USTA's Philanthropic Initiative Introduces USTA Serves - Foundation for Academics. Character. Education.

New Title Replaces USTA Tennis & Education Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Seth Sylvan (Community Tennis) & Chris Widmaier (Pro Tennis)
sylvan@usta.com / widmaier@usta.com

07/28/08 - The USTA today announced the USTA Tennis & Education Foundation will be re-branded as USTA Serves – Foundation for Academics. Character. Excellence. (ACE). With the new title, the 14-year-old Foundation will continue its mission of changing lives through tennis and education.

The re-brand will heighten awareness of the Foundation’s philanthropic initiatives. The ACE acronym, which focuses on life skills that stretch well beyond tennis, will also broaden the public’s understanding of the Foundation’s mission.

Since its creation, USTA Serves has raised over $8 million and disbursed approximately $6 million in its “Aces for Kids” grants and $2 million in college scholarships. The non-profit entity of the USTA, the Foundation is committed to teaching the basic values embedded in both tennis and education -- leadership, discipline, teamwork and fun. USTA Serves also helps fund USA Tennis National Junior Tennis League programs and supports initiatives that provide positive role models to reach as many disadvantaged youngsters as possible through tennis and education.

USTA Serves works to increase funding and expansion of community programs to support the inclusion of tennis as a motivator in school achievement and has bestowed over 150 scholarships over the last two years. Among the many programs USTA Serves has supported are Break the Barriers, Inc., which introduced tennis to nearly 500 disabled children in 2007; and First Serve-New Mexico, which provides Santa Fe students with after-school tennis and academic instruction to decrease the likelihood that they will drop out of school.

“We believe the new brand -- USTA Serves -- will create a stronger and more recognizable identity and broaden our reach to change as many lives as possible through tennis and education,” said Patrick McEnroe, President, USTA Serves Board of Directors.

“This new brand creates a number of innovative and exciting opportunities for the Foundation while maintaining our status as the USTA’s philanthropic branch,” said Karen Martin-Eliezer, Executive Director, USTA Serves. “The more recognizable name will increase visibility to both funding recipients and prospective donors ultimately serving our mission.”

For fundraising support, USTA Serves annually coordinates events such as the OPENing Gala on Opening Night of the US Open and a Pro Am on the final Friday of the US Open, allowing fans to play with their favorite tennis legends. The 2007 Pro Am raised $86,000 for the Foundation. Additionally, USTA Serves launched the Avenue of Aces, a series of personalized pavers built into a special walkway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center memorializing those who have donated significant amounts to the Foundation.

The new brand identity is now being incorporated into all USTA materials, including newsletters, the USTA website, and other promotional mediums. Donations to USTA Serves can be made at http://foundationgiving.usta.com or by calling (914) 696-7223.

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