Military Tennis Award
* NOVA Family Enrichment Program on Fort Belvoir base
Gloria Dean (Alexandria, VA)
Gloria Dean has served as the program director for the Northern Virginia Family Enrichment Program (NOVA FEP) since its inception. Because of her leadership, passion for community service and desire to provide opportunities to the community around her, NOVA has been able to affect positive change in the families that have participated.
As a former Government employee who served as a registered nurse and most recently, the director of the Dewitt ARMY Community Hospital Wellness Center, she has a heart and dedication to her country and those who sacrifice to serve it. This gives her a special focus on the children and families of America’s military. She has translated that passion first in working with the youth in military community schools and now with the base community as a whole where she can reach and support the success of soldiers and families alike.
Gloria has used the vehicle of the NOVA FEP to open doors, hearts, and minds of America’s Military families by providing them opportunities to participate in Toastmasters, to learn to play chess as a family, to attend professional sporting events together, to take in cultural events within the local area and most recently to participate in tennis leagues by creating the first adult Military Tennis League in Virginia.
In June of this year her work with the families of Fort Belvoir, here in Northern Virginia was noticed by the photo editor of the base paper, the Belvoir Eagle. After a visit from the editor, a series of articles were published noting the effect that the tennis program Gloria started is having on the families in our local Military community.
Gloria has provided a vehicle for Military families to come together, to grow together, to get fit together, and most importantly, to play together. She has dedicated her working life to the well being of the Military community and continues to do so through her current endeavors with the NOVA FEP. It is because of this I am nominating her for the USTA/Mid-Atlantic 2009 Military Tennis Award.
Submitted by:
Anthony T. Dean
Tennis Program Instructor
NOVA Family Enrichment Program
* Kathryn Barrett (Virginia Beach, VA)
Photojournalist of the Year
* Belvoir Eagle photo editor Marny Malin (Ft. Belvoir, VA)
Sectional Organization of the Year
* Active Aces Super Senior Tennis Club of Fredericksburg-VA
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The Active Aces Super Seniors Tennis Club of Fredericksburg won the Mid-Atlantic Sectional Organization of the Year. The club in Fredericksburg was started by Amos and Eula Best. |
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Adult/Senior Tournament of the Year
* The USTA McDonald’s Men’s and Women’s Open Clay Court $30,000 Championships (Midlothian, VA)
Tournament Director Scott Steinhour
In the ninth year of the tournament, 250 of the best players compete against each other in five divisions watched an average of 300 spectators a day. A pro am is held before the tournament and all sponsors participate with the tournament pros. A sky box area was constructed for better viewing. The tournament has donated to the Ronald McDonald House over the years.
Volunteer of the Year
* Greg Overkamp (North Bethesda, MD)
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| Greg Overcamp won the USTA/Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year and he takes a picture with the Special Olympic coaches and athletes. |
Greg Overkamp has been active with the USTA and in particular the Montgomery County Tennis Association (MCTA) since 2006.
Beginning with captaining mixed, combo and adult teams, he has also been a coordinator for adult, combo and mixed leagues and is a member of the Rules committee.
Overkamp is MCTA’s tournament director and serves on MCTA’s Board of Directors.
In 2007, he became MCTA’s Special Olympics Chair.
The Montgomery County Special Olympics tennis program was started in 2007 as a joint venture between MCTA and the Special Olympics of Montgomery County.
MCTA arranged for coaches from the local tennis community to train about 30 special-needs athletes in tennis. The majority of the athletes had never played tennis before.
Since then, Overkamp and a fantastic group of volunteers have held three local qualifier competitions, and the group has participated twice at the Special Olympics Maryland Fall Games.
Several of the athletes have also begun to play unified doubles, where an athlete partners with a volunteer to play a traditional doubles match.
As Tournament Director, Overkamp has helped coordinate MCTA’s four tournaments—the USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section Senior Hardcourt Championships, the USTA/MAS NTRP Championship, the Bruce Francis Memorial Tournament, and the Maryland State Hard Court Championships.
Overkamp also serves as the World TeamTennis Bethesda president, a local WTT league.
Overkamp graduated from Virginia Tech in 2005 with a degree in Architecture and works for Grimm and Parker Architects.
Community Pro of the Year
* Christi Fewster (Westminster, MD)
In the spring of 2008, Christi Fewster approached the Carroll County Recreation and Parks Department about offering tennis lessons to children in our area. There was absolutely no type of organized tennis of any sort in this area at that time. Hoping to get a handful of children to teach, the response was overwhelming. The first year, over 100 children came out to participate in the lessons. The program has continued to grow this year with Christi on the courts four nights of the week, May through October, and she uses the recreation and parks gym over the winter. Before starting the programs, she attended numerous training sessions to organize these programs. She worked with the USTA to obtain grant money to purchase equipment so that the children would not have to provide their own to participate.
This past summer the program was expanded to include adults as well. Also there were leagues added for junior league play and adult league play. She has also organized a tournament in Westminster for adults that each year has had 30-plus participants. She has worked with the City of Westminster to help them obtain Fix-A-Court grants to help maintain the courts in the area. This past spring all of the light bulbs on the city courts were replaced and aligned. This allowed for the tournament and leagues, not to mention community residents to have even more court time.
