TEMPE, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (“ITA”) in partnership with Wilson Racquet Sports is pleased to announce the 2022 Wilson ITA National Promoters of the Year. Given to two individuals annually, Heather Mixon of Nova Southeastern and James Bell of Santa Clara University have been selected as this year’s winners.
“The ITA National Promoters of the Year is an amazing opportunity for our interns to get a first taste of what it is like to work in the sporting industry,” proclaims German Cuesta, Wilson Sports Marketing Manager – North America. “It is a pleasure for us to have two such bright individuals like Heather and James on board with us this summer. Not only will they benefit from this great learning experience, but they will also be of huge help for us here at Wilson during one of the busiest times in the tennis year. I am looking forward to making this something that will hopefully help them in their development as young professionals in the world of sports and that will motivate them to make a career out of it.”
Beginning in 2009, the Wilson ITA National Promoter of the Year Award recognizes two individuals who advance the game of tennis by devoting consistent time and effort to promotional activities, and by supporting and bringing awareness to their school program and to college tennis in general.
“Our Association’s longest-standing partner is Wilson,” said ITA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Timothy Russell. “The Promoter of the Year program is one of the many collaborative efforts that the ITA and Wilson support that advance and elevate our sport. We offer congratulations to Heather and James and are confident that their lives will be changed in positive ways, as tennis truly is a transformative endeavor.”
Mixon, who now serves as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Nova Southeastern University, has evolved from a star player at the University of West Florida to a bright up and coming coach at a Top-Five Division II Women’s program in the nation.
Graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Florida in 2019, Mixon was a star both on and off the court for the Argonauts helping lead the team to four consecutive Gulf South Conference Championships, an NCAA National Runner-Up Finish, and the most matches won in a single season in program history.
Now pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at Nova Southeastern, Mixon is on track to graduate in the Spring of 2023 with her masters degree.
“I am thrilled to be working for a prestigious company that shares the same passion for tennis that I do,” stated Mixon. “I am looking forward to learning as much as possible over the next few months, and I am thankful to intern for a business that combines my love for a sport with a job.”
Bell, who is an incoming senior at Santa Clara University, is fulfilling a lifelong dream in playing college tennis and advancing the game both on and off the court.
After beginning his collegiate career at Louisville, Bell decided to head back home to Santa Clara where he has spent the past two seasons of his career. At Santa Clara, Bell primarily plays from the No. 4 position in singles as well as the No. 2 and No. 3 positions in doubles.
Academically, Bell is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Marketing where he plans to graduate next spring.
“Growing up in Fremont, California, playing tennis in college was always a goal of mine and now being able to have my collegiate experience aid me in finding this internship has been a dream come true,” says Bell. “Being able to marry a sport that I love with a business passion of mine being marketing has been extremely educational and exciting for me and I want to thank the ITA and Wilson Sporting Goods for this amazing opportunity.”
Both Mixon and Bell will now receive a paid summer internship to work at Wilson’s global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, in its Grassroots Marketing department.
Here, the National Promoters of the Year will assist with the day-to-day projects for the entire Grassroots and Marketing team. Interns will have an opportunity to work and experience all the different facets of Wilson Racquet Sports from tennis balls, racquets (performance and recreational), promotions/marketing, U.S. tour, indoor (racquetball, squash, badminton and paddle), accessories and apparel/footwear.
About the ITA
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is the governing body of college tennis and is committed to serving college tennis and returning the leaders of tomorrow while promoting both the athletic and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, founded in 1956, is comprised of nearly 1,700 men’s and women’s varsity tennis teams representing over 1,250 institutions, administers numerous regional and national championships, and the ITA College Tennis Rankings for nearly 20,000 college varsity student-athletes at NCAA Division I, II, and III; NAIA; and Junior College levels. The ITA also has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership, and sportsmanship. For more information on the ITA, visit WeAreCollegeTennis.com and follow the ITA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Wilson Racquet Sports
Wilson Racquet Sports is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sports equipment and owned by Amer Sports. Wilson designs, manufactures and distributes sporting goods throughout the world and focuses on making technologically advanced products which help players of all levels perform better. Wilson’s core sport categories include: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis). For more information, visit www.wilson.com.
