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Grand Dedication “Capital Cup Friendraiser”
Celebrating Cadwalader Park Tennis Court Renovation
Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Serving up Bright Futures for NJTLT Student-Athletes
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, NJTL of Trenton hosted its Grand Dedication “Capital Cup Friendraiser” celebrating the newly renovated Cadwalader Park Tennis Courts. Under sunny skies, we welcomed players, families, supporters, elected officials, community leaders, and friends for a day filled with tennis, fellowship, and celebration. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make this special occasion such a wonderful success!
Guests enjoyed Drill & Play sessions with local teaching professionals, opportunities to rally with NJTLT Ashe Elite students, a free Red Ball Tennis Clinic, delicious breakfast and lunch buffets, and an awards ceremony recognizing some of NJTLT’s most valued partners. The event highlighted the power of tennis to bring people together while celebrating a significant investment in Trenton’s public recreational facilities.
A special part of the day was honoring three organizations whose leadership and partnership have helped advance NJTLT’s mission and strengthen opportunities for local youth: the USTA Foundation, City of Trenton, and Mercer County. We were also honored to welcome Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell as our keynote speaker, along with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy, Trenton City Councilwoman Teska Frisby, and Trenton Director of Recreation and Culture Paul Harris.
The newly renovated Cadwalader Park Tennis Courts represent decades of collaboration between NJTLT and its public and community partners. These improvements ensure that future generations of young people and families will continue to have access to safe, high-quality tennis facilities and the life-changing opportunities that come through participation in the sport.
All proceeds from the Grand Dedication “Friendraiser” directly support NJTL of Trenton’s mission to provide academic and tennis programs that expand opportunities for youth from under-resourced communities in Trenton and surrounding communities.
Our flagship Cadwalader Park Junior Champions Tennis Center is part of a national network of over 500 nonprofit youth organizations under the USTA Foundation. NJTL of Trenton has twice been named USTA Chapter of the Year, and our innovative ACE (Academic Creative Engagement) program is a nationally recognized model for integrating tennis and education.
PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 GRAND DEDICATION "CAPITAL CUP FRIENDRAISER"
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to professional photographer Beverly Schaefer for capturing the highlights of the day. Your exceptional work and the beautiful photos are truly appreciated!
2026 Honoree
City of Trenton
The City of Trenton is being honored in recognition of its long-standing partnership with the NJTLT and its commitment to expanding opportunities for local youth. Together, the City and NJTLT have built a collaboration rooted in youth development, community engagement, and the revitalization of public spaces.
Since 1975, NJTLT has been based at Trenton’s Cadwalader Park, working closely with the City of Trenton to operate and maintain municipal tennis facilities, including the Cadwalader Park tennis complex. NJTLT expanded its programming to include Villa Park in 2017. Through this public-private partnership, previously underutilized courts have been transformed into a nationally recognized community facility, including the development of the Daniel L. Haggerty Jr. Pavilion.
Serving as a primary youth outreach partner for the City’s parks and recreation system, NJTLT provides tennis, education, and mentoring programs to more than 2,500 children annually across Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton. The City of Trenton has played a vital role in supporting NJTLT’s mission through ongoing collaboration on facility improvements, community programming, and civic engagement events. This partnership continues to serve as a model for how cities and community organizations can work together to create lasting impact for young people.
2026 Honoree
Mercer County
Mercer County, New Jersey is a proud Capital Cup Honoree recognized for its long-standing commitment to strengthening communities and investing in opportunities for local youth. Through its ongoing partnership with NJTL of Trenton (NJTLT), the County has supported programs that use tennis, education, and mentorship as tools to help young people build confidence, discipline, and long-term success.
This collaboration reflects a shared focus on youth development and neighborhood enrichment, particularly in Trenton and other underserved communities. Mercer County has formally acknowledged NJTLT’s 50-year legacy of service through official proclamations and continues to support initiatives that activate public spaces and expand access to safe, structured programming for local youth.
Together, Mercer County and NJTLT have advanced community-based efforts such as the ASHE Program, which combines tennis instruction with academic support and personal development. By leveraging public parks and shared resources, this partnership helps ensure that young people have consistent access to enriching opportunities that foster growth on and off the court.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson will accept this honor on behalf of the County. A lifelong Mercer County resident, Benson grew up in Hamilton Township and has built a career in public service across local, county, and state government. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and later received a Master’s in Public Policy from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School. He began his career in elected office at age 25 on the Hamilton Township Council, later serving on the Mercer County Board of Commissioners and spending twelve years in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he sponsored nearly 400 bills signed into law. In 2023, he was elected County Executive, where he has focused on strengthening county services, improving fiscal stability, and expanding community initiatives such as Tourism, Food Security, and LGBTQIA+ Affairs, while also supporting regional investments that enhance quality of life for residents. He continues to reside in Hamilton Township with his wife, Dr. Hande Benson, and their son, Nicholas.
2026 Honoree
USTA Foundation
The USTA Foundation brings tennis, education, and mentorship together to transform the lives of young people in under-resourced communities across the country. The USTA Foundation accomplishes this mission through its support of a national network of over 270 community organizations nationwide –including NJTL of Trenton –that use tennis as a tool to help prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of life.
These organizations offer programs that combine tennis instruction with academic support, mentorship, social and emotional learning, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities that create pathways to success. In 2025 alone, this national network reached more than 233,000 young people. Through this relationship, NJTLT is able to strengthen and expand its programming locally, ensuring young people in the
Trenton area have access to high-quality tennis programs and meaningful youth development opportunities.
Tennis, with its unique emphasis on discipline, focus, and mental resilience, serves as a powerful learning tool that extends far beyond the game itself. Research consistently shows that youth sports participation positively impacts academic achievement, physical and mental health, and long-term career success. However, many young people in under-resourced communities continue to face significant barriers to entry—particularly in accessing sports like tennis. The USTA Foundation is committed to breaking down these barriers and ensuring equitable opportunities for young people to play, learn, and thrive.
While the USTA Foundation celebrates the accomplishments of standout alumni such as Frances Tiafoe, Robin Montgomery, Ann Li, Hailey Baptiste, Clervie Ngounoue and James Blake, its true mission is broader: to develop thriving, confident young adults and ensure that tennis remains a gateway to opportunity for generations to come.
Accepting this honor on behalf of the USTA Foundation is Robert Howland, Senior Director and Head of Programs & Social Impact for the USTA Foundation, who leads national youth development, community engagement, and strategic investment initiatives across the Foundation’s network of 272 National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters. With more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he specializes in building partnerships, expanding access and opportunity, and creating sustainable impact through sport, education, and community development. Most recently, he led the USTA Foundation’s partnership with the King Family on the Realize the Dream campaign, a national service initiative expected to generate more than 800,000 service hours, including more than 100 community events in recognition of Juneteenth across the Foundation’s NJTL network.
Presenting Sponsors
Ellen & Albert Stark
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Ginny Mason
Silver
Benedict-Willig Family
Tamara Franklin
Kochmann Family
Jane Rohlf and Ted Boyer
Patron
