TENNIS LOSES A VISIONARY IN SEENA HAMILTON – USTA CEO AND PRESIDENT KATRINA ADAMS ISSUED THIS STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF THE EASTER BOWL FOUNDER

Written by: Staff on 11th August 2016

TENNIS LOSES A VISIONARY IN SEENA HAMILTON - USTA CEO AND PRESIDENT KATRINA ADAMS ISSUED THIS STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF THE EASTER BOWL FOUNDER |

Arthur Ashe and Seena Hamilton in 1984; Photo credit: Bob Kenas / Easter Bowl (SEENA’s favorite Photo)

It is with a great deal of sadness that I share the news that Seena Hamilton, founder of the Easter Bowl and one of our sport’s most passionate proponents , has died after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 92. Seena was truly one-of-a-kind, a pioneer and a dynamo in every sense of the word, whose unparalleled commitment to junior tennis helped generations of the game’s top names to make their initial mark in the sport. Founded in 1968, the Easter Bowl is one of tennis’ greatest success stories, annually bringing together the best junior players in the country to test their stills against one another. Indeed, the list of those who have competed at the Easter Bowl through the years reads like a “Who’s Who” of our sport.

Seena’s commitment to her event and to the juniors who played in it is legendary. She worked tirelessly to bring in sponsors and media to help raise the profile of the junior game as a whole. She made her event a family affair, welcoming parents and coaches along with their players and creating a uniquely social atmosphere. She instituted the idea of player surveys to better understand those who competed, and she brought in a host of experts to offer these young players information of health, fitness, nutrition, college opportunities and the pro game. The Easter Bowl was more than a tournament to Seena—it was her opportunity to touch and enhance the lives of these junior talents.

Seena was smart and she was sincere, becoming a mentor for many up-and-coming young players. She loved them all and she loved our sport with a singular passion that set her apart. She will be missed by all of us who knew her and counted her as a friend, but her legacy will live on through the Easter Bowl and the host of champions who will always be associated with it. Our sincere sympathies go out to Seena’s family and her many friends.

Katrina Adams