2017 Hall of fame and
Section Awards Celebration
Thank ou... Y
Today we celebrate the passionate individuals who work tirelessly to grow the game of tennis all across the USTA Missouri Valley. As we welcome three new inductees into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame and honor our 2017 section award winners, please share your gratitude for their service to our communities and the game of tennis.
2017 Hall of Fame and Section Awards Celebration ORDER OF CEREMONY Welcome National Anthem Necrology 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees Buff Farrow Francis P. Lemery Richard M. Perry
Lunch 2017 Year in Review Video 2017 USTA Missouri Valley Section Awards 2017 Junior Sportsmanship Awards 2017 President’s Award
1986
Hall of Fame
2017 Buff Farrow......................Wichita, Kan. Francis P. Lemery........Overland Park, Kan. Richard M. Perry..................Enid, Okla. 2016 Bob Bates................ Prairie Village, Kan. Mark Johnson................ Henryetta, Okla. Wilbur Jones...................Shawnee, Kan. 2015 Richard Hudlin................ St. Louis, Mo. Cornelia Salmon-Robertson..LeCompton, Kan. Mark Rosewell.................Maryville, Mo. Verne Weber....................Bellevue, Neb. 2014 Stephen L. Gerdes.............. Omaha, Neb. Jim Klouisa...................Springfield, Mo. Ken Veney.................... Sydney, Australia 2013 Ron Cobb....................... St. Louis, Mo. Kevin Hedberg...................Topeka, Kan. Joe McGuire................. Kansas City, Mo. Doug Smith..................... St. Louis, Mo. Bruce Vosburg................... Omaha, Neb.
2017
2012 Judy Dippold................... St. Louis, Mo. Micki Schillig Feldmann.. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Edmund Serrano............... St. Louis, Mo. Meredith Geiger Walton..... Kingwood, Texas 2011 Rex Coad........................Wichita, Kan. James “Buddy” Fields...........Wichita, Kan. Janet Thomas Griffith............ Tulsa, Okla. Jane Pratt....................... St. Louis, Mo. Kim Steinmetz................. St. Louis, Mo. 2010 Charles Doughty .............. Wichita, Kan. Tommy English ........ Oklahoma City, Okla. Paul Lockwood .............. Norman, Okla. James Wadley ............... Stillwater, Okla. 2009 Nick Taylor ......................Wichita, Kan. Skip Walther ................. Columbia, Mo. Sheldon Weiner ............. Rock Island, Ill.
2008 Gayle David Bradshaw .. PonteVedra Beach, Fla. Patricia Graham ........... Kansas City, Mo. Steve Prosser .................. DeSoto, Kan. Leigh Strassner ................ St. Louis, Mo. 2007 Barbara Fackel ............... Rock Island, Ill. Ken Flach ...................... St. Louis, Mo. Bob McKinley ....... College Station, Texas 2006 Dave Freeborn ................... Tulsa, Okla. Jay Louderback ............ South Bend, Ind. Terry Miller ............ Overland Park, Kan. Dave Riley ........................ Tulsa, Okla. Russell Warner.................... Tulsa, Okla. 2005 John Allen Been.............. Houston, Texas Dr. Harry Clifton Burrus ........Winter Haven, Fla. Jacque Croft............ Overland Park, Kan. Richard Mechem .......... Fredericksburg,Texas Frank A. Thompson Jr. ....... St. Louis, Mo. 2004 John Bregin ................... Merriam, Kan. Don Dippold .................. St. Louis, Mo. Don Gardner .................. Wichita, Kan. Ken Lidie ...................... Bellevue, Neb. Su Oertel ................... Mason City, Iowa 2003 Bill Brown.............Arroyo Grande, Calif. Cliff Buchholz.............Fort Collins, Colo. Bob Green................Atlantic Beach, Fla. Nancy Pearce-Jeffett............ Dallas, Texas Phil Landauer................... Hillard, Ohio
2002 Patsy Rippy-Bond................. Sandy, Utah William Davis................Seminole, Okla. Ralph Hart...................... St. Louis, Mo. Bill Rompf...................... Newport, R.I. Mary Norwood-Rompf....... Newport, R.I. 2001 Junior Coen................. Kansas City, Mo. Dick Gilkey....................Edmond, Okla. Gene Land.............Oklahoma City, Okla. Gerry Perry..................Springfield, Mo. Don McNeil.................Chickasha, Okla. 2000 Marilyn Mueller............... St. Louis, Mo. Louis Gerdes.................... Omaha, Neb. Ollie Gresham.................... Tulsa, Okla. Homer Robinson................. Tulsa, Okla. Dr. Bryce Young............Hilton Head, S.C. Judy Levering....................... Stowe, Vt. 1999 David Bryant..........Oklahoma City, Okla. Dr. George Milton............Emporia, Kan. Cliff Price.......................... Tulsa, Okla. J. Hal Surface Jr............. Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Steve Wilkinson......... St. Peter, Minn. 1998 W.E. Steve Broadie.............Wichita, Kan. Dr. Donald Klotz.............Iowa City, Iowa J.C. Louderback.........Arkansas City, Kan. Jim Reed....................... Winfield, Kan. S.L. Shofner.................... Prescott, Ariz.
