ORLANDO, Fla.– The United States Tennis Association announced that the FGCU Tennis Complex is one of 41 winners in the USTA's annual Outstanding Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country. All 41 recipients were honored at an awards reception held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York as part of the 2026 US Open.
 
The FGCU Tennis Complex features 12 lighted courts with courtside bleachers and serves as home to the Florida Gulf Coast University men's and women's tennis programs. Ahead of the 2026 season, a USTA grant made possible through a collaboration among FGCU Athletics, the USTA and USTA Florida resurfaced all 12 courts in time for the university to host the 2026 ASUN Tennis Championships. The courts are also open for public use when the Eagles teams are not competing, extending the benefit to students and the surrounding community.
 
"First of all, we want to thank the USTA, the Florida section, and FGCU for the support to enhance our facility. This award had many people helping with the process, it's a win for FGCU, Southwest Florida, and all the past and present Eagle family" FGCU head men's tennis coach Josh Molino said. "We are very honored to be selected as one of the best educational tennis facilities in the United States. Our goal is to make the FGCU Tennis Complex a place and a program where you can play, socialize, learn and create a lifetime experience."
 
Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities' participation in grassroots tennis programs.
 
"Facilities like the FGCU Tennis Complex are the foundation of tennis in America. Their commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience the sport exemplifies what it means to grow the game at the grassroots level," said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Head of Section Partnerships, USTA. "Their work is helping to ensure tennis continues to thrive in their community."
 
Nominated 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); Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools; and Innovation, which recognize facilities that have been particularly innovative when it comes to delivering tennis. All 2026 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
 
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