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Sports on TV for Monday, Oct. 27

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 10:57 GMT by Associated Press

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Columbus Crew SC Partners with Washington, D.C., to Launch Youth Tennis Initiative

The Columbus Crew Soccer Club announced a new partnership with the District of Columbia’s tennis community to host a high‑profile exhibition match and tournament aimed at expanding access to the sport for young players in the nation's capital. The event, set for May 15 at the historic Capital Tennis Club on the National Mall, will feature the Crew’s first‑team players, a roster of rising U.S. tennis stars, and a series of clinics designed to introduce children to the fundamentals of the game.

A Mission of Community Outreach

The partnership builds on the Crew’s long‑standing “Crew Connect” community program, which has already supported hundreds of youth sports projects across Ohio. “We’re excited to bring that same spirit of service to a new city and a new sport,” said Crew owner Kevin Payne in a statement. “Tennis is a gateway to healthier lifestyles, academic success, and lifelong friendships. By collaborating with Washington, D.C.’s top tennis organization, we’re opening doors for kids who might not otherwise have the chance to play.”

The District of Columbia Tennis Association (DCTA), the nonprofit that runs most of the city’s public‑court programs, is equally enthusiastic. “This partnership gives us a platform to reach a larger, more diverse group of children and families,” said DCTA executive director Melissa Thompson. “We’re hopeful that the Crew’s national profile will generate greater visibility and funding for our programs.”

What the Day Will Look Like

The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a 12‑player “Crew Invitational” featuring a mix of Crew midfielders and defenders who have trained at local tennis clubs, against a squad of collegiate players from the University of Maryland, the University of Virginia, and other schools. Although the players are not professional tennis competitors, their athleticism and sportsmanship will provide an engaging showcase for spectators.

Following the match, a series of clinics will run in parallel: a beginner’s “Grand Slam” workshop for children aged 8‑12, a “Power Serve” training for teens, and a mixed‑ability “Doubles Delight” session led by former U.S. Open finalists. The clinics will be free and open to all ages, with the Crew’s community outreach team handing out racquets and balls to the first 200 participants.

Fundraising and Scholarships

The event will serve as a fundraiser for the DCTA’s “Scholarship Fund,” which provides financial assistance to at‑risk youth for summer tennis camps and equipment purchases. Crew captain Nick Lodewick, who grew up in a single‑parent household in Columbus, will donate a portion of his match fee to the scholarship pool. In a statement, Lodewick said, “Playing for a cause that matters to me feels right. I hope that my involvement can help a kid from Washington get a chance to play the sport they love.”

In addition to the scholarship fund, the Crew will host a silent auction featuring signed memorabilia, signed jerseys, and a private dinner with the team’s coaching staff. All proceeds will go to the DCTA.

Linking Sports and Education

The partnership also underscores the Crew’s commitment to using sports as a platform for education. The event will feature a “Brain‑Body” segment in which the Crew’s mental‑health specialist will talk about the cognitive benefits of tennis, citing studies that show the sport improves memory, focus, and emotional regulation. The Crew’s youth soccer coach, who runs a mentoring program in a Columbus high school, will discuss how skills learned on the court translate to leadership on the field and in the classroom.

The Crew’s collaboration with the DCTA is part of a broader strategy to broaden the club’s community footprint. In a recent interview with the Columbus Dispatch, Payne explained that the Crew’s goal is to “expand our brand beyond Columbus and demonstrate that we’re a club that cares about people in the entire country.” The partnership is expected to spur similar collaborations in other cities, especially those with large youth populations and limited access to quality sports programs.

Future Plans and Community Impact

According to the Crew’s outreach coordinator, the event will be followed by a series of quarterly “Crew Tennis Days” in Washington, D.C., featuring a mix of on‑court activity and educational workshops. The Crew also plans to donate a full set of racquets to the DCTA each year, along with a portion of ticket sales from the club’s regular season games, to keep the momentum going.

The DCTA is tracking the event’s impact on youth participation rates and hopes to see a measurable increase in the number of young players enrolling in summer tennis camps. Preliminary projections estimate that the first tournament could add as many as 500 new participants to the city’s public‑court system.

Conclusion

The Columbus Crew’s partnership with Washington, D.C.’s tennis community is a bold step toward leveraging professional sports to foster youth development. By combining the Crew’s resources, fan base, and dedication to community service with the DCTA’s expertise in youth tennis, the event promises to deliver an engaging, educational, and charitable experience for players and spectators alike. As the city’s courts prepare to host the Crew’s inaugural exhibition match, many are watching to see how this collaboration might set a precedent for sports teams and local communities to work together in service of the next generation.