1997 Lucien Barbour............... Winfield, Kan. Frank Ward........................Jenks, Okla. Anna Guerrant...............Scottsdale, Ariz. Dick Johnson..................... Ballwin, Mo. Nora Prosser.................. Merriam, Kan. 1996 Harold “Buck” Balzer............ Buhler, Kan. Justina Bricka.................. St. Louis, Mo. Kate Cushing...................... Tulsa, Okla. Ted Drewes..................... St. Louis, Mo. Phillip L. Edwards............. St. Louis, Mo. 1995 Jodie H. Adams..............Springfield, Mo. Carol Hanks Aucamp.......... St. Louis, Mo. Mary Ann Eisel Beattie....... St. Louis, Mo. 1994 Wray Brown.................... St. Louis, Mo. Earl “Butch” Buchholz Jr. ...... St. Louis, Mo. Beverly K. Buckley........Des Moines, Iowa Joy Rodenberg.................. Lincoln, Neb. Mervyn Webster................Wichita, Kan. 1993 C.J. Hixon......................... Tulsa, Okla. Wally Smith................ Ponca City, Okla. Dave Snyder......................Austin, Texas
1992 Jack Buss....................Des Moines, Iowa Lucile Davidson.......... Independence, Mo. Ed Doane.........................Tustin, Calif. 1991 Clarence Dyer.................. Durant, Okla. The Ward Parker Family...... St. Louis, Mo. Tom McSpadden............Muskogee, Okla. 1990 Francis Baxter.................Edmond, Okla. Earl H. Buchholz Sr...............Sedalia, Mo. Charles D. Cunningham......... Tulsa, Okla. Bill Price........................ St. Louis, Mo. Len Prosser.................... Merriam, Kan. 1989 Gerald Perry.................Springfield, Mo. 1988 D. Keedy Campbell........ Kansas City, Mo. Harris M. Coggeshall......... Des Moines, Iowa Marvin P. Richmond......... Leawood, Kan. T.H. “Curly” Vaughan......... Winfield, Kan. 1986 Dwight F. Davis................ St. Louis, Mo. Charles McKinley ............. St. Louis, Mo
Nominations are accepted annually by July 31. Nominations remain on file for five years. Visit usta.com/ustamissourivalley for more information.
