LOS ANGELES, May 4, 2024 (USTA Press Release)
Representatives from the USTA Foundation Incorporated (USTA Foundation), the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), joined with tennis and cultural icon Stan Smith Friday for a surprise visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) to celebrate the L.A. premiere of UNINTERRUPTED’s documentary “Who Is Stan Smith?”. A portion of the film’s proceeds will benefit the USTA Foundation’s flagship National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network.
The NJTL network, created in 1969 by tennis legends Arthur Ashe and Charlie Pasarell, along with Sheridan Snyder, comprises over 250 chapters nationwide—including BGCMLA—and provides more than 150,000 under-resourced youth access to free or low-cost tennis and academic programming. The USTA Foundation also presented BGCMLA with a grant to resurface tennis courts at its Challengers Club in South L.A.
“Who Is Stan Smith?” showcases the journey of International Tennis Hall of Fame member, sneaker icon, and humanitarian Stan Smith. The film tells the story of the groundbreaking athlete who went from being one of the world’s greatest tennis stars to a leading civil rights and AIDS activist, blazing a trail along the way with his namesake Adidas sneakers – the iconic shoe that has become a fashion statement for hip-hop musicians and celebrities for more than 50 years. The film features extensive interviews with Stan Smith, his family, and many of the world’s most famous athletes and celebrities, including John McEnroe, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and Donald Dell.
“The sport of tennis has given so much to me in my life, and I’m excited that this film will help future generations both on and off the court,” said two-time major singles champion and former World No.1 Stan Smith. “The NJTL network was co-founded by my dear friends Arthur Ashe and Charlie Pasarell, and I’m proud that my story will help support their legacies and the USTA Foundation in this way.”
“Stan is a person who has transcended the boundaries of the tennis court to become a global icon,” said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of the USTA Foundation. “He is a shining example of the excellence, resilience, and determination that we aim to instill in the thousands of young people who participate in NJTL programs nationwide, and we are honored to be the documentary’s official beneficiary.”
Produced by UNINTERRUPTED, the award-winning athlete storytelling brand within The SpringHill Company (TSHC), founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, and in association with CALICO, “Who Is Stan Smith?” is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Danny Lee and set to open in more than 50 markets in May through distributors Monkey Wrench Films – the independent film distribution company helmed by filmmaker Tom Putnam and Henry C. Lystad.
