Kevin Spacey to Serve as Celebrity Auctioneer at 13th Annual USTA Serves Opening Night Gala
USTA Serves, the national charitable foundation of the USTA, has announced that Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey will serve as the celebrity auctioneer at its 13th Annual Opening Night Gala on Aug. 26 at the 2013 U.S. Open. Also headlining the event are International Tennis Hall of Famer Billie Jean King, and the world number one-ranked doubles team of Bob & Mike Bryan. Renowned sports journalist and USTA Serves President Mary Carillo will host the event. The Opening Night Gala is the major fundraiser for USTA Serves and contributes more than $500,000 to help fund college scholarships and program grants to community-based tennis and education programs throughout the country.
The evening will kick off with a reception followed by a celebratory toast by Moët & Chandon recognizing the evening’s honored guests—King for her outstanding legacy and trailblazing accomplishments, and Bob and Mike Bryan as the most successful doubles team in the Open Era.
The highlight of the night includes a live auction led by Spacey, star of the new TV series “House of Cards.” In addition, a silent auction will allow supporters to bid on exclusive, one-of-a-kind packages, experiences, memorabilia and more. The silent auction is open to the public at www.501auctions.com/servesgala to bid on available items, and will close at the end of the Opening Night Gala on August 26. The evening also will include first round of matches and the U.S. Open opening night ceremony.
“I am looking forward to joining USTA Serves and being part of a successful Opening Night event,” said Spacey. “I commend the foundation’s commitment to supporting youth and organizations around the nation who strive for greatness through tennis and education.”
To date, USTA Serves has awarded $16 million in grants and scholarships to people and programs throughout the country in order to provide at-risk and underserved youth with greater opportunities to realize success. That total includes more than $12 million to fund 247 programs in 47 states, including $900,000 to adaptive tennis programs for people with special needs, and more than $4.5 million in college scholarships and player incentive awards to more than 900 middle school students and high school seniors.
“USTA Serves is committed to helping young people improve their lives through the powerful combination of tennis and education,” said Carillo. “The Opening Night Gala helps us to fund our mission thanks to our many supporters and guests. We are thrilled that they can join us for what will be another outstanding occasion.”
