NYJTL’s new tennis pathway begins with grassroots programs like the Community Tennis Program (CTP) and extends to the Scholar Athlete Program and beyond. But what does “beyond” truly mean?
For NYJTL, “beyond” means supporting alumni as they transition to college and early adulthood. In recent years, NYJTL students have attended prestigious universities like Syracuse and earned athletic scholarships at schools such as Texas State, Howard, Fordham, and Dominican. The Scholar Athlete Program has seen firsthand the impact of academic support combined with high-level tennis instruction, especially for underserved youth. However, the challenges that young adults face don’t end with high school graduation.
Recognizing this, Raiyan Nafee, Scholar Athlete Academic Program Director, established an alumni network to provide support through college and the start of careers. Whether its coaches staying personally connected with former students, offering guidance on internships and resume building, or hosting alumni practices during holiday breaks, Raiyan believes in the power of maintaining strong relationships and providing ongoing support for NYJTL graduates. Raiyan says, “It’s incredibly important to me that we don’t lose touch with our students once they head off to college. I want to ensure we’re giving them the tools and support they need for a smooth transition from childhood to adulthood.”
One success story is Shawn Mitchell Yon, a Scholar Athlete Program alumnus from the class of 2023. Shawn journeyed through NYJTL’s Community Tennis Program to the Scholar Athlete Program now plays on the tennis team for Howard University, a Division 1 program. In his first year and a half at Howard, Shawn has leaned into the NYJTL alumni network to navigate new challenges that come with balancing the demands of academics and athletics.
Shawn’s journey in tennis began at age six through a gym class program at his elementary school. A Queens native, he discovered NYJTL’s Community Tennis Program in his borough, where his love for the sport started to grow. His commitment to tennis was not confined to Queens— as a young boy Shawn ventured across all five boroughs, participating at every CTP site that NYJTL offered.
Reflecting on his time in the Scholar Athlete Program, Shawn recalls the impact of meeting Ahsha Rolle, NYJTL’s Director of Tennis and a former top 80 player on the WTA tour. Shawn shares, “Seeing someone who looked like me succeed in the tennis world was incredibly inspiring.” Beyond the initial inspiration, Shawn’s tennis game improved through top-tier drills and match strategies led by Jay Devashetty, the Director of Player Development at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning. Along with the extra hours spent on the court, the Scholar Athlete Program provided academic support, including tutoring and hands-on college application assistance. For Shawn, working with Raiyan to refine his writing and perfect his college essay helped his acceptance to Howard University, while the high-level training on the court secured him an athletic scholarship.
Although Shawn’s training and academic success earned him a spot on the Howard Men’s Tennis team, his freshman year brought a new set of challenges. In his first season, Shawn was eager to secure a position in the singles lineup but found himself sidelined for most matches. Shawn leaned on his former coaches, Ahsha and Jay, for advice on navigating the pressures of college tennis. Ahsha’s advice to “stay consistent and maintain perspective” helped Shawn refocus and stay patient.
When Shawn returned home to Queens over his winter break last month, he dedicated himself to preparing for the upcoming spring season. Reflecting on his time, he shared, “I was at Cary Leeds more than I was at home.” Shawn trained with Ahsha and Jay and joined current NYJTL players for practice sessions.
When he wasn’t focused on his own training, Ahsha offered Shawn a job at the Cary Leeds Center, where he assisted her in private lessons and coached clinics for both adults and young kids. For Shawn, the Cary Leeds Center has become a true second home—a place to refine his tennis skills, earn money to support himself, and connect with people he considers “family.” While coaching and playing with current NYJTL Scholar Athletes, Shawn embraced the opportunity to mentor the next generation of players. Whether training alongside Ahsha and Jay or visiting CTP sites across the city, Shawn encouraged young NYJTL students with a clear message: “If you put in the hard work, your dreams can come true.”
Shawn’s short-term dream became a reality when he returned to Howard in early January and learned he had earned a spot as a starting player. His journey reflects the success that can come from the pathways NYJTL provides, guiding students from grassroots tennis to college athletics. Shawn’s experience at Howard reflects the importance of the NYJTL alumni network, as the challenges young adults face often grow after graduation. Raiyan Nafee recognizes that the support and sense of community provided after graduation are just as crucial as during their time as NYJTL students.