NEWS & EVENTS
Portland Tennis & Education Recognized as National Junior Tennis & Learning Chapter of the Year
USTA Foundation NJTL chapter receives national award for its work in preparing young people from under-resourced communities for whatever life serves them.
ORLANDO, Fla., March 30, 2026 – The USTA today announced that Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E) has been named the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Chapter of the Year. PT&E was honored during the 2026 USTA Annual Meeting & Conference, held in Orlando, Fla.
PT&E is part of the nationwide network of more than 270 community-based organizations that use tennis, education and mentorship to prepare young people from under-resourced communities for the challenges and opportunities of life. The mission of PT&E is to foster lifelong well-being through play, learning, and connection, and serve as a hub where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can have equitable access to tennis, education, critical resources, and a community.
The USTA bestows the NJTL Chapter of the Year Award to organizations that positively impact youth through the powerful combination of tennis and education. Co-founded in 1969 by cultural icon Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, the USTA Foundation’s NJTL network today provides over 230,000 young people nationwide with access to opportunities that extend far beyond the game of tennis, including life skills development, academic support, scholarships, and career and college readiness.
Kathleen Wuu, President of the USTA Foundation with NJTL of the Year Award: Portland Tennis & Education, Campbell Glenn Garonzic and Jazel Diaz de Jesus Martinez
Since its inception in 1996 by Dr. Ernest Hartzog, a leader in both the tennis and education communities in Portland and beyond, PT&E has empowered nearly 20,000 young people through low cost and tuitionfree holistic programs designed to level the playing field in the classroom, on the court, and in the community. Participants and their family members receive approximately 1,000 hours of annual support, including academic, health, character development, and family engagement programming. Additionally, every PT&E senior has graduated on time and pursued a post-secondary path, with a number of graduates receiving scholarship support from the USTA Foundation. At PT&E, students not only develop as athletes but also leave with the tools and confidence to succeed in higher education, trade programs, and beyond.
“We are proud to honor the important work being done at Portland Tennis & Education,” said Ginny Ehrlich, USTA Foundation CEO. “Portland Tennis & Education has created a welcoming space for thousands of young people and their families across the Portland area—one that brings together tennis, education, and mentorship to help them build confidence and succeed on whatever path they choose in life.”