Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association ("ITA") is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the first year of the newly reimagined ITA Community Service Challenge. As a two month initiative, this challenge encouraged college tennis programs to get out within their local communities to give back to those who have given them so much.
Building on the groundwork laid by the ITA Community Service Month, this updated community focused challenge spanned the length of October and November with prizes being awarded to programs who went above and beyond throughout the two months. Aimed to instill a lifelong commitment to service while showcasing the positive impact student-athletes have beyond the court.
Finishing the challenge in first place was Fresno State Women's Tennis. Led by head coach Denise Dy, Fresno State more than doubled the next closest team in total hours as well as total team score which accounts for the total number of team members participating in the activity.
Using their courts to welcome in the community, Fresno State held adaptive tennis clinics for a local children's hospital, wheelchair tennis clinics alongside their universities club wheelchair tennis program, as well as numerous other activities that brought community members to their courts to take part in activities supported by the volunteers on the women's tennis team. The team will now receive $1,500, the distinction of being awarded the ITA National Community Service Award, and the head coach will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2026 Nitto ATP Finals courtesy of Dunlop.
"The work we do off the court is just as important as the competition on it," stated Fresno State Women's Tennis Head Coach, Denise Dy. "Winning this award confirms the commitment our student-athletes have to giving back to the great community and people of the Central Valley."
Read the full ITA release, here.
ITA Community Service Challenge Standings: Top 20 Finishers
No. 1: Fresno State Women's Tennis
No. 2: University of Louisiana Women's Tennis
No. 3: Texas A&M Kingville Women's Tennis
No. 4: Northwestern – St. Paul Men's Tennis
No. 5: East Carolina Women's Tennis
No. 6: Hobart/William Smith Men's Tennis
No. 7: Belmont University Men's Tennis
No. 8: North Dakota Women's Tennis
No. 9: Northwestern – St. Paul Women's Tennis
No. 10: University of Idaho Men's Tennis
No. 11: Rust College Men's Tennis
No. 12: Western Illinois Women's Tennis
No. 13: Temple Men's Tennis
No. 14: UAB Women's Tennis
No. 15: Tennessee Women's Tennis
No. 16: Rust College Women's Tennis
No. 17: Binghamton Women's Tennis
No. 18: SIUE Women's Tennis
No. 19: University of the Pacific Women's Tennis
No. 20: Belmont Abbey Women's Tennis