Buff Farrow Wichita, Kansas
Buff Farrow’s parents had him on the tennis court as a young child, largely because it was easier to keep him nearby than to hire a babysitter. Luckily, a young member of the Wichita State tennis team named Mervyn Webster, noticed Farrow hanging out at the courts and took him under his wing. That move in part would lead Farrow, a Wichita native, to an accomplished career, which included success in high school, college and at the professional level. “Tennis gave me an avenue where I thought I could be successful,” Farrow said. “There was a sense I could shine a bit more.” At Wichita Southeast High School, Farrow finished his two-year high school career with an undefeated 48-0 record and two 6A state singles championships in 1983 and 1984. His senior year, he decided to continue to capitalize on an already successful junior career and played in several national and international events. He became the no. 2 ranked singles junior player in the U.S., and no. 11 junior in the world in singles in 1985. That same year he won junior national hard court and clay court titles and was named the USTA Missouri Valley Player of the Year. Understandably, Farrow was a highly touted recruit with offers from all over the country, but ultimately chose to play at UCLA where he was a four-time letter winner, and named to the All Pac-10 Conference team in 1988 and 1989, as well as an All-American both years. Farrow reached the NCAA singles semifinals in 1988 as well as the NCAA doubles finals and reached the no. 1 ranking in singles nationally in 1989. “When it came down to it, I had schools written down on a chalkboard that I was considering,” he said. “Sheldon Coleman and I sat down and made a list of things and it turned out UCLA was the right fit. It felt like a second home.” Following his career at UCLA, Farrow turned professional at perhaps one of the peak times for American tennis. The likes of John McEnroe and Jim Courier were at the back end of their career, however, new stars such as Andre Agassi were emerging. Immediately out of college, Farrow joined the United States Davis Cup team as a practice partner from 1988 to 1991. He won his first pro tournament, the Canadian Satellite Event, in 1989, and would go on to win a total of 12 professional titles during his career. Battling injuries at times, Farrow would reach a career high professional ranking of 224 in the world in 1994 and would have some of his most memorable wins in the years leading up to his career-best.
He returned home to Wichita and from 1991-94 was a member of World TeamTennis’ Wichita Advantage. As a member of the team, Farrow would defeat Jimmy Connors, Mats Wilander and Bjorn Borg. The team also won the league championship in 1993. Farrow continued to serve the USTA after playing by volunteering on national committees for over 16 years. He served as a council chair of Professional Tennis, chair and vice chair of the Pro Circuits, and was a member of the Community Tennis Association, Public Parks and Special Populations committees. On being inducted into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, Farrow said: “It’s very humbling. I just remember being in the station wagon with my mom and if anything should be in the hall of fame it should be my mom’s lawn chair… I just remember when I got this call, I remember thinking back to the station wagon and all those hours. I was just hoping to get into a tournament and do okay.”
Francis P. Lemery Overland Park, Kansas
All Francis P. Lemery needed to do to know he was interested in tennis was to look out the windows of his childhood home and see tennis being played at Wyandotte High School across the street. Lemery could have been attracted to the baseball field or soccer field, but it was the tennis courts across the street from his home that lured him. He would spend hours on those courts as a junior player, paving the way for success throughout his career. “I’m really the one who got started in tennis and convinced my parents to get me a racquet,” Lemery said. “I really started on my own.” Lemery frequently played in junior tournaments at Kansas City, Kansas’ Klamm Park, as well as the Plaza Tennis Center. He won the Greater Kansas City Junior Boys 18 & Under Singles Championship. He also lettered four years on the Wyandotte High School tennis team, qualifying for the Kansas State Championships in his senior year. Following high school, Lemery attended the University of Michigan where he studied actuarial mathematics and lettered on the Michigan freshman tennis team. Lemery returned home to the Kansas City area and immediately began playing as an adult. He regularly competed in USTA Heart of America and USTA Missouri Valley tournaments, winning in singles, doubles and mixed doubles divisions. Lemery frequently played mixed doubles with his wife, Charlene. He was ranked no. 1 several times in USTA Heart of America and USTA Missouri Valley senior adult age divisions in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. “I was a serve and volleyer,” Lemery said. “That was my favorite game. I always loved to volley. I had a very, very good backhand that was consistent and reliable.” He’s also been a longtime participant in the USTA League program, competing at 5.0 and 4.5 levels. In 1993, Lemery was part of the National Champion 4.5 senior team from USTA Heart of America. He won two other national championships with 4.5 senior teams, and was chosen to represent the USTA Missouri Valley several times as a member of teams in intersectional events. He received the USTA Heart of America Adult Player of the Year Award and USTA Heart of America Adult Sportsmanship Award.
