Mission Statement

The Corpus Christi Tennis Association has as its main purposes the furtherance of charitable and educational activities, particularly in the field of tennis in and around the City of Corpus Christi, Texas; the encouragement and promotion of good health and character by outdoor recreation and tennis competition; and to organize and manage tournaments and stimulate tennis in general. The CCTA is not organized for profit. All dues and contributions received by the association shall be used for the aforementioned purposes.

Brief History

CCTA was incorporated in 1959 and recognized as a charitable organization in 1960. Through the efforts of its original members, principally Lloyd Sessions, CCTA's first president, and philanthropist Howard E. Butt, Sr., CCTA caused a twelve court tennis complex, the H-E-B Tennis Center, to be built then handed over to the City of Corpus Christi on October 29, 1960. Lloyd Session's dream was a tennis center with multiple lighted courts and instruction provided at a low cost so that all could play tennis. A center court and grandstands were added in 1962, three more courts plus four practice courts were added in 1964, lights were added in 1968, and in 1975, again through the generosity of Howard E. Butt, Sr., an administration building, pro shop and locker rooms were added. A 1977 City bond issue provided funds for the development of the H-E-B Tennis Center into a 24 court complex.

Although CCTA has been, and continues to be, deeply involved with the H-E-B Tennis Center, its principal emphasis remains on the guiding purposes expressed in its mission statement. CCTA organizes and hosts several annual competitive tennis tournaments. And since recreation is as important as competition, CCTA has continued to be involved deeply in recreational tennis activities. Most CCTA members participate to some extent in USTA sanctioned recreational tennis leagues or year around tennis playing groups.

The fruits of CCTA's volunteer efforts are the reinvestment of its profits in the community. CCTA's charitable initiatives include, among many others:

• Annual scholarship grants for outstanding and for needy graduating high school seniors;

• travel assistance for up and coming junior tennis players who go to regional, statewide, and national competitions;

• funding for programs that introduce youth, particularly the disadvantaged, to tennis and continue the training through their development;

• funding training and certification of tennis officials for USTA (amateur and professional), UIL, and NCAA sanctioned competitions.