDO, Fla., June 29, 2022 – Recently, the Howard University tennis program received the United States Tennis Association (USTA) David N. Dinkins HBCU Coaching Grant to assist with operations for the upcoming 2022-23 campaign.
The funding will be utilized towards expenses, such as team travel, uniforms, equipment, etc.
"It's an honor to receive the USTA David N. Dinkins HBCU Coaching Grant," Howard Director of Tennis Nicholas Askew said. "Receiving this grant will assist us with our day-to-day operations as we continue our pursuit for conference titles. We would like to thank the USTA, Tennis Industry United and USTA Foundation for their support in helping HBCU coaches and student-athletes."
The USTA, with support from Tennis Industry United and the USTA Foundation, developed the USTA David N. Dinkins HBCU Coaching Grant to support HBCUs tennis programs. The grant is aimed to encourage HBCU student-athletes and current uncertified coaches to become certified, 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.
USTA, in partnership with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), offers free, in-person workshops for HBCU student-athletes. These workshops will be hosted on their college campus or a nearby city. To receive the grant, each university will commit a minimum of five student-athletes and/or coaching staff to complete the workshop.
"The late David N. Dinkins is one of many proud alums to walk our campus," Askew said. "To receive this grant is special to us. Again, we thank everyone involved in this process."
David N. Dinkins was the 106th Mayor of New York City and the first African-American to hold the office. Before entering politics, Dinkins was the first African-American to serve in the U.S. Marines (1945-46). After office, he was a member of the USTA Board of Directors.
Dinkins graduated with honors from Howard University and received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School (1956). In November 2020, he passed away at the age of 93.
Askew and the Bison look to build on last year's success as they continue their pursuit for Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships.