The ITA Once Again Encourages Programs to Develop Community Relations with the ITA Community Service Challenge

Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) is pleased to announce today the ITA Community Service Challenge, a two month initiative for programs to give back to their communities that builds on the success and groundwork of the previously held ITA Community Service Month.

Set to take place over the months of October and November, any ITA member program is eligible to participate in the ITA Community Service Challenge. With prizes for the top finishers, programs will be going head-to-head earning points based on total community service hours and the number of student-athletes participating in each activity.

“We are thrilled to relaunch this initiative, which was brought back thanks to the passion of our Student-Athlete Council,” stated ITA ITA Community Manager & Digital Products Coordinator, Elicia Smith. “The ITA Community Service Challenge embodies the core values of college tennis and is a fantastic way to harness the teamwork and competitive spirit of our student-athletes, leveraging their skills for the greater good of their local communities.”

Aimed to instill a lifelong commitment to service while showcasing the positive impact student-athletes have beyond the court, the ITA Community Service Challenge was reimagined around input from the ITA Student-Athlete Council, a collection of current college tennis players who work alongside the ITA to make meaningful change within our sport. 

“From the start of our term, the 2024–25 ITA Student-Athlete Council set out to make community service a top priority,” stated 2024-25 ITA Student-Athlete Council Chair Marielle Sauber. “Reviving the ITA Community Service Challenge is an exciting and meaningful way to put our commitment into action and strengthen the communities that support us so proudly. Thanks to the tireless work of the ITA team, we’re thrilled to take part in the challenge and see firsthand the positive impact it has on our communities.”

At the end of the two month challenge, the team that finishes in first place will 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.

Meanwhile, the team that finishes in second place will receive $1,000 and a Dunlop prize package. Two random drawings will also be held in addition to these first and second place prizes in which any team who completes at least 50 service hours will be eligible for (1), as well any team that posts their community service projects on social media with the hashtag, #CollegeTennisServes (2) will be eligible for a $500 prize. 

“Thank you to our Student-Athlete Council and ITA Community Manager, Elicia Smith, for breathing new life into this important initiative,” said ITA CEO David Mullins. “Now, more than ever, it is essential for college tennis programs to engage consistently with the communities who support them and whom they represent.”

Additional information will be communicated with coaches in the coming weeks, and we encourage all fans to follow along on social media and the ITA website to see updates around the ITA Community Service Challenge over the months of October and November. 

About the ITA: The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is the governing body and coaches association of college tennis, both an advocate and an authority for the sport and its members. Comprised of 1,260 colleges and universities, 20,000 student-athletes, 1,700 varsity programs, 3,000 coaches, and 1,350 college tennis officials, the ITA empowers college tennis coaches at all levels to deliver vibrant tennis programs that are vital to their college communities and transformational to their student-athletes. Follow the college tennis season on the ITA website and ITA social channels on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

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