WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY TO RECEIVE USTA GRANTS TOTALING $122,000
8/16/2023 10:00:00 AM | General, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
Grant funds to be used towards new lighting at Wake Forest Tennis Complex, home of the Demon Deacons men’s and women’s tennis programs and the Winston-Salem Open
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., August 16, 2023 – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced that it has awarded a $55,000 Tennis Venue Services grant to Wake Forest University, while USTA Southern has awarded an additional $55,000 and USTA North Carolina added $12,000.
The USTA's Tennis Venue Services grant program is designed to enhance existing tennis venues and construct new ones in order to provide increased playing opportunities in communities across the country. Since 2005, the Tennis Venue Services team has awarded more than $16 million in grants, impacting more than 42,000 tennis courts and more than $586 million of infrastructure development.
The grant funds will be used towards installing new LED lights for the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. The facility is utilized by Wake Forest's men's and women's varsity tennis programs, as well as the Winston-Salem Open, an ATP 250 event that fields over 80 professional tennis players, attracts over 33,000 fans and is broadcast in over 125 countries and domestically via the Tennis Channel. The lights are expected to be installed prior to this year's tournament, which begins August 19. The tennis lighting project elevates the viewing experience for players, spectators and the broadcast audience and coincides with lighting and safety upgrades taking place at the adjacent Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, the home of Wake Forest football.
"We are committed to supporting the enhancement and construction of tennis facilities in communities across the country," said Craig Morris, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "Investing in the development of tennis facilities nationwide not only fulfills the USTA's mission of growing the sport of tennis, but also provides the opportunity to enjoy lifelong healthy activity through tennis for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds."
USTA Southern President & CEO Brett Schwartz, said, "Our $55k investment in the Wake Forest facility demonstrates our commitment to facility enhancement in the Southern Section. We believe first-class facilities are paramount in the attraction and retention of new and existing tennis players."
"On behalf of Wake Forest University and the Winston-Salem tennis community, we are extremely grateful to the United States Tennis Association for their investment in one of the premier facilities in the state of North Carolina and the southeast," Wake Forest director of athletics John Currie said. "These LED lights will enhance the competitive experience for the athletes and the viewing experience for both fans in attendance and broadcast audiences watching the Deacs and Winston Salem Open tennis around the world."
"The generosity the USTA has shown us at Winston-Salem Professional Tennis and the Winston-Salem Open is humbling," added Winston-Salem Open Tournament Director Jeff Ryan. "The funds USTA has awarded us not only benefit the tournament, but also Wake Forest University's athletic programs, and, by extension the community of Winton-Salem. We are always looking for ways to positively impact this wonderful city we call home, which is just what our mission is – to be a world-class, international event that showcases Winston-Salem and gives back to the community that is so supportive."
In order to ensure communities have access to safe, appealing and functional tennis environments, grant recipients also receive start-to-finish project management assistance from the USTA's Tennis Venue Services team which provides industry-leading experience in tennis court and facility design, as well as technical assistance, including construction document review and business development insight to ensure the facilities can deliver tennis at a high-level.
# # #
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
For more information, contact:
Dan Pyser, USTA Corporate Communications, (407) 462-3184, daniel.pyser@usta.com
About Wake Forest Men's & Women's Tennis & Wake Forest's Tennis Complex / Jim Leighton Courts
Wake Forest and Winston-Salem are proud to have hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Championships for men's tennis six times (2007, 2015-19, 2021) and the NCAA Super Regional in 2019. In addition, the Deacs hosted the women's tennis first and second rounds in 2000 and 2002.
Wake Forest University and the Wake Forest Tennis Complex also served as host for the 2018 NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Championships. Wake Forest and Winston-Salem is also the home of an annual ATP Tour event, the Winston-Salem Open, which made its debut in 2011 and is one of only ten ATP Tour events in the United States.
Annually, the event draws over 40,000 tennis fans from around the country. In 2016, the tournament received recognition as one of the ATP World Tour 250 Tournaments of the Year and was awarded the ATP Tour 250 Tournament of the Year.
Wake's men's tennis program has made 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, including seven consecutive entering the 2024 season. The Demon Deacons won their first ever NCAA title in 2018 playing at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex, while Petros Chrysochos and Borna Gojo faced off for the singles title. In 2019, Wake made a run to the finals of the NCAA Tournament, but came up just short of their second consecutive title. The Deacs were crowned ACC Tournament champions in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
The Demon Deacons women's program has also earned 22 NCAA Tournament appearances while Coach Wyshner has led the Deacs to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently having advanced to the second round this past 2022 spring. In the history of the program, Wake Forest have had seven players earn 10 total individual All-American honors while having seven doubles teams earn All-American honors. In 2002, three-time All-American Bea Bielik captured the singles National Championship.
