Recipients Announced for 2025 ITA College Coach Opportunity Grant

Convention information | Convention registration

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 ITA College Coach Opportunity Grant. Established in 2018, the grant program was created to provide additional opportunities for select coaches to attend the ITA Coaches Convention. 

The grant, now in its sixth year, provides free convention registration to all recipients plus a travel stipend that assists coaches in their continuing education and networking efforts while bringing a different perspective to the discussions at the convention.

This year’s recipients of the ITA College Coach Opportunity Grant are:

Nathan Thompson, Assistant Men’s Tennis Coach, Liberty University

Ty Aki, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, Chaminade University

Jovan Jordan-Whitter, Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach, University of New England

Dakota Fernandez, Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach, St. Mary’s University

Elizabeth Robinson, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, University of Illinois Chicago

Damian Jones, Head Men’s Tennis Coach, Principia College

The ITA Coaches Convention, regarded as one of the best professional development opportunities for collegiate tennis coaches, will take place from December 5-7, 2025, in Tempe, Arizona, at Arizona State University’s Whiteman Tennis Center. The scheduling allows for coaches to network and develop professionally following the conclusion of the fall championship season.

In addition to clinics, a trade show and panel discussions, more than one dozen guest speakers are slated to present on topics ranging from injury prevention concepts, building a championship culture, dealing with adversity and more.

Registration is still open for coaches interested in attending the 2025 ITA Coaches Convention in Tempe. Visit the registration form here to sign up today.

Previous recipients: Tasi Purcell Batista (Rollins), Jeff Benito (Marymount), Bruce Carrington (St. Thomas), Anik Cepeda (Williams), Trang Dao (Smith College), Melinda Descant (LSU at Alexandria), Kevin Dupont (Tufts), Tayo Bailey-Duvall (Middle Tennessee), Kai Fong (Lewis-Clark), Beau Fresquez (Colorado State, Pueblo), Hernan Geria (Jackson State), Venecca Green (Lane College), Gregory Green (Tuskegee) Rifanty Kahfiani (VCU), Kristin Lake (Goldey-Beacom), Maria Lopez (Boise State), Gabrielle Moore (Jackson State), Karina Ono (SCAD Savannah), Kris Powell (Illinois Tech), Keiran President (McPherson College), Eduardo Rincon (Presbyterian), Ramona Staton (Johnson C. Smith), Devonte Thomas (Alcorn State), Aymet Uzcategui (McNeese State), Angela Vargas (St. Mary’s), Emily Wang (New Mexico State), and Autumn Williams (Texas A&M, Kingsville)

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