Lemery’s business background got him in the administrative side of tennis as well. Through his decade of service to the game, he served as a board member from 2004 to 2008, Treasurer from 2001 to 2002, Secretary in 1994 and Vice President of Adults for USTA Heart of America from 1995 to 1997. He was also chairperson of the USTA Heart of America’s Adult Tennis Council. He also served as chairperson of the USTA Missouri Valley Adult Tennis Council from 1996 to 1996 and served as Heart of America’s representative on the USTA Missouri Valley Nominating Committee from 1998 to 2000. Away from tennis, Lemery is the Honorary Consul-General of Japan Emeritus in Kansas City. In 2015, he received the Order of the Rising Sun Gold Rays with Rosette from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, in recognition of his significant contributions to promoting exchanges and friendship between Japan and the United States. In addition, the Japanese Foreign Ministry awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Fran in 2009. He and his wife Charlene installed a traditional Japanese garden in their home in 1995, leading to further interest in Japanese culture. On being inducted into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, Lemery said: “It is extremely special. I feel so honored to be chosen to be a member of the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. I didn’t have expectations that I would get in the Hall of Fame. I’m so honored and pleased and appreciate everyone who has been a part of it.”
Richard M. Perry Enid, Oklahoma
Richard M. Perry was 16 years-old when he first picked up a tennis racquet. However, his later arrival into tennis didn’t prevent him from having a successful high school career and winning championships into his 70s. A native of Oklahoma City, Perry was a sophomore at Northwest Classen High School and found that basketball wasn’t for him anymore. “A lot of my friends were on the tennis team in high school so that got me out there,” Perry said. Once he got his start as a sophomore in high school, Perry became a two-time Oklahoma high school state champion in doubles in 1963-1964, earning him Honorable Mention on the Oklahoma 1960s All-Decade Tennis Team. Following his high school career, Perry attended Oklahoma City University on a tennis scholarship and graduated with a degree in mathematics. Off the tennis court, Perry became a District Court Judge in 1990, retiring in 2006. He was named Oklahoma Judge of the Year in 2001. Perry also served as an officer in the Air Force and was a T-38 instructor pilot for five years. He spent 20 years in the Air Force Reserves, retiring in 1997 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Perry, as an adult, continued to find success on the tennis court. He won numerous titles in both singles and doubles, and has been ranked no. 1 in USTA Oklahoma rankings several times, winning eleven USTA Missouri Valley section-level championships. He was named the Oklahoma Adult Player of the Year in 1993 and was awarded the inaugural Oklahoma Jim Thorpe Tennis Award in 2004. Perry represented the USTA Missouri Valley in intersectional play in the Men’s 45s in 1996, and won USTA Silver Ball at the USTA National 70s Indoors Championship in 2016. In 2017, he won the National Senior Olympics 70s division and was chosen to represent the U.S. in the Gordon Trophy Cup, an annual competition between Canada and the U.S.
“It’s such a fun sport you can play for a lifetime,” he said. “That’s a common phrase but you can do it and I’ve made friends all over the country.” Perry has been dedicated off the court as well. He served as treasurer of USTA Oklahoma for 12 years, and president of USTA Oklahoma from 1997-2000. He was secretary of the USTA Missouri Valley from 2001 to 2002 before becoming treasurer from 2003 to 2004. He then served as first vice-president from 2005-2006 before serving one term as president from 2007-2008. At the national level, Perry served eight years on the USTA National Adult and Senior Competition Committee and was its vice-chair for two years. He also served as the USTA Missouri Valley delegate to the USTA Board of Directors. Perry remains the chair of the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame Committee and created and maintains its website. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007. On being inducted into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, Perry said: “It’s very humbling. I’ve been at the meetings to see the great players who have been honored and so it’s a great honor.”
