Poughkeepsie, NY - For the sixth consecutive season, the Vassar College men's tennis team has been awarded the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Community Service Northeast Regional Award, as announced by the association office. The award recognizes teams that give back to their campus or community through tennis and non-tennis pathways, and there are over 100 ITA men's tennis programs located in the northeast region.
 
Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, the men's team members volunteered their time for a variety of different activities.  The team volunteered at the Lunch Box Dutchess Outreach preparing hot lunches and dinners for anyone within Dutchess County who needs a delicious chef-prepared meal.
 
The team volunteered to participate with middle school students through the Vassar After School Tutoring Program (VAST).  The program is part of the Vassar College Urban Education Initiative (VCUEI) that connects Vassar College to the City of Poughkeepsie public school district.   The team helped make a positive impact in the Vassar Community by facilitating games for the students.  A few of the favorite athletic activities the middle school students enjoyed were tennis and soccer.
 
During the fall and spring seasons the team recycled tennis balls that would have otherwise been landfill.  The team also raised awareness for breast cancer throughout the month of October.  All the proceeds went to Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation to fund support services for people affected by breast cancer in the Hudson Valley.
 
In addition, the team volunteered at the Coat Drive Dutchess Outreach sorting through 12,000 coats and winter essentials for those who needed them in Dutchess county. The coats help to ensure our neighbors have something to wear in the winter.
 
Said Head Coach Tina McDermott, "Our team continues to raise the bar in impacting and enhancing our community.   We have outstanding character on our team and this speaks highly of our culture.  This year we were excited to forge relationships with new community partners and continue to grow other long standing relationships.  I am grateful to our student-athletes for connecting with our neighbors and proud of how they continue to be leaders in the classroom and community."