Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Tennis Approved for USTA/ITA Community Outreach Grant
11/10/2004 7:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Nov. 10, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. -The Bucknell men's and women's tennis programs have received a generous Community Outreach grant by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and International Tennis Association (ITA). The funds will provide the Bison coaches and student-athletes an opportunity to interact with members of the local community who are interested in tennis, through special clinics and other instruction.
"I've been involved with tennis in many capacities; as a player, instructor, coach and advisor to Special Olympics," said Bucknell head tennis coach Rebecca Helt. "Tennis is a fantastic, life-long sport. It is my hope that with this grant, we can provide an opportunity for students, faculty and members of the Bucknell and Lewisburg community to receive free tennis instruction throughout the year."
The grant was awarded to 32 collegiate programs as part of the USTA/ITA Community Outreach program. The goal of the program, first and foremost, is to get members of the campus community, as well as the local population, involved in tennis.
"Our goal is to start something through the winter and pick it back up in the summertime," said Helt, who applied for the grant on behalf of Bucknell. "We plan to use the grant to provide balls, demo rackets, props and prizes. We will also use it to help with the advertising costs."
Bucknell has an extensive outdoor tennis complex adjacent to Gerhard Fieldhouse, featuring 10 hard courts. Indoor space is also available inside Gerhard Fieldhouse during periods of inclement weather.
For more information on future tennis programming at Bucknell, contact the tennis office at 570-577-3598, or check the men's or women's tennis page at www.BucknellBison.com.
Bucknell sponsors 26 intercollegiate sports, including 14 for women, at the Division I level (I-AA in football). It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 11 of the 14 years it has been contested, including the last seven in a row. Bucknell led the nation with a 100 percent graduation rate in the most recent survey and ranks third in Division I in producing Academic All-Americans.
