A Night to Remember: USTA Mid-Atlantic's Gala
Who would've thought tennis could wield such transformative power? This ain't your average sport gala. Last Saturday, a crowd of over 300 gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner for the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation's 2026 Tennis Creates Gala. Hosted by the formidable Malika Andrews, this event wasn't just a fancy evening—it was a push to change lives and communities with tennis at the helm.
The Big Numbers: Funds for Change
Let's talk impact. Half a million bucks were raised right there. It's a hefty chunk that's going to bolster programs designed to make tennis accessible across the Mid-Atlantic region. We're talking scholarships, facility upgrades, community outreach—the works.
"Tonight is a celebration of everything tennis creates: confidence, connection, health, and opportunity." - Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation CEO
Celebrating Influential Leaders in Tennis
The gala served up more than just speeches and funds. We saw some real heroes of the court stepping up. The Tennis Creates Impact Award went to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, hailed for his sterling leadership—couldn't make it in person, but that didn't dampen the applause he got from the room, or the praise from former Secretary James Mattis.
Community champions were honored, too. The Adult and Youth Leader awards went to Leigh Ann Jackson and Gabrielle Berg—both proving that tennis is just as much about communal strength as personal triumph. Jackson’s work in Maryland and Virginia with the Girls Rule the Court™ program goes beyond the court, and Berg is making special needs tennis clinics a year-long affair in Northern Virginia.
Tennis Building Better Communities
Then there's Dr. Ellen Markowitz, James Skinner, and Khoi Truong receiving nods for their dedication to grassroots tennis. These folks are out there day-in, day-out, coaching, teaching, and growing our next batch of tennis aficionados. Truong’s efforts at Lake Braddock breed sportsmanship, while Markowitz's curriculum development is changing instructional games across the region. You can't help but root for them.
- Community Champion: Dr. Ellen Markowitz has shaped the future of many through her involvement.
- Coach of the Year: Khoi Truong cultivates responsible and emotionally mature athletes.
- Tennis in the Classroom Award: Janelle Nichols is seamlessly weaving education into tennis to open up opportunities.
Malika Andrews: Driving the Message Home
Andrews didn’t just drop in for a quick speech—she sat down with two bright stars from the Girls Rule the Court program. Her talk with these young women wasn't just engaging; it was eye-opening. The program's already reached over two thousand girls in Maryland and Virginia, and hearing firsthand how sports can sculpt futures? That’s the kind of thing that sticks.
The Wider Vision: Tennis for All
At the heart of it all is this grand vision: tennis for every community. The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation isn’t just spinning wheels; it's making strides. By touching over 114,000 young lives in the past year alone, they're not just playing games—they're opening doors.
For folks looking to chip in or learn more, the call to action is clear. There's a lot riding on making tennis an accessible reality, and every donation, big or small, inches the region closer to that goal.
Catching up on the gala might be worthwhile through the available footage—seeing efforts take shape has a way of inspiring more action.
