Serve & Return

Travail Kitchen & Amusements
4134 Hubbard Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422

More party than gala – a fun, elevated night together for 125 of InnerCity Tennis’ most committed supporters. Cocktail / festive-formal attire.

The event will look different than the gala that has born the Serve & Return name in recent years. Do not anticipate assigned seats or a lengthy seated program – in fact, the room will be arranged such that not all guests can even sit at a given time. Expect to mingle, to meet friends new and old, and to enjoy the incredible experience that is Travail. While we will still express appreciation and ask guests to consider giving to ICT, the live auction and fund-a-need will look a little different than in previous years.

If you have not been: Travail Kitchen & Amusements is a celebrated, James Beard-recognized restaurant in Robbinsdale where a team of chef-owners blur the line between fine dining and theater, guiding guests through a tasting menu of inventive, seasonally inspired dishes — many prepared in front of you. Expect an evening of surprise, delight, and just a dash of chaos.

At Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
4005 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Five fun, community-building mixers on one day.

• Step Up; for new and novice players.
• Adults NTRP 3.0+; for intermediate-level adults of all ages.
• Adults NTRP 4.0+; for higher-level adults of all ages.
• Adults Age 50+; for all-level adults over age 50.
• Big & Little; for a little, age 8-12, with their big, an adult in their life. Both participants register.

MLK Park / Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
4005 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Both within our facility and in the park beyond, a birthday party for the incredible organization that brings us together. The party will feature special games, partner booths, food and fun!

At Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center
4005 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Free multi-sport and youth tennis sessions for ages 3–18, featuring the high-energy sports stations our Super Saturdays program is known for. Spots are limited.

A core Serve & Return 2026 fundraising driver will be a silent auction and fund-the-need, both of which will have an online community portion and an in-person-only element at the Trustee Dinner. In the weeks leading up to Serve & Return, the tennis center lobby will feature some of the items available to bid on and interactive displays to celebrate ICT’s 75th year.

If you have an item or experience that you would be willing to donate to the auction, please reach out to Associate Director John Bussey at john.bussey@innercitytennis.org.

InnerCity Tennis Annual Awards

Each year, we are proud to present the following awards to deserving players, coaches, and ICT community members. These awards are recognized at Serve & Return.

• The Skip Gage Memorial Award is given to an ICT youth participant who, like Skip, embodies InnerCity Tennis’s core values.
• The Nick Bollettieri Memorial Award is given to an ICT coach who, like Nick, has exceptional passion and talent for their craft.
• The Rick Evans Memorial Award is given to an ICT community member who, like Rick, exemplifies the value of service.

The Serve & Return Honorary Host Committee is made up of our Hosts and one individual representative of each Sponsor. They are vital to the event’s success – both as the initiative’s first financial backers and secondly as, ahem, informal hosts to their guests at the event itself. They have no functional responsibilities. The committee is in formation – see below for the current roster.