W. Roxbury Resident Ned Eames Honored by Top Tennis Associations for Work with At-Risk Kids

Honors recognize Eames’s work providing athletic and academic opportunities to at-risk urban youth through his organization, Tenacity

Tenacity is pleased to announce that the organization’s President and Founder Ned Eames will be inducted into the United States Tennis Association (USTA) New England Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 8, and has recently received an Educational Merit Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Eames, a Worcester native and West Roxbury resident, is receiving these honors for his work shaping Tenacity as an organization dedicated to helping at-risk urban youth develop skills, build character and find pathways to excellence.

Founded by Eames in 1999, Tenacity combines tennis and fitness with literacy, tutoring and mentoring activities, and has served more than 20,000 kids through free after-school, in-school and summer programs.

The USTA New England Hall of Fame recognizes those tennis players and non-players in New England whose achievements as sportsmen or sportswomen are worthy of the highest commendation and recognition, or whose contributions as officials or individuals in a tennis-related activity have been so outstanding over a significant period of time as to justify the highest commendation and recognition.

USTA New England President Gary Pina said, “We are proud to recognize Ned in the Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts on behalf of children’s academic, athletic, and social development at Tenacity. He exemplifies the ideal of a sports professional who gives back to the community, and we thank him for his work.”

“I’m ecstatic and humbled to be recognized by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the USTA New England Hall of Fame,” said Eames. “I’m thrilled to know that these honors are about service to at-risk youth, and that a tennis-based youth development program has made a positive impact on so many.”

The International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Tennis Educational Merit Awards also recognize great volunteers and leaders in the sport of tennis.

Eames, who serves on the USTA’s National Strategic and Creative Planning Committee, played professionally on the ATP Satellite Tour in the 1980s. After his pro career, Eames continued to be one of the country’s most talented players in his age division. In 1998, he teamed with Bud Schultz to win the 35 Doubles at the USTA National Grass Court Championships.

Tenacity invites everyone to attend their 2013 Gala on Saturday, June 1, to raise funds to support the educational success of underserved youth through the organization’s programs. More details and online registration are available at: http://www.tenacity.org/Events_Gala.php.

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Founded in 1999, Tenacity is a Boston-based organization dedicated to helping at-risk urban youth develop skills, build character and find pathways to excellence. Combining tennis and fitness with literacy, tutoring and mentoring activities, Tenacity has served over 20,000 kids through after-school, in school and summer programs. To offer safe, effective and free programs to low income families, Tenacity relies on the generosity of contributors while partnering with public schools, government offices, universities and other non-profits to leverage and complement existing resources. Important Tenacity partners include the Mayor’s office, the Boston Center for Youth and Families, Harvard University, and the Reggie Lewis Center, among many others. Learn more about Tenacity at www.tenacity.org or on Twitter @TENACITYtweet.

Media contact: Emily Dahl, edahl@sloweymcmanus.com, 978-394-3506