HomeAid Orange County and Michael Chang Team Up to
Celebrate 25 Years at 2014 Tennis Charity Tournament
July 2, 2014 – Irvine, CA: Southern California tennis players have begun to sign up for the fourth annual Michael Chang Tennis Classic (MCTC), which will take place the weekend of July 25th- 27th at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.
The MCTC is a one-of-a-kind charity tennis tournament hosted annually and this year, partial proceeds from the MCTC will benefit HomeAid Orange County, a nonprofit organization with a mission to end homelessness by building new lives for homeless families and individuals through advocacy, development of shelters and service. This year marks a milestone year for both Michael Chang and HomeAid as both are commemorating their 25th year of accomplishments at the tennis classic.
Michael Chang set numerous "youngest player records," turning pro at just 15 years of age. In 1987, he was the youngest player to win a main draw match at the U.S. Open and the youngest to reach a Tour semifinal. Becoming the youngest French Open / Grand Slam Champion ever in 1989, he then became the youngest to rank in the Top 5. This same year, 1989, HomeAid was launched by the Building Industry Association of Orange County to help develop shelters for the homeless. Over the years, Michael Chang channeled his talents and success into helping others through his foundation. Over the years, HomeAid Orange County has developed 50 shelters and helped over 50,000 homeless. Twenty-five years in the making, Michael Chang and HomeAid pair up to celebrate 25 years of accomplishments and raise much-needed funds for the work yet to be done.
The annual charity tennis tournament is expected to fill the courts with competitors in all categories from 3.5 to the Open. The popularity of the tennis tournament is compounded every year due to the well-run event being consolidated into a single weekend. As one player said last year, “The tournament itself is outstanding; one of the best tournaments I’ve played.”
In addition to bringing in financial sponsors, MCTC will be holding its first silent auction, including a few exciting autographed sports memorabilia items, the weekend prior to the sanctioned tournament. The auction will open July 19th at the annual public tennis clinic hosted by Michael Chang and other world class tennis pros for the first 125 people who sign up. The auction will remain open through an evening exhibition match that will include Michael Chang on center court.
The non-sanctioned high school division of MCTC will be back at Irvine Valley College with the Sunday finals at the Newport Beach Tennis Club. This year’s high school finalists and champions will not only be receiving trophies, but also gift cards and other prizes.
Registration for the tennis clinic and the three day tennis tournament is now open. Many returning finalists and champions have already committed to play. Sign-ups can be done through the USTA website or by going to www.changtennis.com.
For more information on HomeAid Orange County, please visit www.homeaidoc.org.
