Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program: building character and teaching life lessons

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By Jim Fuller, Register Staff

KATRINA M. ADAMS SIGNS ON AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

New York, New York – The Harlem Junior Tennis Program has named Katrina M. Adams Executive Director of HJTEP.

Adams received her training in a program much like HJTEP. She earned a scholarship to Northwestern University where she majored in Communications. She helped the Wildcats win the Big Ten Championships in 1986 and 1987, and was the ITCA Rookie of the Year in 1986, a NCAA All-American, and the NCAA Doubles Champion in 1987. A Chicago native, she has been inducted into the Northwestern University Hall of Fame.

“I have dedicated a great portion of my life to non-profit tennis organizations, so it brings me great pride to now work with The Harlem Junior Tennis Program, “ Adams said. “ When you look at the rich history of this program and the opportunities that lie ahead, there is a lot to be excited about.”

Adams enjoyed a twelve-year career on the WTA Tour, where she was ranked as high as No. 67 in singles and No. 8 in doubles. She captured 20 doubles titles. While on the WTA Tour, she served on its Board of Directors for four one-year terms as a player representative and on its WTA Players Association for five two-year terms. She also served on the WTA Tour’s Anti-Doping Committee, Players Committee, Executive Committee, and Special Olympics Committee. The WTA presented her with the Player Service Award in 1996 and 1997.

Upon retiring from the pro tour, Adams was a USTA National Coach from 1999 to 2002 for the USA Tennis High Performance program where she helped develop some of the nation’s top players. She has also given back to the game through grassroots participation in several non-profit organizations that develop tennis players, including the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Academy, the MaliVai Washington Foundation, and the Althea Gibson Foundation. She is currently the spokesperson for the Althea Gibson Foundation.

She is a Color Analyst for The Tennis Channel and Director at Large on the USTA Board.