Native American Heritage Month Spotlight - Craig Pasqua

National Native American Heritage Month was enacted in the early 90s and is celebrated each year in November. This year, we are spotlighting local Tournament Director and long-time USTA NorCal volunteer, Craig Pasqua.

Pasqua feels it is essential to celebrate Native American heritage, especially in the tennis community, since the Native community often shies away from the tennis court.

“I had no role models growing up as a Native American,” Pasqua said. “My parents didn’t play. I really didn’t have any direction. There were also no professional Native American players and there still aren't.” 

But that didn’t stop the Oklahoma native from pursuing a sport he grew to love.  

Pasqua began his tennis career at the age of nine after a non-Native friend approached him about playing tennis one summer. 

The long-time NorCal resident was hesitant at first because Native Americans were not allowed to join country clubs in Oklahoma at the time, but luckily he was able to take lessons at the local YMCA.

“I got started, stuck with it, and played a little bit in college,” he said. “I continued to play as an adult and I ended up making it to the Native American Indian Tennis Nationals and won the championship in 2003.” 

Wanting to give back, Pasqua has taught tennis on 40 Indian Reservations in 10 different states throughout the years. Although Pasqua is no longer an active tennis player, he remains heavily involved in the Northern California tennis community. 

In addition to his many years of high school coaching, he can now be found directing tournaments in the South Bay and has even picked up officiating. He has also coached Junior Team Tennis teams for the past 15 years. Not to mention he served as both a USTA NorCal Board Member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair, and Junior Council Member in the past couple of decades. 

Pasqua feels it is essential to stay connected to the sport as a minority.

“Serving in a leadership role is symbolic. It shows the Native community that traditionally lacks access to tennis that it’s okay to aspire to become a tennis player and become involved with a great organization like the USTA,” he said. 

Along with his volunteering at USTA, he has also served as the first non-Latino board member of La Raza Roundtable, an organization that brings together elected officials, community leaders, and community organizations in the Hispanic community, despite the fact he doesn’t know much Spanish.

Pasqua emphasizes that his passion for Diversity & Inclusion extends beyond just tennis.

“I work a lot with the Native community and Latino Community,” he said. “I enjoy being an environmental and social justice activist when I’m not on the tennis court.” 

The tournament director is also a part of a Native American Television show produced in San Jose and broadcast on a Canadian network focused on the Native culture with approximately 20 million viewers across the country.

But when asked about his greatest achievement, all signs point back to tennis.

“I’m very proud that I’ve been a high school tennis coach for 18 years, I really enjoy coaching at the high school level,” he said. “I’m also proud of coaching Junior Team Tennis and going to the National Championships twice within the last five years with my 14 and under team.”