Intercollegiate Tennis Association Announces ITA Community Service Month

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has announced the creation of the ITA Community Service Month. Taking place during the month of October, the ITA Community Service Month encourages teams across all five divisions of collegiate tennis to get out and volunteer their time in their respective communities.

"A great measure of success of our ITA tennis programs is that they are fully embedded in the lives of their campuses and in their communities," said ITA Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Russell. "The ITA Community Service Month will represent the totality of the body of work of all of our ITA programs combined in giving back as true leaders."

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The ITA staff, along with the Arizona State men's and women's tennis teams, hosted a community event on Saturday, August 19, Tempe Tennis Day, which featured over 80 area kids partaking in fun tennis and off-court games, to informally kick off the ITA Community Service Month.

Tempe Tennis Day also featured representation from All About Tennis, the Northern Arizona and Mesa Community College tennis programs, in addition to Arizona State Vice President of University Athletics Ray Anderson and his wife, Buffie, who spearheaded ASU's move to reinstate its men's tennis program.

"To have the (ASU) men's and women's teams together, just the energy that we both bring, is great," said Arizona State women's tennis head coach Sheila McInerney. "This is by far the biggest turnout we have ever had. It is certainly something we will continue to do."

Arizona State men's tennis head coach Matt Hill added: "This is more than just winning college tennis matches for us; it's about really engaging and serving the community that we live in."

During October, the ITA will promote its student-athletes and their service outside of the tennis court. Institutions across all five divisions of college tennis will be recognized for their community service while the ITA tabulates total hours and number of participants for all of college tennis. Each participating school will receive a certificate of participation following the competition, and have an opportunity to be a part of the extensive media coverage that month.

To submit community service events to the ITA:
1.    Participate in a community service event of the institution's choosing
2.    After completing the event, fill out the Google form: Click here
a.    Please choose only a few of your best photos from each event
3.    The ITA will update information every Wednesday and promote via social media
4.    At the end of the month, the ITA will be compiling all submitted information and each participating institution will receive a certificate

Examples of community service are an event for the Team Luke Foundation; run a free tennis event for your local community; partner with Acing Autism; visit a children's hospital; volunteer at the local food bank; participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month events; volunteer for Habitat for Humanity; volunteer at a retirement home; etc.

If you need ideas or have questions, please reach out to:
Mary Edman - medman@itatennis.com
Nicole LaDuca - nladuca@itatennis.com