2017 Award Recipients Junior Player of the Year (Female) - Gracie Epps (Norman, Oklahoma) Junior Player of the Year (Male) - Carson Haskins (Ballwin, Missouri) Junior Recreational Player of the Year (Female) - Emma Pawlitz (Des Peres, Missouri) Junior Recreational Player of the Year (Male) - Jordan Patterson (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Outstanding Junior Tournament - STL5 St. Louis Jr. Summer Open (St. Louis, Missouri) USTA Junior Team Tennis Organizer - Max Shapiro (St. Louis, Missouri) Outstanding Contributor Youth High Performance Program - Matias Marin (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Outstanding Contributor Youth Tennis - Larry Newton (Omaha, Nebraska) High School Coach of the Year - Matt Wiemers (McCook, Nebraska) Adult Player of the Year - Chris Haworth (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Adult Recreational Player of the Year - Aimee Claassen (Parkville, Missouri) Outstanding Contributor USTA League Tennis Program - Linda Woodard (Ballwin, Missouri) Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament US Open USTA Wheelchair Championship (St. Louis, Missouri) Tennis Family of the Year - The Lance Lysaught Family (Topeka, Kansas) Facility of the Year - Jayhawk Tennis Center (Lawrence, Kansas) Outstanding Community Tennis Association McPherson Advantage Junior Tennis Club (McPherson, Kansas) Member Organization of the Year - The Greens Country Club (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Outstanding Official - Laura Norman (Wichita, Kansas) Media Excellence - Ron Powell, Lincoln Journal-Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) Outstanding Diversity Achievement - Special Olympics of Iowa (Grimes, Iowa) Distinguished Service - Dee Wharton (St. Louis, Missouri) President’s Award - Surprise Announcement
Female Junior Player of the Year
Gracie Epps - Norman, Oklahoma • Won Gold Ball in Girls 12s Doubles at Easter Bowl at Indian Wells • Won Bronze Ball in 12s singles at Clay Court Championship • Finished top 16 in 14s Hard Court Championship • Attended the USTA National Training Camp in Orlando, Florida • Finished 2nd in 14s at the USTA Missouri Valley Summer Sweet 16 • Achieved No. 1 ranking in USTA Missouri Valley in Girls 12s and 14s • Achieved No. 6 in the nation in Girls 12s • Received the sportsmanship award at the Clay Court National Championship and the Winter National Tournament
Male Junior Player of the Year
Carson Haskins - Ballwin, Missouri Currently ranked No. 7 nationally in the Boys 18s • Maintained No. 1 section ranking in Boys 18s • Won the USTA Missouri Valley Super #1, the Dominant Duo, the Super #2 (only losing 11 games in 5 matches) and finished second at the Summer Sweet 16 • Won his third consecutive Missouri high school state championship singles title • Has not given up a single set in three state championships
Female Junior Recreational Player of the Year
Emma Pawlitz - Des Peres, Missouri • Participated in Junior Team Tennis for five consecutive years • Played in both the summer co-ed league and the spring girls’ single gender league • Consistently posted winning records each season, some undefeated • No. 1 player on the Lutheran South girls tennis team • Competes regularly in USTA tournaments
Male Junior Recreational Player of the Year
Jordan Patterson - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • Started playing tennis three years ago through a partnership between First Serve OKC and the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic • Placed in every tournament he has entered in 2017 • Won eight tournaments, placed second in two, and third in one • Received the sportsmanship award at one summer tournament • A positive role model for other players in the First Serve OKC program
Outstanding Junior Tournament
STL5 St. Louis Jr. Summer Open - St. Louis, Missouri • Fifth year for the August event • Three roving officials throughout the tournament • Trainer on duty at all times • Singles and doubles play for all divisions • Open to players from across the country • T-shirts for players • Set of strings and a dampener for each player • Awards for 1st-6th places • Sportsmanship award given (Tennis Warehouse gift card) • Part of the tennisrecruiting.net National Showcase Series
USTA Junior Team Tennis Organizer
Max Shapiro - St. Louis, Missouri • Started his program with six teams and about 48 kids • Has grown the club’s program each year • Now offers four seasons of Junior Team Tennis with teams ranging from 10 and Under Orange through 18 and Under Advanced • Understands the importance of building strong and positive relationships with players’ parents and the power of good communication • Has been instrumental in implementing other programs, including a full slate of 10 and Under Tennis clinics from Tots (red ball), to Future Stars (orange ball) and on to Tournament Green (green ball)
