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Coco Gauff Funds Scholarship Program for HBCU Tennis Players

Coco Gauff Funds Scholarship Program for HBCU Tennis Players

W|W DL 4

February 20, 2025

Number 4

Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images via The Voice

Coco Gauff Funds Scholarship Program for HBCU Tennis Players

Featured Focus: Athlete-Driven Impact, Education, Access / Inclusion / Equality

Scope of Impact: National

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, has made a generous $100,000 donation to establish the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Administered by UNCF (the United Negro College Fund), Gauf’s endowment will provide scholarships to student-athletes excelling in tennis.

Currently ranked No. 3 in the WTA rankings, she has a deep personal connection to HBCUs, attributing her family's success to these vital educational institutions. Acknowledging the profound impact of seeing successful black athletes thriving in sports and academics, Gauff's initiative is a bold stride towards increasing access and inclusion.

Maurice Jenkins Jr., UNCF's executive vice president, applauded Gauff's dedication, reiterating that such support bolsters young leaders, enabling them to succeed on and off the court.

See the original story here.

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Growing up with the Williams’ sisters as role models, Coco Gauff knows how important representation can be, especially in a sport where access has historically been limited for non-white players.

Beyond the opportunities that her scholarship program will offer to young tennis players, she has a deeply rooted understanding and commitment to the HBCUs.

She follows in the footsteps of NBA star Steph Curry, who supports Howard University’s golf program, to push the systemic boundaries of sports out of the way.