Evert is leading Rally to Rebuild with the goal to give young players a safe place to learn the gameGETTY IMAGES
The USTA's philanthropic arm has been "working to help the sport restart at the grass-roots level, in community-based programs that were shuttered along with the pro tour and countless small businesses around the country this past spring," with former player CHRIS EVERT "leading Rally to Rebuild, a USTA Foundation fundraising campaign designed to help local tennis and education organizations safely emerge from months-long absences." Rally to Rebuild has raised more than $4M toward its $5M goal and is "distributing proceeds in the form of $5,000 grants to community-based programs in the National Junior Tennis and Learning network, which serves roughly 160,000 youngsters in 250 communities." The goal is to give young players a "safe place to learn the game, get help with schoolwork and learn life skills that will serve them off the court as well" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/9).
NAMES: Atlanta United Technical Dir CARLOS BOCANEGRA was voted into the National Soccer HOF for his "myriad accomplishments as a player." Bocanegra's career "spans MLS, as well as some of the top leagues in Europe, and an international career in which he captained" the USMNT in a World Cup. The induction ceremony "will be held next year" as part of the combined classes of '20 and ’21. The date "hasn’t been determined" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/9)....Warriors F DRAYMOND GREEN is "offering 550 pairs of Converse shoes to Saginaw students Thursday at the First Ward Community Center" in Saginaw, Mich. (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/9).
IN MEMORY: GENE BUDIG, co-Owner of the Single-A South Atlantic League Charleston RiverDogs for the last 14 years and last serving president of the American League, died yesterday morning at 81 (Charleston POST & COURIER, 9/9).