Press Release: For Immediate Release August 29, 2023
Conrad Weiser Tennis Facility was named USTA National Outstanding Educational Tennis Facility of the Year on Monday, August 28 at a special ceremony at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. Representatives from Conrad Weiser were: Conrad Weiser Tennis Head Coach and Conrad Weiser Tennis Association President Ryan Knarr, Conrad Weiser Director of Facilities and Grounds Eric Lutz, Conrad Weiser administrator Dr. Alissa Sweigart as well as the facilities court builder, Tom Breneman President of the Breneman Company in Lancaster, PA.
ABOUT THE AWARD:
Each year, the USTA nationally recognizes facilities throughout the country to encourage increasingly high standards for construction and/or renovation. Facilities were voted on in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-11 courts or large tennis centers with 12 or more courts; Private Facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis (small: 2-11 courts; large: 12 or more courts); and Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools. 2023 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
ABOUT CONRAD WEISER TENNIS FACILITY CONRAD WEISER SCHOOL DISTRICT- ROBESONIA, PA Conrad Weiser Tennis Facility was renovated in 2012-2013 as part of a two-year project. This included the facility and school district receiving a USTA National facility assistance grant for the project through the school tennis programs and community tennis programs run by the Conrad Weiser Tennis Association. Professional-level lighting was added to all 5 courts as well. The facility was resurfaced again in 2021 with its trademark navy blue and light blue court color with USTA 36’ and 60’ lines offering progressive development for red and orange ball play for youth players ages 4-12 for Tennis in PE and after school programs. In addition to its use for Conrad Weiser tennis programs, Physical Education classes, and the Conrad Weiser Tennis Association community programs, CW Tennis facility also hosts the Conrad Weiser Hits for Hope Tennis Tournament every June benefiting a different charity each year as the largest annual tennis tournament in Pennsylvania with 250-300 players each June.
ABOUT THE BUILDER: TOM BRENEMAN- THE BRENEMAN COMPANY- LANCASTER, PA Lancaster, PA One of the premier court builders in Pennsylvania for over 50 years, Tom Brenneman and the Brenneman company has specialized in building tennis courts for high schools, colleges, public, and private facilities and has worked closely with many facilities in the region to apply and get approved for USTA national facility assistance. Breneman has worked closely with CWTA President and CW Head Coach Ryan Knarr and Conrad Weiser Director of Facilities and Grounds to renovate the facility in 2012 and again resurface in 2021.
QUOTES:
Dr. Ryan Giffing: Superintendent Conrad Weiser School District
“We are very proud of our students, staff, and administrators for creating an environment where tennis has become more than a sport. Those individuals who participate in our program learn not only the game of tennis but valuable lessons in leadership and life that they will carry with them forever. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I want to thank USTA for this recognition. We are honored and humbled.” Dr. Ryan R. Giffing, Superintendent
Ryan Knarr: CWTA President and Conrad Weiser Tennis Head Coach
“Our Conrad Weiser Tennis program is humbled to win this National Outstanding Facility Award,” said Conrad Weiser Head Coach and CWTA President Ryan Knarr, who in 2021 was named the USPTA National High School Tennis Coach of the Year. “Conrad Weiser tennis facility has been a place for the last 11 years that has inspired a generation of student-athletes and our community to share in the magic and power of tennis. It is a first-class facility that brings together young people to help them reach places they thought they could not go, and achieve dreams they only dared to dream. I want our kids and their families in our community to realize that there is no better place to grow up and also the impact tennis can have to change their lives.” said Knarr.