On August 15, a host of tennis and political dignitaries will gather for the dedication ceremony for Daniel L. Haggerty Jr. Pavilion at the Junior Champions Tennis Center in Cadwalader Park. The pavilion is the final element completing the largest junior short court facility in the United States. The pavilion design and construction was completed exclusively with private funding as part of a million dollar public-private redevelopment project undertaken by the nonprofit National Junior Tennis & Learning of Trenton (NJTLT). More than 700 guests are expected for this celebration, which will feature a special exhibition match between tennis champions Jim Courier and Todd Martin.
The two-story pavilion's namesake, Daniel L. Haggerty Jr. is the late father of Dave Haggerty, Chairman, CEO and President of the United States Tennis Association. According to theUSTA president, his father was instrumental in the early growth of tennis at Cadwalader Park when he served as the city’s director of tennis for 17 years until 1971. Dave says that his father is credited with helping to revitalize tennis in Trenton programming in the mid-1950’s through the 1960’s. “He organized many tournaments for juniors and adults and Cadwalader Park was a gathering place for tennis.” As a tennis promoter, Daniel Haggerty brought toTrenton now legendary players such as Arthur Ashe, Manuel Orantes, Chuck McKinley, Herb Fitzgibbons, Althea Gibson and Vic Seixas.
Today, NJTLT of Trenton continues the tradition of tennis in the park and the vision of NJTL national co-founder Arthur Ashe. The organization annually serves more than 2,500 under-resourced youth from Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton. The pavilionwill be heavily utilized by NJTLT's tennis and learning programs, which benefit youths by providing opportunities and instruction through education, nutrition and tennis.
“The possibilities for the new complete tennis center are endless,” said NJTLT Executive Director Rob Howland. “It's been a long journey and the result is even better than we anticipated. The seare exciting times for NJTLT and we hope the community will come out for theDedication and continue to take part in and support, all that we do.”
The event on August 15 begins with a kid’s picnic for NJTLT participants at 11:30 AM EST. The dedication and ceremonial passing of the key to City of Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson at 3:30PM followed by an exhibition with American tennis greats Jim Courier and Todd Martin.
For more information on the Pavilion Dedication, donation information and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.njtloftrenton.org.
About the Junior Champions Tennis Center at Cadwalader Park: The Junior Champions Tennis Center in Cadwalader Park inTrenton, NJ is home to National Junior Tennis and Learning of Trenton’s youth programs. The Center is the nation’s largest junior short court lined tennis facility, featuring six refurbished hard courts, a stadium court, and fourteen10 & Under permanent courts. The center was developed via a public private partnership at a total cost of about one million dollars. In 2013, the Center received theNational Outstanding Public Facility of the Year Award from the United StatesTennis Association. The Daniel L. Haggerty Jr. Pavilion is within the center and was funded privately. The pavilion features a view of the entire facility from a second-story deck, first-floor storage, a drinking fountain and commemorative paver area with learning tables where NJTLT's education components will be delivered.
About National Junior Tennis & Learning of Trenton (NJTLT): Founded in 1975, NJTLT touches the lives of more than 2,500 children from the Trenton area each year. Through NJTLT's award-winning programs,Trenton youth are provided with year-round tennis programs and participate in after-school academic enrichment, mentoring and college preparation.
Participants are rewarded with employment opportunities, tennis teacher certifications as well as eligibility for a total of $15,000 in annual college scholarship stipends. Twenty-five percent of NJTLT's full-time staff and 60 percent of the teaching staff are former participants. This reaffirms the vision of NJTL national founder and tennis great Arthur Ashe – to promote character and offer education, employment and nutrition opportunities for young people through tennis.
For information, visit www.njtloftrenton.org . Follow NJTLT on social media at www.facebook.com/njtlt on Facebook and www.twitter.com/njtlt on Twitter.
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