Outstanding Contributor Youth High Performance Program
Matias Marin - Tulsa, Oklahoma • Director of Programs & High Performance at Tucker Tennis Academy • Attended numerous clinics for high performance players • Received awards for his successful track record in producing many high level players at the national and international level • USPTA Certified, USTA High Performance Coach, USTA Level 1 Sports Science Certified, Mental Training Coach Certified, Argentine Tennis Association (AAT) Professional Coach
Outstanding Contributor Youth Tennis
Larry Newton - Omaha, Nebraska • Worked single-handedly to resurrect and maintain play opportunities for entry-level players from 10 and Under kids to 18 and under high schoolers learning the game • Ran five 10-and-Under Smashers tournaments with 84 total players in 2017 • Ran four NET tournaments for 164 entry-level players from 12 years old to 18 years old • Ran a fall junior competition that has attracted over 80 kids aged 9 to 18 and provided them with the opportunity to play matches and improve their game • Led the search for a coach to run the City of Omaha’s Learn-to-Play program in order to help introduce even more kids to the game of tennis
High School Coach of the Year
Matt Wiemers - McCook, Nebraska • Head coach for the McCook High School tennis teams for the past 19 years • Won his first tennis team state championship in school history in 2017 • Has amassed a 146-58 record in girls’ tennis and a 131-67 record on the boys’ side • His teams have won two conference championships and been runners-up seven times during his career • Coached numerous athletes to individual state finals and state championships • Started a summer tennis program for all ages to learn the fundamentals of tennis and compete in leagues • Played an integral part in securing funding to build a $250,000 tennis complex in 2007
Adult Player of the Year
Chris Haworth - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • A 5.0 player who consistently represents Oklahoma tennis at the highest level throughout his tennis career • Plays on the Greens/Shanahan 5.0 USTA League team and remains undefeated without dropping a set in singles • Recently obtained his first ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) points • Made it into the main draw of four USTA Pro Circuit level tournaments in 2017 • Has defeated six top 1000 ATP players and currently has a 32-7 professional record • As a junior, he was ranked No. 1 in Oklahoma and USTA Missouri Valley in every age group • Ranked in the top 50 in every age group nationally with a career-high of No. 7 in Boys 18s with three national titles
Adult Recreational Player of the Year
Aimee Claassen - Parkville, Missouri • Played in nine USTA Leagues in 2017 • Plays in World TeamTennis and her team placed 3rd nationally in 2016 • Participated in USTA Nationals in 2017 for both 40 & Over 4.0 and 18 & Over 8.0 Mixed • Willing to sub in to help her team and ensure people are out on court enjoying the sport
Outstanding Contributor USTA League Tennis Program
Linda Woodard - Ballwin, Missouri • Joined a USTA League team in 2009 and has been a captain since 2012 • Captained a total of 12 teams, including a 55 & Over team that has won four-straight district championships • In 2017, twice stepped in and captained teams that would have otherwise folded • Her 55 & Over 9.0 women’s team advanced to USTA Nationals • Recently became a member of the Captain’s Advisory Committee
Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament
US Open USTA Wheelchair Championship - St. Louis, Missouri • One of six wheelchair ITF Super Series tournaments in the world, and the only one played in the United States • Takes weeks of prep work to schedule 150-200 volunteers and days to set up all of the tents, tables, chairs, refrigerated coolers, banners and ramps built for wheelchair access to all courts • Features a hospitality area for players that includes snacks, massage and wheelchair repair stations • Tournament provides transportation to and from the airport, round trips between the hotel and Dwight Davis Tennis Center and lunch every day for players and coaches • All Open division matches have chair umpires calling all lines, while semifinal and final rounds have additional lines people • To help players and keep matches moving, there are two volunteer ball runners on almost every court
Tennis Family of the Year
