USTA Florida Awards Bethune-Cookman Tennis Program $100,000 HBCU Grant 

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA., February 28, 2025 – USTA Florida is proud to announce Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) as the latest recipient of the USTA Florida HBCU Program Support Grant. As part of a $100,000 commitment to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, this funding will help enhance B-CU’s tennis programming, allowing the university to build its first on-campus tennis courts. 

Through this grant, Bethune-Cookman will receive critical support to develop and grow its tennis program, ensuring students have access to quality training, equipment, and coaching. The funding will also allow the university to strengthen its engagement with local youth and community programs, fostering a pipeline for future generations of players. 

“We are honored to assist Bethune-Cookman University, and personally it means a lot to me,” said George Henry, Head Tennis Professional at Play Tennis Gainesville and USTA Florida AMPLIFY Project member. I originally relocated to Florida to be the Head Coach and Tennis Director at B-CU before covid. Little did I know that the university would have such an impact on me as a person. I truly took to heart the motto of ‘enter to learn and depart to serve’. I am very honored to be a part of the USTA Florida Section in providing support for B-CU and all the Florida HBCU”. 

This initiative is part of USTA Florida’s ongoing effort to invest in HBCU tennis programs, providing financial resources and support to enrich the collegiate experience for student-athletes. Bethune-Cookman joins a distinguished group of HBCUs that have benefited from USTA Florida’s commitment to growing the game of tennis at the collegiate level. Previous grant recipients have used funding to improve facilities, increase coaching staff, and introduce new outreach programs that bring tennis to underserved communities. 

“This generous investment from the USTA marks a historic moment for our Wildcat Nation,” said Sherry Paramore, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Bethune-Cookman University. “It represents a commitment to fostering a championship culture –that provides our student athletes with the resources to compete at the highest level both on and off the tennis court.” 

The USTA Florida HBCU Program Support Grant aims to ensure that HBCU tennis programs thrive for years to come. For more information about USTA Florida’s HBCU initiatives, visit ustaflorida.com/amplify.