USF receives $500K for new tennis center

 

This week, USF received a $500,000 gift to construct a tennis center for the USF men’s and women’s tennis teams.

The money comes from Thomas A. James, a local philanthropist, the executive chairman of Raymond James Financial Inc. and a board member for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, as part of USF’s Unstoppable Campaign. The funds will be used to jumpstart fundraising for James Tennis Center, a facility for USF’s tennis team.

James, a longtime tennis player, said USF needs this facility for everything from competing to recruitment.

“As a tennis player for 60 years, I’ve always believed that the Bulls’ tennis teams should be competitive with all of Florida’s college programs,” James said. “To achieve that objective, USF needs state-of-the-art facilities to attract top talent as well as develop them to become the best they can be.”

Over the past three years, USF Athletics has seen a makeover worth more than
$40 million. In addition to new baseball, softball and soccer stadiums, USF has also added new facilities that include the golf, track, football and basketball facilities.

 

— Staff report