2024 TEAMFAME GRADUATES CELEBRATED AT ANNUAL SUNSET SLAM

Pictured left to right: ITHF CEO Dan Faber, Manuel Rivera Lopez, Andrew Novaes, Chris Maxaner, Dante Marshall, Lincoln Gibs, Jermaine Dantzler, TeamFAME Executive Director Marguerite Marano

In a picturesque evening at the ITHF’s Horseshoe Court, TeamFAME’s third graduating class of 8th graders was celebrated in an inspiring evening at the annual Sunset Slam. Surrounded by their TeamFAME peers, past graduates, families and dedicated supporters, the graduates' accomplishments and growth were recognized.

This year’s class features seven Newport youth: Jermaine Dantzler, Lincoln Gibs, Keely Greenough, Manuel Rivera Lopez, Dante Marshall, Chris Maxaner and Andrew Novaes. Every member of the Class of 2024 completed at least two years of TeamFAME programming and will attend either Newport’s Rogers High School or nearby Portsmouth High School this fall.

“We share so many wonderful memories with these student-athletes,” said Marguerite Marano, Executive Director of TeamFAME. “We’ve watched them go from never picking up a racquet to becoming confident players on the court, from being shy speakers to leaders in the community. I am so proud of their achievements, and remind all of our TeamFAMErs to find your greatness and keep striving to be the best version of you!”

This year's focus for TeamFAME's student-athletes was paying it forward in the community and amongst each other. These values were on full display at the Sunset Slam as previous classes of graduates returned to introduce and stand side-by-side with their teammates for the awards ceremony.

Lincoln Gibs and Chris Maxaner were recognized as the 2024 Character of a Champion honorees.

The Character of a Champion Awards are presented annually to students who are consistently community-minded, serving as role models to their peers. The awards were presented in memory of late TeamFAME Advisory Board member, Robyn Holloway and Newport educator, Terrence C. Burns.

Marguerite Marano, Manny Rivera Lopez, Omar Campbell

This year’s FILA R.E.A.C.H. Award winner is Manuel “Manny” Rivera Lopez. 

The FILA R.E.A.C.H. Award stands for Realizing Extraordinary Accomplishments with Courage and Humility. As a supporter of the ITHF and TeamFAME, it is FILA’s hope that the R.E.A.C.H. Award will inspire & motivate players in TeamFAME to persevere, not only in the game of tennis, but in all aspects of life.

Over the course of their TeamFAME experiences, the 2024 graduates have achieved much more than improved tennis skills. The group has participated in service projects including community compost gardens, over 56 hours of coach-in-training programming and competitive middle school matches and USTA tournaments. The graduates will stay involved with TeamFAME into high school as junior coaches, high school teammates and ITHF staff.