UNCF Hosts Special Opportunity for Tennis Champion Coco Gauff to Meet Student Recipients of Her HBCU Scholarship

For 10 HBCU student scholar-athletes, a meeting with tennis champion Coco Gauff was a dream come true. 

On Nov. 2, UNCF hosted a Zoom inviting Tennis Champion Coco Gauff to meet 10 student-athletes who are this year’s recipients of the Coco Gauff Tennis Scholarship. 

The Coco Gauff Tennis Scholarship provides financial support to student-athletes who compete on intercollegiate tennis teams at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Gauff has contributed $250,000 to fund the scholarship, making her UNCF’s youngest major gift donor. 

The student-athletes who met with Gauff include: 

Iyana Nickens, senior, Winston-Salem State University, psychology major 

Jalaya Shaw, senior, UNCF-member Bethune-Cookman University, biology and biological sciences major 

Iyana Barber, senior, Winston-Salem State University, mass communications and media studies major 

Shawn Yon, senior, Howard University, business administration and management major 

Patrick Gregory, senior, UNCF-member Benedict College, business management, marketing and related support services major 

Brooklyn Bowen, senior, Albany State University, forensic science and technology major 

Brandy Alexis Babcock-Hannah, junior, Coppin State University, criminology major 

DeCora Antoine, sophomore, Southern University and A&M College, business administration and management major 

Ksheria Briggins, sophomore, UNCF-member Edward Waters University, computer and information systems, security/auditing/information assurance major 

Gauff shared with the scholars her commitment to supporting tennis at HBCUs and women and people of color in tennis. 

“Tennis is often an underfunded sport, particularly within these institutions,” Gauff noted. 

“Supporting tennis, especially women of or people of color in tennis is something that is super important to me and HBCUs in general.” 

She noted that several members of her family attended HBCUs. 

“So, I’m really happy to be able to have the resources to be able to support, and I know you know tennis is an expensive sport,” Gauff said. “I just want to make tennis as accessible as possible for everyone, and hopefully you guys are enjoying your experiences at your respective schools.” 

During the call, UNCF Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., thanked Gauff for being a role model and for providing scholarship opportunities for student-athletes. “That is incredible and very unique within itself,” Jenkins said. 

The scholarship recipients expressed appreciation and gratitude to Gauff and UNCF and discussed life as student-athletes, each balancing classes, training and hopes for the future. Gauff engaged with the students and responded to their questions including the challenges of balancing academics, athletics and professional transitions. 

She encouraged the student-athletes to trust their training and allow their bodies and minds time to adjust to a higher level of competition. 

The scholars came together to thank Coco Gauff. They left with something more: advice for the path forward.