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The USTA Tennis On Campus program is proud to honor a Tennis On Campus Leader and Club who have made significant contributions to the USTA Tennis On Campus program on their respective campus each year.  2009 marked the first year that these prestigious awards were granted. 
2014 Tennis On Campus Club of the Year Award - Ferris State University
Ferris State at Nationals for Web
Ferris State University is the recipient of the 2014 USTA Tennis On Campus Club
of the Year Award.  They will be presented their award during the awards banquet
at the National Championship in Surprise, AZ on April 13, 2014.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has named Ferris State University’s (FSU) club tennis team as the 2013-14 Tennis On Campus National Club of the Year. The award is presented annually to the college or university club tennis team that has achieved a level of sustained excellence, while also demonstrating a commitment to giving back to their local community. The honor brings with it an automatic bid to the 2014 USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship, which will be contested April 10-12, in Surprise, Ariz.

           
“The Ferris State University club tennis team has proven to be exemplary ambassadors not only for the Tennis On Campus program, but more importantly for its community involvement,” said Glenn Arrington, National Manager, USTA Tennis On Campus. “The students’ work around Grand Rapids has provided unparalleled access to tennis and opportunities for local youth. The USTA is proud to present the Bulldogs’ the Tennis On Campus National Club of the Year award.”

The members of the FSU club tennis team have built a robust community service program around Mecosta County. The club has supported Big Rapids CROP Hunger Walks, Project Starburst, the Big Rapids Grow Tennis Initiative and started their own free after-school youth tennis program for local children at the FSU Racquet & Fitness Center.

Club President Newlyn Wing said the club also started its own scholarship program in conjunction with the Professional Tennis Management Student Association at FSU and Big Rapids Community Tennis Association. The Jamel Embree Scholarship Fund was created to provide opportunities for less-fortunate, young tennis players to participate in the sport. Wing said the scholarship fund – honoring his high school coach Jamel Embree – will be continued by FSU’s club tennis team well after he graduates.

“We were also recently honored as ‘Club of the Year’ by the USTA Midwest section,” said Wing, a senior in Ferris State’s Professional Tennis Management program. “And now, to be recognized by the USTA at the national level, it is unbelievable. We’re very humbled by it.”

USTA Tennis On Campus will present the Ferris State club tennis team with its award on Saturday, April 12, at the 2014 USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship, featuring 64 co-ed teams representing colleges and universities throughout the nation. This is the Bulldogs’ second trip to Nationals; their first bid since 2011.
2014 Tennis On Campus Leader of the Year Award - Cooper Anderson
Cooper Anderson at Nationals for Web
Cooper Anderson of Western Washington University was named the recipient of
the 2014 Tennis On Campus Leader of the Year Award.  He will recieve his award
at the TOC National Championship, where his team will be competing for the 15th
year in a row - the only team to do so.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) named Cooper Anderson of Western Washington University, the USTA Tennis On Campus National Leader of the Year for the 2013-2014 season. The award is presented annually to the college student who has made significant contributions to the USTA’s Tennis On Campus program in a manner that benefits the well-being of their fellow students and the surrounding community.


“This is such a great honor,” said Anderson, a 21-year-old junior majoring in business sustainability. “When I took over as president, it was one of my goals to be a great leader and provide the best tennis experiences for students on the Western Washington club tennis team.  To be honored by the USTA on a national level is really just incredible.”

Growing up in Yakima, Wash., Anderson has been playing tennis since the age of seven. He plays doubles and mixed doubles for the Vikings club team. Part of the reason Anderson chose to attend Western Washington was because of the university’s long club tennis history, he said.

Anderson looks forward to leading his team to the USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship in Surprise, Ariz., April 10-12, where the USTA will present his award during the awards ceremony. Western Washington University is the only school that has qualified to attend all 15 TOC National Championships. 

“Cooper represents what Tennis On Campus is all about.” said Glenn Arrington, National Manager, USTA Tennis On Campus. “His love for the game and dedication to his teammates and university are unparalleled. The USTA is proud to present this award to Cooper Anderson.”

In addition to the on-court benefits, Anderson said, “I have learned so much about leadership – planning, decision-making, public speaking – and more importantly I’ve learned a lot about myself. Serving as the TOC club president has been a great life experience.”