Imagine spending your entire life working toward one goal. You pour everything into early morning practices, sacrifice your weekends, and dedicate years of relentless effort to your craft, only to reach the moment you’ve dreamed of and discover that the hardest part is just beginning.
For college tennis players stepping onto the professional tour, that’s often the reality. The institutional support that defined their athletic careers disappears overnight. Athletes who once had easy-access to coaching staff, training facilities, team communities, and academic structure are now left to search for and fund that support themselves.
That’s where the Hurd Awards come in.
What Are the Hurd Awards?
Established in 2017 to honor the legacy of Mark Hurd, a passionate supporter of college tennis, the Hurd Awards are presented by the Universal Tennis Foundation and are among the most prestigious grants available to American college tennis players transitioning to the professional tour.
Each year, one male and one female champion receive $100,000 to fund their professional tennis career. Since 2024, The Person First has partnered with the Universal Tennis Foundation to expand the awards, adding $40,000 grants for male and female finalists, because too many deserving young athletes were still being left without the support they need. These grants go directly toward the real costs of turning professional and provide meaningful, targeted support to elite athletes pursuing their dreams.
Past recipients include names you may now recognize from the professional tennis tour, including Danielle Collins (2017), Peyton Stearns (2023), and Ethan Quinn (2024). Each are players who once stood exactly where today’s recipients stand, on the threshold of a dream. It is clear that the Hurd Awards have truly made a difference in the lives of young athletes, giving them the tools to achieve greatness.
The 2026 Hurd Award Recipients
We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s outstanding recipients, four athletes who have demonstrated excellence not only on the court, but in the character and commitment they bring to everything they do.
2026 Champions:
2026 Finalists:
Congratulations to each of these incredible athletes.
Our Shared Mission
When the institutional support of a college program disappears, most athletes experience a sudden and overwhelming set of new pressures to manage.
The financial burden alone can be crushing. Without adequate support, even the most talented athletes can find themselves overwhelmed, having to focus more on planning, paychecks, and logistics than the sport they love. The constant pressure of funding a new professional career fuels cycles of stress and burnout, and professional careers may be cut short, with players not truly given a fair chance to prove themselves.
The next generation of professionals deserves better. Through our partnership with The Universal Tennis Foundation, we are giving athletes the opportunity to focus on their sport, not financial burdens, during this critical period of transition.
More Than Financial Support
While financial relief is critical, so is equipping athletes with the mental, emotional, and physical tools to navigate this transition. When athletes are supported as whole people, not just as competitors, they are far better positioned to build sustainable success.
It is no secret that the constant pressure of funding a professional career can take a serious toll on mental health, fueling anxiety, self-doubt, and chronic stress. It can shake even the most talented athlete’s confidence and sense of identity, leading to burnout and rushed decisions. Addressing that side of the transition is just as important as addressing the financial one.
That’s why, as part of the Hurd Awards, winners are given the opportunity to dive into The Person First’s online curriculum, designed to help them manage their energy, strengthen whole-person well-being, and build the habits and mindset needed for sustainable high performance.
Our online programs are based on 30+ years of applied research by world-renowned Performance Psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr and give athletes the tools to align who they are on the inside with how they show up in the world. Dr. Loehr’s work has shaped some of the greatest performers in sport, including Novak Djokovic, who has attributed much of his success and sustainability on tour to his work with Dr. Loehr.
Novak shares that working with Dr. Jim Loehr completely redesigned the way he viewed himself and his career by grounding himself in the simple question: “How would you like people to remember you?” Novak shares that, “It’s not only about yourself, what you do, achievements, fame, and money…. It’s really about how you make your mark in the world. What’s the legacy? What do you leave behind or how do people benefit from you?” (via Jay Shetty Podcast)
For newcomers on the professional tour, learning practices of self-reflection, self-care, and grounding themselves in their values and purpose, they will truly be able to build long lasting, successful careers.
Putting the Person First
To Reese, Michael, Anne Christine, and Trevor, and to every person navigating a pivotal moment in life’s journey, we see you and we’re rooting for you. We truly believe that when you put your whole-self first – when you take care of yourself, stay true to your values, and keep your purpose clear, there’s no limit on how far you can go.
