By Rhiannon Potkey
In honor of the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson breaking the color barrier in tennis, the USTA is expanding its Althea Gibson HBCU Scholarship Program. Together with the HBCU Week Foundation, the USTA will award an additional $20,000 in college scholarships to two students ($10,000 each) who are currently or will be enrolled in a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Applications will open in September, with recipients selected in early 2026.
The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who meet certain requirements. To qualify, applicants must be majoring in sports management or have a demonstrated background in tennis, such as participation in recreational, high school, or competitive league tennis at any level or a commitment to play collegiate tennis; students must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at a four-year, accredited HBCU; and hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Since its inception in 2022, the USTA Althea Gibson HBCU Scholarship program has awarded nearly $60,000 in college scholarships to students enrolled in an HBCU.
The scholarship is named in honor of Gibson, a trailblazing athlete and graduate of Florida A&M University, an HBCU. In 1950, Gibson broke the color barrier in tennis, becoming the first Black player to compete in the U.S. National Championships (now the US Open), which paved the way for future athletes and led to significant changes in and outside of sports. Gibson’s legacy is the focal point of the 2025 US Open theme: “Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers”.
“Althea Gibson was more than a champion—she was a trailblazer whose influence is still felt today,” said Marisa Grimes, USTA’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. “Expanding this scholarship is a powerful way to carry her legacy forward, creating meaningful opportunities for HBCU students to succeed in all aspects of their lives. Supporting their journeys helps move tennis—and society—toward a more inclusive and equitable future.”
