USTA Honors Former New York City Mayor Dinkins With NJTL Founders’ Service Award

The USTA has presented former New York City Mayor David Dinkins with its USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Founders’ Service Award. Mayor Dinkins was recognized for his outstanding contribution in helping grow tennis at the local level. He was honored at the USTA Annual Meeting on March 19 in Carlsbad, Calif.

Now in its second year, the award was created to recognize an individual who is committed to positive youth development through tennis and education, delivers outstanding service to underserved children with free or low-cost tennis, and provides education and life-skills programming. The award will be given each year to those best reflecting the values of NJTL founders Arthur Ashe, Charles Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder.

Dinkins is a committed member of the New York Junior Tennis League, NYJTL Youth Centers Inc., and New York City Sports Commission, and he also serves on the boards of the Children’s Health Fund, the Association to Benefit Children and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. For his outstanding leadership and legacy of service within the tennis industry, Dinkins also has been named a lifetime member of the USTA’s Eastern Section.

Dinkins has served as an emeritus member of the NJTL committee for six years. He has also supported NJTL from the chapter level and as a member of the USTA Board of Directors and as a friend of Ashe, he made sure that new NJTL programs were consistent with the tennis champion’s vision.

“The entire tennis community has benefitted from the dedication, passion and devotion of Mayor Dinkins,” said Kurt Kamperman, chief executive of community tennis for the USTA. “As an advocate of NJTLs, his commitment to youth tennis stretches far beyond the New York area – not only through tennis but also by emphasizing the importance of education and character, representing the values established by NJTL founders Arthur Ashe, Charles Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder.”

The USTA Annual Meeting and Conference brings together USTA leadership, national staff, national committee members and section volunteers and staff in pursuit of the USTA mission: To promote and develop the growth of tennis. Along with leadership and committee meetings, the Annual Meeting provides educational opportunities for all attendees to develop and enhance their personal and professional skills and learn new ways to promote the game.