SUNY COBLESKILL PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HONORED BY USTA

The SUNY Cobleskill Physical Education Department has been awarded the “2002 Making a Difference Collegiate Award” by the United States Tennis Association for the association’s Eastern Section. SUNY Cobleskill becomes the first college in the USTA Eastern Section to be honored with the award.

The award was presented as part of the USTA’s 2002 Eastern Section Awards Dinner held at the USTA Tennis Center in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday April 27th. The award is presented to the college or university that promotes tennis growth beyond ordinary levels. In January of 2001 SUNY Cobleskill became the first college in northern New York to be certified as a member of the United States Tennis Association’s College Program. The USTA is the governing body of tennis in the USA administering competitive, educational and professional programs in the sport to a wide range of populations nationally. (This includes the overseeing of USA Wheelchair Tennis.) The USTA is also in charge of the operation of the United States Open Tournament one of professional tennis’s grand slam events.

“Cobleskill is the first college to receive this award based on its introduction to tennis to its students, the local community and the college’s peer institutions based on the USTA team tennis program,” said USTA Eastern Regional Director Dave Gergoire. “SUNY Cobleskill has played a major role in our ongoing efforts to promote tennis to the outlying areas of the Capital District and we are excited about the continuation of our partnership with the school’s physical education program.”  

“This partnership with the USTA has been of great benefit to our students and the entire Cobleskill/Schoharie County area,” said SUNY Cobleskill Chair of Physical Education Kevin McCarthy. “We have an outstanding tennis complex because of a recent renovation program so this been an outstanding opportunity for us to put our facilities to positive use. As we now head into our second year in the USTA’s College Program, we continue to forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with them in the future.”

As part of the program SUNY Cobleskill students enrolled in tennis courses will be eligible for USTA membership and the benefits that accompany it. This includes subscriptions to USTA publications, admission to USTA sponsored clinics and entry into USTA competitive events.

Individuals or groups interested in USTA programming can contact David Gergoire at (518) 372-4651. Those interested in Cobleskill’s tennis facilities and tennis programs can contact the Department of Physical Education and Athletics at (518) 255-5127.