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Racquet man: Michael Dowse '89 named CEO and executive director of the United States Tennis Association

Alumni

Athletics

Portland Magazine

February 12, 2020

Michael DowseThe new CEO and executive director of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) is none other than 1989 UP alumnus Michael Dowse. He now heads the US’s national governing body for tennis at all levels, from recreational tennis to world-class professional events like the US Open.

Michael played on the Pilots tennis team for four seasons, with MVP awards in 1986 and 1988 and Most Inspirational Player in 1987. He met his wife, Jennifer (Rooklidge) Dowse ’88 back when she was a star Pilots volleyball player. He has stayed close to tennis throughout his career, with a stint as director of tennis footwear for NIKE and most recently as president of Wilson Sporting Goods.

Michael knows he faces big challenges and responsibilities when it comes to growing professional as well as amateur tennis. “It’s actually bigger than tennis,” he says. “We have a big national issue with inactivity among kids, and we need to get them active in sports again. I can personally contribute to that cause, but tennis as a sport can be a big part of that as well.” He points out that participation numbers are down for most sports, including football, basketball, and even soccer. He plans to tackle the problem from the ground up. “We’ll need to be grassroots driven. A big national campaign that tells kids to play tennis won’t work. We have to have a pathway for them; we have to put rackets in their hands when they’re very young.”