At Greater Newark Tennis & Education, we believe in the power of sports and learning to transform lives. We are using tennis as a vehicle to open doors. Our mission is to provide young people with access to high-quality tennis instruction, academic programs, and life skills development—ensuring they have the tools to succeed both on and off the court. Founded in 2018, GNTE has served over 800 kids in the greater Newark area with free tennis and educational programs.
Education is at the heart of our program both on and off the court. We partner with Seton Hall University for an enriching summer educational program. The program focuses on developing strong Social Emotional Learning skills while using relevant moments in history, culture and basic academia as jumping off points.
Beyond the game, we equip students with essential life skills—such as goal-setting, perseverance, and leadership—that prepare them for success in school, careers, and life.
Unique to GNTE, parents and caregivers are provided tennis instruction and educational opportunities with our coaching and educational staff–getting the whole family involved, furthering the community impact.
Althea Gibson: Our program is inspired by the legend of Althea Gibson and we are proud that our home is the Althea Gibson Tennis Center. Ms. Gibson was born in South Carolina but raised in Harlem, New York. She rose to be one of the greatest tennis players of her time. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title when she won the French Open. The following year she won Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals which was the precursor to the U.S. Open. In 1958, she repeated that feat. In both 1957 and 58 she was voted by the Associated Press as the female athlete of the year. In all, she won 11 grand slam tournaments, five singles titles, five doubles titles and a title in mixed doubles. She was a true trailblazer in the sport of tennis, breaking through racial barriers and paving the way for future champions like Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters.
After her tennis career, Ms. Gibson went on to become a professional golfer and spent five years as one of the top 50 money winners in the game. Then, when she finally finished playing professional sports, Ms. Gibson directed women’s sports and recreation for the Essex County Parks Commission. In 1976, she capped off her remarkable career by being named as New Jersey’s first female Commissioner of Athletics.
Ms. Gibson lived the last twenty years of her life in East Orange, New Jersey. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971, and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. Her statue now graces the grounds of the U.S. Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows and the Althea Gibson Tennis Center in Branch Brook Park.
Through a partnership with Seton Hall University’s College of Education and Human Services, GNTE provides a robust educational program in tandem with our tennis instruction. The approach for 2024, was game-based cognitive-behavioral curriculum focused on social emotional learning. Overall, the program was designed to provide students with appropriate coping skills, teaching them to navigate social interactions through an interactive format while also teaching them about people who exemplified similar skills and resiliency.
The first two weeks focused on expanding social skills and cognitive abilities pertaining to communication and emotional intelligence. The following two weeks included a historical component that focused on the history and accomplishments of Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson and the importance of teamwork.
Bob is a native of Newark, New Jersey, and he brings unparalleled passion and experience to the children and families served by GNTE. He volunteers with the USTA, including as a member of the USTA Eastern’s Junior Competition Committee and a coordinator for USTA Eastern’s High School Play Days.
Dr. Arocho is responsible for an array of student- and College community-related initiatives, including leadership of community development opportunities with the aim to engage, academically and professionally prepare, as well as acknowledge the achievements of faculty, administrators, students, and alumni. Additional areas of leadership include oversight of undergraduate and graduate student services and supports, establishing and maintaining internal and external community partnerships, and the development of co-curricular opportunities to contribute to and enhance the College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Karen serves as the Board Chair and Executive Director of GNTE.
Charlie was a federal prosecutor at the United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey for 18 years. He received a J.D. in 1986 from St. John’s University School of Law, and a BA from Fordham University. In 2016 he received a Master’s of Professional Studies in Homeland Security from Penn State.
Charlie was the founding Executive Director of GNTE and previously was a board member of the Trenton NJTL.
Robyn is an avid tennis player and fan. She is past President and current Vice President of the Board of Trustees for The Maplewood Club and has served for several years as a Series Leader for the NJ Women’s Tennis League.
