Preparing for the Spring Season: Building Competitive Spirit

Spring has arrived, and the energy at the Chris Evert Learning Center is buzzing! TeamFAME, the Hall of Fame’s NJTL chapter, continues to make significant strides in shaping the lives of its student-athletes. 

Honoring Black History Month: Celebrating Icons in Tennis

In February, TeamFAME students honored influential athletes during Black History Month by exploring the Hall of Fame’s Breaking Boundaries in Black Tennis exhibit. The exhibit features modern players like Coco Gauff, Serena Williams, Frances Tiafoe, and Gaël Monfils, alongside historic legends such as Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson. Students celebrated these icons by designing posters to showcase their achievements and reflecting on their broader impact on the fight for equality in sports.

Cooking Up Healthy Habits

In partnership with URI Snap Ed, TeamFAME students took on the challenge of cooking healthy meals. Fifth graders learned how to make nutritious substitutions in snacks and how to transform their favorite meals into healthier versions. The results were impressive, with students taste-testing their creations and enjoying the process. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders also participated in their own cooking lessons. To celebrate their culinary accomplishments, TeamFAME hosted a family lunch where students prepared meals for their families and shared nutrition tips.

Preparing for Spring: Middle School Matches and High School Success

As spring approaches, TeamFAME students are sharpening their skills both on and off the court. Advanced players competed in a series of USTA tournaments, building competitive spirit and valuable experiences. Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the RM Tides, who have advanced to Division 1 competition in Rhode Island —an exciting milestone that reflects their dedication and hard work. The RM Tides, a co-op team with Rogers and Middletown High Schools, was established in 2024, marking the return of boys’ high school tennis to Newport after more than a decade. Both the RM Tides and Rogers Girls High School team feature many TeamFAME high school alumni, who are making significant contributions to their varsity lineups.

High School Ambassadors: Paving the Way for the Future

TeamFAME’s High School Mentorship and Leadership Program continues to inspire student-athletes after they graduate from the middle school program. These students are awarded scholarships to the Hall of Fame Junior Tennis Program, engage in mentorship activities with college athletes, and volunteer their time to support the program and motivate younger students. For those aspiring to compete at the collegiate level, TeamFAME’s college tennis workshops offer valuable insights. Students create recruiting profiles, research schools, and gain insights from college coaches, preparing them to navigate the recruiting process and pursue their dreams.