2024 USTA-LOUISIANA AWARDS

Tennis Professional of the Year- Calvin Kemp

Honoring a tennis professional that demonstrates a significant contribution to the game of tennis through their promoting of USTA tennis pathway programs and their support of the USTA Mission Statement. (“to promote and develop the sport of tennis”). All nominees MUST be either USPTA or USPTR.

Here are some of Calvin’s “stats”. He was a highly ranked player on the national and international tour. He was a blue-chip recruit while playing juniors, a nationally ranked collegiate athlete and played on the pro tour. He has worked on the ATP tour including 3 grand slams, and many ATP Master Series tournaments as well. He is an  ATP Certified GPTCA International Coach, PTR Certified 10&Under Coach, Certified Junior 11-17 Coach and PTR Certified Performance Coach. He holds a Sport Science Certification with the ITPA and is a Tennis Performance Trainer. And He holds Toni Nadal World Mastery Certificate. 

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Calvin became part of the ACTA team in 2020 when the ACTA finalized their partnership with the Lafayette Consolidated Government to manage the Beaver Park and Thomas Park tennis facilities and the ACTA was fortunate to hire Calvin as the Tennis director of these two centers. Since relocating to Lafayette, LA Calvin's optimistic spirit and creativity has renewed and increased tennis participation at our public tennis facilities. He has established relationships with many organizations within the community. Calvin is a tennis ambassador on and off the courts! If you have an idea or need his facilities for an event, the answer is always yes, how can I help. He truly believes tennis is for everyone. He collaborates with the private clubs to build local competitive junior programs and has hosted many USTA level 6 and 7 junior tournaments. He's spearheading changes to the middle school tennis league and he's also involved with several of the high school tennis teams and homeschool groups. He's joined forces with the Boys Scouts, area Home School groups and LASOAR to make tennis available to kids of all ages and backgrounds. He even has programs in local daycare facilities that teach tennis fundamentals focusing on motor skills through fun age-appropriate games. He's always adding a new twist to his tennis programming, gaining traction and most importantly retention. On the adult side, he has organized ladies team practices, hosted USTA State tournaments, run Tennis Apprentice programs and created many opportunities for the community to learn and participate in tennis. 

Ever since Calvin moved to Lafayette, he has demonstrated an innovative vision for our tennis community and an enthusiasm for providing quality instruction, programming, and events for our Acadiana community. It is a great privilege to award him the Professional of the Year award and to also congratulate him on winning the Southern Pro of the Year award.