Hosting events at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex & Jim Leighton Courts is a great source of pride for our University and the entire Winston-Salem community.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 5 athletics in a top-growing metro market. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 55 conference titles and are now one of only seven ACC schools to win 10 or more national championships, along with Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Syracuse and Florida State. Additionally, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which includes 1.3M residents and was ranked as ESPN's seventh-best market from a viewership perspective
Academically, Wake Forest University is ranked in the Top 30 Nationally by US News and World Report for the past 27 years (and counting) and ranked 21st Nationally in Undergraduate Teaching according to the 2022-23 US News and World Report. Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest holds campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing academic offerings across the southeast.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
The USTA's Tennis Venue Services grant program is designed to enhance existing tennis venues and construct new ones in order to provide increased playing opportunities in communities across the country. Since 2005, the Tennis Venue Services team has awarded more than $16 million in grants, impacting more than 42,000 tennis courts and more than $586 million of infrastructure development.
The grant funds will be used towards installing new LED lights for the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. The facility is utilized by Wake Forest's men's and women's varsity tennis programs, as well as the Winston-Salem Open, an ATP 250 event that fields over 80 professional tennis players, attracts over 33,000 fans and is broadcast in over 125 countries and domestically via the Tennis Channel. The lights are expected to be installed prior to this year's tournament, which begins August 19. The tennis lighting project elevates the viewing experience for players, spectators and the broadcast audience and coincides with lighting and safety upgrades taking place at the adjacent Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, the home of Wake Forest football.
"We are committed to supporting the enhancement and construction of tennis facilities in communities across the country," said Craig Morris, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "Investing in the development of tennis facilities nationwide not only fulfills the USTA's mission of growing the sport of tennis, but also provides the opportunity to enjoy lifelong healthy activity through tennis for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds."
USTA Southern President & CEO Brett Schwartz, said, "Our $55k investment in the Wake Forest facility demonstrates our commitment to facility enhancement in the Southern Section. We believe first-class facilities are paramount in the attraction and retention of new and existing tennis players."
"On behalf of Wake Forest University and the Winston-Salem tennis community, we are extremely grateful to the United States Tennis Association for their investment in one of the premier facilities in the state of North Carolina and the southeast," Wake Forest director of athletics John Currie said. "These LED lights will enhance the competitive experience for the athletes and the viewing experience for both fans in attendance and broadcast audiences watching the Deacs and Winston Salem Open tennis around the world."
"The generosity the USTA has shown us at Winston-Salem Professional Tennis and the Winston-Salem Open is humbling," added Winston-Salem Open Tournament Director Jeff Ryan. "The funds USTA has awarded us not only benefit the tournament, but also Wake Forest University's athletic programs, and, by extension the community of Winton-Salem. We are always looking for ways to positively impact this wonderful city we call home, which is just what our mission is – to be a world-class, international event that showcases Winston-Salem and gives back to the community that is so supportive."
In order to ensure communities have access to safe, appealing and functional tennis environments, grant recipients also receive start-to-finish project management assistance from the USTA's Tennis Venue Services team which provides industry-leading experience in tennis court and facility design, as well as technical assistance, including construction document review and business development insight to ensure the facilities can deliver tennis at a high-level.
# # #
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
For more information, contact:
Dan Pyser, USTA Corporate Communications, (407) 462-3184, daniel.pyser@usta.com
About Wake Forest Men's & Women's Tennis & Wake Forest's Tennis Complex / Jim Leighton Courts
Wake Forest and Winston-Salem are proud to have hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Championships for men's tennis six times (2007, 2015-19, 2021) and the NCAA Super Regional in 2019. In addition, the Deacs hosted the women's tennis first and second rounds in 2000 and 2002.
Wake Forest University and the Wake Forest Tennis Complex also served as host for the 2018 NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Championships. Wake Forest and Winston-Salem is also the home of an annual ATP Tour event, the Winston-Salem Open, which made its debut in 2011 and is one of only ten ATP Tour events in the United States.
Annually, the event draws over 40,000 tennis fans from around the country. In 2016, the tournament received recognition as one of the ATP World Tour 250 Tournaments of the Year and was awarded the ATP Tour 250 Tournament of the Year.
Wake's men's tennis program has made 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, including seven consecutive entering the 2024 season. The Demon Deacons won their first ever NCAA title in 2018 playing at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex, while Petros Chrysochos and Borna Gojo faced off for the singles title. In 2019, Wake made a run to the finals of the NCAA Tournament, but came up just short of their second consecutive title. The Deacs were crowned ACC Tournament champions in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
The Demon Deacons women's program has also earned 22 NCAA Tournament appearances while Coach Wyshner has led the Deacs to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently having advanced to the second round this past 2022 spring. In the history of the program, Wake Forest have had seven players earn 10 total individual All-American honors while having seven doubles teams earn All-American honors. In 2002, three-time All-American Bea Bielik captured the singles National Championship.
Hosting events at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex & Jim Leighton Courts is a great source of pride for our University and the entire Winston-Salem community.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 5 athletics in a top-growing metro market. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 55 conference titles and are now one of only seven ACC schools to win 10 or more national championships, along with Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Syracuse and Florida State. Additionally, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which includes 1.3M residents and was ranked as ESPN's seventh-best market from a viewership perspective
Academically, Wake Forest University is ranked in the Top 30 Nationally by US News and World Report for the past 27 years (and counting) and ranked 21st Nationally in Undergraduate Teaching according to the 2022-23 US News and World Report. Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest holds campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing academic offerings across the southeast.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
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