Each summer, we collaborate with USTA Eastern to host a sleep away camp that focuses on tennis, education and culture for five days.
The event brings together 36 student athletes, a group comprised of six players in grades nine to 12 from each of the six USTA Eastern regions (Long Island, New Jersey, Northern, Metro, Southern and Western). The student athletes stay in the dorms at Pace University, and they participate in tennis drills and match-play, off-court training, educational workshops and cultural activities at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in Crotona Park in the South Bronx. This summer, the three dozen students got a special treat – they visited City Hall (across the street from Pace) and got a tour led by New York City Council Member Costa Constantinides.
During the visit, they also met New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was more than happy to pose for a few photos with our stellar athletes. And Dean Fuleihan, the Mayor’s Budget Director, also posed with the students (one of whom was his daughter).