FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mattapan, MA — On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the City of Boston honored beloved community leader and tennis trailblazer Albert “Bootsie” Lewis with the official renaming of the tennis courts at Hunt-Almont Park in Mattapan. The dedication ceremony took place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 40 Almont Street.

In attendance were Mayor Michelle Wu, representatives from the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, members of the Lewis family, and community leaders from Mattapan and Dorchester.

Albert “Bootsie” Lewis was a lifelong Mattapan resident, legendary tennis coach, and one of the co-founders of Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center (Sportsmen’s) in Dorchester—the first nonprofit indoor tennis club in the country built by and for the African-American community. Alongside fellow pioneers, Lewis helped build Sportsmen’s into a nationally recognized, award-winning institution that continues to break down barriers in tennis and youth enrichment.

During a time when systemic exclusion and financial barriers kept many Black athletes from accessing the sport, Lewis and his peers created a space where young people could learn, grow, and compete. His tireless dedication and leadership helped shape Sportsmen’s into what it is today: a vibrant hub for education, community wellness, and tennis excellence.

“Bootsie spent decades helping young people grow through tennis,” said Toni Wiley, CEO of Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center. “His commitment to the community made a lasting difference. It’s only fitting that these courts now carry his name.”

One of Lewis’s proudest achievements came in 1970, when he became a USPTA certified professional and began coaching full-time to serve his community. In 2000, he was named a lifetime board member at Sportsmen’s and later received the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Award in recognition of his decades of service.

In 2024, Lewis was inducted into the USTA New England Hall of Fame for his extraordinary impact on tennis and youth development in Boston and beyond.

About Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center
For nearly 65 years, Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center has used tennis to create opportunities for youth in Boston’s underserved neighborhoods. As one of the largest USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) programs in the country, Sportsmen’s serves over 5,000 young people each year with tennis, academics, life skills, and health and wellness programs. The center is also home to 300 adult members who engage in lessons, league play, and volunteerism. Learn more at www.sportsmenstennis.org.

Media Contact:

Katherine Cruise
Director of Communications and Marketing
Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center
kcruise@sportsmenstennis.org
617.288.9092