Press Release
USTA HONORS A’S & ACES AS NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS & LEARNING
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR OUT OF MORE THAN 600 CHAPTERS NATIONWIDE
FOR ENHANCING CHILDREN’S LIVES THROUGH TENNIS & EDUCATION
The USTA honored three National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters with the 20122013 USTA/NJTL Chapter of the Year Award, selecting A’s & Aces (New Orleans) in the
highest budget level of $300,000 and over. The other 2012-2013 USTA/NJTL Chapters of the
Year and their corresponding budget levels are: Prince George’s Tennis & Education
Foundation ($50k-300k); and Olivencia Tennis (less than $50k).
Founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, the
USTA/National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network is a nationwide group of more than
600 nonprofit youth development organizations that provide free or low-cost tennis, education
and life skills programming to more than 300,000 children each year. Celebrating its 44th
anniversary this year, NJTL is one of the USTA’s largest community-based offerings.
A’s & Aces was recognized formally at an awards banquet during the USTA’s annual Tennis
Development Workshop, Oct. 31 – Nov. 3, 2013 in Denver.
Since 2008, A’s & Aces has been implementing its mission “to provide academic assistance, life
skills and tennis for New Orleans public school children.” The name “A’s & Aces” was chosen to
represent their student-athlete model and the emphasis on good grades and good tennis. Its
programs are designed to address several crises that particularly affect New Orleans: illiteracy,
violence/values and obesity. A’s & Aces now impacts more than 750 children in its in-school,
after-school and weekend programs each week throughout the academic year, and in three
summer camps. With 10 full/part-time staff and more than 100 regular volunteers throughout the
school year, A’s & Aces is able to address children’s individual needs while implementing
literacy, life skills and tennis curricula. In July 2011, A’s & Aces was chosen as one of three
organizations for a national documentary “striving to educate people about social responsibility.”
Though the selection criteria was real, the “documentary” turned out to be a ruse to enable the
surprise climax of a New Orleans episode of ABC’s national television show, “Secret
Millionaire.” For more information about A’s & Aces visit www.AsAndAces.org
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The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and
developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional
game. A not-for-profit organization with 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It
owns and operates the US Open, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the
US Open. In addition, it owns the 90-plus Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., is a minority owner and promotional
partner of World Team Tennis, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic
Games. USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the USTA, provides financial support for disadvantaged
youth and people with disabilities through tennis and education programs.
For more information, contact: Anna Monhartova, President, A’s & Aces, (504) 895-9933;
A.Monhartova@AsAndAces.org