Arthur Ashe, Class of 1966, remains one of UCLA’s most influential and inspiring alumni. A groundbreaking tennis champion and a pioneering force for social change, Ashe broke barriers both on and off the court. He entered UCLA in the fall of 1961 and in 1965 became the first African American to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s singles championship. He and teammates would also win the doubles championship that year, carrying UCLA to the team title. During his time at UCLA, he was a member of ROTC and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in business administration.
After college, Ashe would fulfill his 2-year military commitment at West Point, where he would reach the rank of second lieutenant. And in 1968, he became the first male singles champion of the US Open. He would also win the men’s singles titles at the Australian Open (1970) and Wimbledon (1975), where he remains the only African American man to win those Grand Slam titles. Yet his accomplishments extended far beyond athletic triumphs. Throughout his life, Ashe used his platform to confront systemic injustice and advocate for equity in areas such as civil rights, education, public health, and global human rights. He spoke out boldly against racial inequality, apartheid, and educational disparities, and was among the earliest public figures to raise awareness and support research on HIV/AIDS. His courage, intellect, and sense of responsibility helped shape conversations that still resonate today.
As the United States’ top public university, UCLA embraces its responsibility to carry Ashe’s legacy forward. Through the work of this initiative, UCLA reaffirms its commitment to equity, justice, and the transformative power of education. Ashe’s life offers not only a model of excellence but a call to action. His legacy will not simply be remembered; it will continue to illuminate the path toward a more just and equitable world.
