As a Community Tennis Coordinator with USTA Southern California, Bryan Hudson is more than just a dedicated professional, he’s a passionate advocate for making tennis accessible to all. Joining the team nine months ago, Bryan has channeled his love for the sport and his commitment to community service into a role where he can make a real impact.

Known for his infectious positivity, warmth, and unwavering dedication, Bryan embodies the spirit of USTA SoCal, consistently representing the organization with care and enthusiasm in every interaction. Whether he’s engaging with players, coaches, or volunteers, Bryan’s commitment to inclusivity and community shines through in everything he does.

ROOTS & BEGINNINGS

Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Bryan grew up in a family where sports were a central part of life. Though he didn’t start playing tennis until he was seven, his parents, both of whom had played multiple sports in their youth, encouraged Bryan and his older brother to get involved in sports as well. The brothers initially focused on basketball and baseball, but once Bryan discovered tennis, he became the one to introduce the sport to the rest of the family.

“I did not get into tennis until the age of seven,” stated Bryan. “I remember being at a restaurant and watching Venus Williams playing a match, and it just seemed like the coolest sport. I asked my grandma for a tennis racket for Christmas and forced my brother to get one too so that we could play together. We just went down to the local park and tried to emulate the pros we saw play on TV. Eventually, I forced my parents to get rackets too, so all four of us got into the sport.”

Like many others at the time, Bryan found inspiration in the Williams sisters, who were not only dominating the sport, but also redefining what could be accomplished in tennis. Their journey, particularly the challenges they faced in terms of fair treatment and accessibility, continues to drive Bryan today, fueling his passion for ensuring equal access and opportunities for all players.

“Venus and Serena were the ones that drew me to the sport,” Bryan added. “It was so awesome seeing them dominate for so many years. More than that, it was inspiring to see folks who looked like me and grew up not too far from where I did, be able to achieve so much in a sport that was not often kind or welcoming to them. They fought through adversity to be the very best.”

Once Bryan started playing tennis, he quickly became infatuated with the sport, constantly following his favorite pros on TV while beginning to compete as a junior. Though he admits that he takes the sport more seriously now from a competitive standpoint, his early tournament experience was mainly in junior satellites, where he played because he loved the game and enjoyed the exercise. As he grew older, Bryan focused primarily on tennis and volleyball throughout his middle and high school years, eventually moving away from baseball and basketball.

ACADEMIC JOURNEY

Bryan attended Brentwood School, where he made the varsity tennis team as a sophomore and was part of two CIF championship teams. Being part of such a competitive squad, Bryan relished the sense of team success, a feeling he still cherishes today as a member of adult leagues, particularly when playing doubles.

After graduation, he was accepted into the University of Southern California (USC), where he studied business with an emphasis on film and television. During his time at USC, Bryan took on a couple of internships in the entertainment industry, helping him to keep busy throughout the school year. He also worked as an intern in the admissions office and participated in the gospel choir, while supporting USC’s athletic teams. One important lesson he took away from his college years was the value of trying new things to help you discover what you truly enjoy doing.

FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER

After graduating from USC in 2013, Bryan remained at his alma mater to kickstart his career in college admissions. Over the next three years, he traveled the country, visited schools, conducted interviews, and reviewed applications at one of the most competitive universities in Southern California, and the nation. As his time in admissions came to a close, Bryan’s career took a turn, leading him to work with several tech startups in roles primarily focused on customer experience and community relations.

WORKING FOR USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

After concluding his most recent role and while actively seeking new opportunities, Bryan decided to drive to San Diego in February 2024 to attend a two-day coaching fundamentals workshop hosted by USTA SoCal. His goal was to become certified as a coach and earn some supplemental income while continuing his job search. During the workshop, Bryan had the chance to introduce himself to Kevin Finkelberg, USTA SoCal’s Manager of Schools, Wheelchair, and Adaptive Tennis, and Camille Hanson, a Community Tennis Coordinator with USTA SoCal. As he struck up a conversation with them, Bryan expressed his interest in helping out and offered his services as a coach for any future needs.

About a month later, Bryan noticed that a position had opened up with the Community Tennis Team, and he knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. With prior experience as a participant in USTA SoCal’s adult leagues, Bryan already understood the positive impact the organization had on the Southern California community, both on and off the tennis court. Eager to contribute to the growth and inclusivity that USTA SoCal fosters for players of all skill levels and abilities, Bryan applied for the role, and was later brought on in May as a Community Tennis Coordinator. This role perfectly aligned with Bryan’s passion for tennis and incorporated aspects of his previous jobs that he truly enjoyed, such as customer service, community engagement, and travel, making the decision to accept seem like a no-brainer. 

