Happy Fall!

We are so excited to be back in the Armory, filling the courts with energy, laughter, and the sound of hard work.  As we kick off the Fall session, our focus goes beyond tennis. We are also here to help our kids win in the classroom.. From drills to homework help, we are committed to making sure every student feels supported, challenged, and celebrated. Here’s to another season of growth, grit, and success on and off the court!

5th Annual Golf Outing 

What a day! Our 5th Annual HJTEP Golf Outing was a success, marked by great weather, good vibes, and excellent company. We can’t thank everyone enough for coming out to support our mission and spend the day on the course with us.

A big thank you to all of our sponsors for making this event possible: Black Enterprise, Crown Royal, Championship Gin (and a special thanks to PJ Anderson for donating his time and spirits while keeping everyone’s glasses full), Clif Bar, Guinness, Damascus Bakery, Pepe Auto (our Hole-In-One sponsor, who provided a stunning Mercedes-Benz that, unfortunately, no one got to drive home), Pepsi, Peter Millar, and Resort World Gives. Your generosity helps us continue to create opportunities for our student-athletes and strengthen our community through tennis.

Big congrats to all the winners who took home bragging rights this year:

First Place - Mark Michael, Trevor Harris, and Andre McClure (not pictured)

Second Place - Kathy Francis, Roberta Graves, Tammye Jones, and Mercer Cook

Closest to Pin - Men: Michael Littlejohn and Women: Tammye Jones

Longest Drive - Men: Matt Ecker and Women: Jocelyn Alfalla

And of course, a shoutout to Walter’s Hot Dogs for keeping everyone fueled up on the course. We’re already looking forward to next year!

HJTEP Players Selected for 2025 USTA Foundation College Pathway

We’re so proud to share that two of our very own, Samantha Hill and Savannah Minter, have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2025 USTA Foundation College Pathway Activation,  October 30 through November 2, at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida.

This four-day experience is a major honor, with only 24 players chosen from thousands of NJTL applicants nationwide. The event brings together some of the top junior players for an intensive weekend of elite on-court training, high-level match play, and invaluable insights into college recruitment. Participants will also take part in off-court sessions led by industry experts, gaining a deeper understanding of the college tennis pathway and what it takes to succeed at the next level.

We are beyond excited to see Samantha and Savannah represent HJTEP on this national stage and continue to shine both as athletes and as students.

Tournament Team Highlights

HJTEP’s Tournament Team has been on fire this season. Amanda Marcano and Jack Jacobs have been dominating the 12U circuit, consistently finishing as champions or finalists. Savannah Minter also showed out, earning 3rd place and qualifying for the New York State Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center, taking place October 27-29. We are so proud of all our players for their hard work and determination on the court. Keep it up, team!

October Program Update

This month, HJTEP officially launched our 2025 Schools Program, expanding our reach and impact across Harlem. In addition to the seven schools we are serving in the Harlem Children's Zone, we are now serving students at Harlem Academy, Manhattanville Cornerstone After-School Program, and PS 194 Countee Cullen School.

Our team is thrilled to continue growing this initiative, giving more young people the opportunity to learn tennis while building confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love for the game.

West Harlem Tennis Clinic 

Rain or shine, HJTEP shows up! Our West Harlem Tennis Clinic held on Indigenous Peoples Day, October 13, was a whole lot of fun, even with a little weather curveball. When the rain came down, we moved everything inside to the athletic gymnasium at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park and kept the energy high. We are so proud of our student-athletes who stepped up in a big way, helping attendees from local schools, community centers, and those strolling through the park, with drills, technique, and encouragement throughout the day. It was a perfect opportunity to practice patience, leadership, and teamwork, and our kids did it all with smiles on their faces. It was a great way to spend the holiday.

A huge thank you to our amazing coaches for keeping everything running smoothly and ensuring everyone had a great experience. Special shout-out to Joanna Castro from the West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) for coming out and showing love and support to our program. We look forward to doing it all again at our clinic this winter!