The Lance and Alisa Lysaught Family - Topeka, Kansas • Lance is in his third season leading the Washburn University tennis program and was named MIAA Coach of the year at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season • Alisa is volunteer assistant to the Washburn team and helps order replacement equipment and organizes shipments • Oldest daughter Madison plays No. 4 Singles for Washburn University as a sophomore and volunteers for multiple tennis events • Madeline plays the USTA Missouri Valley junior circuit and volunteers at Topeka Country Club • Mallory plays tennis recreationally • Miriam is playing her first year of high school tennis • John plays NET tournaments and helps with Smashers tournaments • Youngest child Melanie has just started playing Green Ball tournaments
Facility of the Year
Jayhawk Tennis Center - Lawrence, Kansas • Home of the University of Kansas Women’s Tennis Team and a full-time racquet club • Houses six indoor and six outdoor courts, with another eight outdoor courts across the parking lot • Manages the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation tennis program, runs its own events for the University of Kansas, and acts as the home facility for the Lawrence Tennis Association • The 12 courts at JTC have indoor viewing that allows spectators to simultaneously see the indoor and outdoor courts • Facility amenities include: multiple televisions, two lounges, a kitchenette and indoor seating for over 500 spectators • There is also a full-service pro shop, conference rooms, offices, multiple restrooms, two sets of locker rooms with showers and an indoor hitting wall for year-round usage
Outstanding Community Tennis Association
McPherson Advantage Junior Tennis Club - McPherson, Kansas • Began in 1995 with 60 members and grew to 100 members by 1999 • Expanded its offerings every year since its inception and offers both group and private instruction for ages 4-18 • High school players volunteer their time to help instruct the younger players at the Mac Advantage Tennis Camp • Scholarships are available for youth who receive free or reduced lunches through the local refinery as well as an additional scholarship for any tennis related needs
Member Organization of the Year
The Greens Country Club - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • Membership is full with an all-time high in club event participation • Junior Team Tennis and USTA League participation increases every year • All tennis professionals are USPTA certified and USTA members • Entire staff is in the process of joining the Net Generation • Staff and facility maintain updated compliance to all USTA/USPTA regulations and industry requirements • Every staff member is CPR/AED certified • Recently installed state of the art security cameras throughout the indoor and outdoor facility, courts, parking lots and surrounding facility area to insure a safe environment
Outstanding Official
Laura Norman - Wichita, Kansas • Has been officiating tournaments around the USTA Missouri Valley since 2014 • Officiates junior events, adult tournaments, USTA Leagues, World TeamTennis, USTA Pro Circuit as well as college and ITA matches • Helps with a no-cut tennis program because she has a passion for using her tennis knowledge to help kids enjoy their time at school • Works with a number of foreign exchange students using tennis to give them a place to belong and grow
Media Excellence
Ron Powell, Lincoln Journal-Star - Lincoln, Nebraska • Reported on the campaign to build a permanent indoor facility at Woods Tennis Center • Wrote a feature about Kevin Heim assisting the US Wheelchair Tennis Team and fellow USTA Missouri Valley player Nick Taylor during a trip to Italy • Kept tabs on juniors throughout the summer at local, national and ITA tournaments • Covered in detail the grand opening of Woods’ new indoor facility • Frequently reports on Lincoln-native Jack Sock’s tour results
Outstanding Diversity Achievement
Special Olympics of Iowa - Grimes, Iowa • Became a USTA organizational member in 2003 • Close to 100 athletes competed in their singles and doubles tournaments during the Summer Games • Projects include: taped video trainings for SOI coaches, coaching clinics, conversion to the youth pathway and joint equipment distribution throughout Iowa • SOI has also helped with district grants to get athletes to several USA Games, collaborated to bring the first Special Olympics national games to Ames in 2006, and helped organize the Iowa All Star district events
Distinguished Service
