James Champion Honored with USTA President's 35x35 Impact Award

Sep 15, 2026

Recognition celebrates significant contributions to growing the game of tennis and expanding participation nationwide

Miami, Florida, United States, September 15, 2026 -- James A. Champion has been named a recipient of the USTA President's 35x35 Impact Award, a national honor recognizing individuals who have made a significant contribution to growing tennis and helping the United States Tennis Association reach its goal of 35 million players by 2035.

The award was presented by Brian Vahaly, President and Chairman of the Board of the USTA, and Paul Farah, Chair of the USTA Awards and Recognition Committee.

"It is my honor to receive this award because the game of tennis means so much to me. For the organization that I help run, First Serve Miami, we use tennis to help underserved communities achieve life goals. Tennis, along with life skills and other educational enrichment programs teaches them to perform on and off the court. For us, tennis, It’s All About The Kids," said Champion.

The 35x35 Impact Award highlights individuals across the country whose efforts, whether through coaching, community programs, advocacy, or player development, are helping expand access to tennis and strengthen the sport's future.

Champion serves as Chairman of the Board of First Serve Miami, a nonprofit that has spent more than 40 years empowering underserved youth in Miami-Dade County through tennis, life-skills, and other educational enrichment programs. Under his leadership, First Serve Miami currently reaches over 400 participants per month through its Adopt-A-Player and Community Partners programs, operating out of the Ashe-Buchholz Tennis Center at Moore Park and other community parks and organizations such as Bryan Park, AJ King Park, Buccaneer Park, Bunche Park, Demps Park, Mary Saunders Park, Norwood Park, River Run Park, Sgt. Delancey Park, Walter Frazier Park, The Barnyard, Sunshine Hearts, MDSO Youth Outreach Unit, and local area public schools.

For more information about First Serve Miami use the contact details below.

Contact Info:
Name: First Serve Miami Team
Email: Send Email
Organization: First Serve Miami
Address: 12231 SW 129th Ct, Miami, FL 33186
Phone: 786-860-9751
Website: http://firstservemiami.org

Release ID: 89203399

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