As a Community Tennis Coordinator, Bryan works to create opportunities and provide resources for individuals in Southern California who may have never had access to the sport before. Whether it’s introducing children to tennis for the first time or helping individuals with impairments or disabilities realize they can play, Bryan is committed to making tennis accessible for everyone. He strongly believes that success in tennis is achievable for all, regardless of ability.

“The core part of my role is making tennis accessible for all communities, especially the ones who likely have never been exposed to tennis,” Bryan stated. “This includes bringing tennis to schools and after school programs, wheelchair tennis, players with intellectual disability, and blind, and visually impaired tennis. My day-to-day activities revolve around reaching out to tennis facilities, cities, and school districts to help grow the sport of tennis. I also lead training sessions and collaborate with other organizations for programming. The Community Department is a big reminder that tennis can be for any and everyone.”

In his time thus far with USTA SoCal, Bryan is most proud of his work in the Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) tennis sector, helping with the launch of a BVI program in collaboration with Wayfinder Family Services. During this event, several individuals with BVI participated in on-court drills, practiced rallying, and worked on their serves, all while learning technique from some of the top coaches and teaching professionals in the area. This was the first of many events to come, and Bryan was deeply moved by the excitement and joy these players experienced that day. Looking ahead, he is eager to see how much more BVI tennis can grow in Southern California in the months and years to come. While many aspects of BVI tennis are new to Bryan, he’s never hesitated to dive in and learn, finding immense joy in seeing others experience the sport he loves. 

“I love learning new things about the sport of tennis such as wheelchair tennis and BVI tennis,” mentioned Bryan. “Even though I’ve been playing since I was seven, I had no experience with either of those two communities. I most enjoy seeing the big smiles on people’s faces as they enjoy the sport that I’ve loved my entire life. Though tennis has always been around me, USTA SoCal was my very first job in the tennis industry. I never really felt too connected to my previous roles, as they more so just felt like jobs. My role with USTA SoCal feels much more aligned with my purpose and interests.” 

BEYOND THE COURT

A bubbly and outgoing individual, Bryan’s infectious happiness shines through both at work and in social settings. He brings valuable perspective and wisdom to the Community Department and to USTA SoCal as a whole, drawing on both his tennis background and his strong ties to Los Angeles. Whether it’s offering assistance with a project, providing advice, having a friendly chat, or even stepping in as a hitting partner, Bryan is always someone people can count on.

“Bryan brings so much positivity to the team. He always has a smile on his face and treats everyone with respect and care,” added Camille. “He’s a calming presence and I know I can always go to him for good advice or help with a project. He always makes sure to include everyone and bring others in to collaborate on an event or project he’s working on. I admire his dedication to inclusive and accessible tennis. He recently expanded our reach into BVI tennis so I’m excited to see what else he does in that space to expand the communities we serve.”

Though he always seems to have a smile on his face, it’s important to not let that fool you, as once Bryan steps onto the court, he’s all business. As a member of the Northridge Quakes 4.0 team in Adult league play, he’s a fierce and highly talented competitor. With incredible pace on his forehand, Bryan’s shots often catch opponents off guard, making returns a real challenge. Additionally, he boasts solid volleys and has a knack for hitting sharp angles from the baseline, which makes him an excellent doubles player. On the court, his next major goal is to qualify for Nationals. 

When he’s not on the court or at work, Bryan enjoys spending his free time with family and close friends. Whether it’s trivia nights, movie outings, or traveling the world, he’s always seeking new experiences. He’s especially fond of combining his love for tennis with his travels, having just returned from Melbourne, where he attended the 2025 Australian Open.

“I’m an AMC A-lister, so you can probably catch me in a movie theater at least two to three times a week. Because I’ve lived in Los Angeles my entire life, I really enjoy traveling and seeing other parts of the world. I’ve been to 24 different countries and I am looking forward to exploring even more. I would love to visit 40 countries before I turn 40. I’m also a huge trivia nerd, so I love pub trivia outings with friends. Something that most people might not know about me is that in high school I performed in Carnegie Hall in a mass chorale.”

Now 34 years-old, Bryan is deeply fulfilled in his role, but he’s always looking for ways to improve both the sport and the communities he serves. Looking ahead, he remains committed to bringing tennis to underserved areas and to individuals who may have never had the opportunity to play before, with the goal of growing the game one player at a time. For those just starting out, Bryan emphasizes that while tennis can be challenging to learn, it’s important to stick with it. Progress takes time, and persistence is key to gradually seeing improvement.