Dee Wharton - St. Louis, Missouri • Active in USTA in the St. Louis area since 1999 • Plays on teams in USTA Leagues as well as the Gateway Tennis Women’s Interclub and World TeamTennis • Served on USTA Missouri Valley committees for 10 and Under Tennis and Youth Progression as well as chaired the Junior Team Tennis committee • Since 2009, Dee has been the USTA St. Louis coordinator for Junior Team Tennis, where she has rapidly grown participation • Roved, refereed, and chaired at junior, adult and ITA matches and tournaments from local to national levels as an active member of the St. Louis Area Tennis Officials (SLATO) from 2006 to 2015 • Line judge for three years at pro tournaments throughout the Midwest • Served as the St. Louis district chair and was a member of the USTA Missouri Valley Officiating Committee for three years • Coached girls’ prep and JV “no-cut” teams at Villa Duschesne High School from 2008 to 2016 and was boys’ JV coach for St. Louis University High School in 2009 and 2010 • As a breast cancer survivor, she co-chaired the creation of an annual “Celebrate Tennis” fundraiser that has raised over $145,000 for the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Program at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University
President’s Award
Surprise Announcement
2017 Junior Sportsmanship Award Recipients Girls 10s Girls 12s Girls 14s Girls 16s Girls 18s Boys 10s Boys 12s Boys 14s Boys 16s Boys 18s
Caroline Daugherty Gracie Epps Dani Rosenberger Rachel McCorkle Natalie Malone TJ Griese Langdon Tingleaf Mason Thieu Andrew Bower Clayton Maack
Tulsa, Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma St. Louis, Missouri Tulsa, Oklahoma St. Louis, Missouri Dardenne Prairie, Missouri Owasso, Oklahoma Topeka, Kansas Alton, Illinois Chesterfield, Missouri
History Highlights 2017: • The Heart of America 18 & Over 4.0 team captained by Romy Carlson wins the USTA League National Championship. The St. Louis 18 & Over 2.5 team captained by Britney Coffey was also named National Co-Champions. • Jack Sock wins the Paris Masters 1000, earning a spot in the ATP World Finals in London. • Rock Island, Ill. native Madison Keys finishes as runner-up at the US Open to Sloane Stephens. 2016: • Jack Sock of Lincoln, Neb., earns a gold medal in mixed doubles and bronze medal in doubles at the 2016 Olympic Games. Wichita, Kan.native Nick Taylor earns a silver medal in the quad doubles division at the Paralympics in Rio. • Barbara Fackel of Rock Island, Ill., receives the Barbara Williams Service Award. • Carson Haskins of Ballwin, Mo. won the Boys 16s singles division at the Asics Easter Bowl. Haskins finished as the top-ranked player in the Boys 16s national rankings.
2015: • Nathan Han of Tulsa, Okla., won the USTA Boys 14s National Championships in August, earning a coveted USTA Gold Ball. • The 18 & Over, 4.5 women’s team from Edmond, Okla., captured the USTA League National Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif. This year was also the 35th anniversary of USTA Leagues. 2014: • Lincoln, Neb. native Jack Sock wins the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s doubles title with partner Vasek Pospisil over Mike and Bob Bryan. It’s Sock’s second grand slam title. • Fed Cup held in St. Louis at Chaifetz Arena: France 3, USA 2 2013: • Nick Taylor and his long-time doubles partner, David Wagner, notch their fourth Australian Open Grand Slam doubles title, January 25, in Melbourne. 2002: • Fed Cup held in Springfield, Missouri at Cooper Tennis Complex: USA 5, Israel 0 1997: • D. A. Abrams becomes the first African American to serve as the executive director of a USTA section office by becoming the USTA Missouri Valley executive director. 1985/1986 • Section office moves from Des Moines, Iowa to Kansas City, Missouri. 1968: • World Championship Tennis, Inc. brings professional tournament to Des Moines, Iowa; includes international players such as John Newcombe and Tony Roche of Australia, and Cliff Drysdale of South Africa. 1959: • Total number of MVTA (Missouri Valley Tennis Association) Registrations: 1,191 1928: • Davis Cup held in Kansas City, Missouri - Rockhill Tennis Club: USA 5, China 0 1920: • MVTA founded and admitted as part of the USLTA 1881: • A small group of tennis club members form the world’s first national governing body for tennis: the United States National Lawn Tennis Association (later to be known as the USTA).
This is just a small portion of the important moments in USTA MissouriValley history. To view the full historical timeline, please visit the History tab at USTA.com/ustamissourivalley.
2016-17 USTA Missouri Valley Executive Committee Larry Haugness - President Lisa Minihan - First Vice President Gary Trost - Vice President Chris Carey - Vice President Steve Henry - Secretary Alex Lee - Treasurer Stuart Dusenberry - Immediate Past President & Delegate
2017 USTA Missouri Valley District Presidents Richard Kohn - Heart of America Kathy Anderl - Iowa Ron Wherritt - Kansas Paul Nahon - Missouri Justin Bigsby - Nebraska Bill Towler - Oklahoma Beth Causey - St. Louis