In September 2009, Christi organized a bus trip to the US Open so local tennis enthusiasts could affordably see a Grand Slam event first hand. The trip was a major success and will hopefully be offered in years to come.
Christi is currently working with the USTA to organize a QuickStart tournament for children in Westminster and a 14-and-under team tennis program.
In addition, to the community programs that she has started on her own, she also volunteers as a captain for two USTA adult leagues in the Baltimore area. She captains a 7.0 Mixed adult team and a 7.5 Women’s Combo team. Not to mention playing on two other USTA teams as well.
Christi has been a wonderful asset to the game of tennis in the Westminster, MD area. If anyone that I know reflects the mission statement of the USTA to “Develop and Promote the game of Tennis,” it is Christi Fewster. She promotes good sportsmanship both in her programs as well as when she herself is on the court.
Submitted by Juliana Edwards
Teaching Professional of the Year
* Cris Robinson (Powhatan, VA)
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| Cris Robinson (Powhatan, VA) works at the Willow Oaks Country Club. |
Community Program of the Year
* Junior Aces Tennis Program-DC
Rebecca Washington (Upper Marlboro, MD)
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| Rebecca Washington directed the Junior Aces Tennis Program in DC, which was named the Community Program of the Year. |
Rebecca Washington is bringing tennis to several generations.
She is the mother of three, a daughter and two sons, and has two grandchildren plus three other grandchildren from her deceased sister.
Washington has volunteered for five years as an instructor for the Active Aces Super Seniors Tennis Club’s Granny Clinic Program, which initially began with members’ grandchildren and has now expanded.
“I love it when the youth receive their trophies because they are so excited and thankful,” Washington said. “I have noticed that the participation in this program by the youth has inspired many [seniors] to continue playing tennis. I still enjoy competitive tennis, social tennis, and teaching tennis to juniors or just playing a game with them.”
The Granny Clinic Program, which was started by Hubert Robinson and is currently headed by Beulah Alexander, is the club’s summer youth tennis program.
She has also been the Awards Committee Chair for the last five years.
From 1995-1998, she was the Washington Area Tennis League treasurer.
“This was the beginning of the WATL senior competitive league under the direction of John Jackson, Senior League Coordinator,” she added. “We helped to increase the participation of the seniors in the league through our annual spring Senior League Ice Breaker. This was an open tennis party for tennis players 50-plus years of age where they could play tennis, socialize with other 50-plus tennis players and also sign up to become a member of our senior league. A large number of players joined the Senior League as a result of this annual heavily attended event. During that time, it was a successful tool in promoting and growing senior tennis.”
Washington worked as a U.S. Department of Labor Investigator for the Office of Investigations and Compliance, and at the Environmental Protection Agency as the Financial Management Branch Director.
She retired to become a full-time real estate agent after having worked part-time for many years.
*****
The Junior Aces program was organized in the summer of 2008 to provide an opportunity for youth in the surrounding areas to be introduced to the game of tennis. To develop a program to teach the basic fundamentals to play the game and form teams to compete in the Washington, DC Jr. Team Tennis (JTT) League.
The program goals are to o introduce youth to the game by providing enjoyable activities that will help them acquire a love for the game; t o support development of Washington, DC, District JTT League and tournament play; and t o develop a NJTL Chapter in the USTA/MAS Washington, DC District.
These program goals are clearly within reach as evidenced by the following achievements within a 12-month period: Development of a year-round junior tennis program for youth ages 6-18 involving 30 youths, using the QuickStart format. Sponsor QuickStart workshop for parents, coaches and volunteers. Solicited and received permission for a community court to be permanently marked for QuickStart format. Formed JTT teams to compete in 2008 winter league, (the 18-and-under team advanced to the JTT sectionals.) Instrumental in fundraising activities which help defray the cost and travel for players to participate in local and national tournaments. Also, an annual excursion to Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.
This program has recruited youth (30-40; retained 30) and formed a QuickStart component for beginners and intermediated players, formed teams for JTT league play, sponsored workshops for QuickStart, and found funding for the year-round indoor program . This was done all in the first year, and the program will continue to grow.
For all the aforementioned, I nominate the Junior Aces Program as MAS "Community Program of the Year Award."
Submitted by Patsy Fitzhugh
Family of the Year
* Waraich family – parents Anokh and Gurjit, and children Harman-12, Jasjeet-10, Dilavar-9, and Avleen-5 (Reston, VA)
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| The Waraich family poses for a picture with Kastles coach Murphy Jensen at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. |
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| The Waraich family won the Family of the Year. |
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| The Waraich family and Radek Stepanek at the Asian Festival Block Party at Lake Newport. |
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| At the Legg Mason, Harman Waraich poses with Robin Soderling, who upset Rafael Nadal at the French Open. |
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| The Waraich family wearing their USTA Jr. Team tennis uniforms. |
Leagues Coordinator of the Year
* Michele Archibald (Annapolis, MD), Anne Arundel County
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| Michele Archibald (second from right) poses with her 3.5 women's championship team. |
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| Michele Archibald |
Michele Archibald started playing USTA tennis as a 2.5 five years ago after a 25 year hiatus from the game. Her 2.5 team (which was selected out of a hat) went to Nationals that year and she was hooked.
Archibald has progressed to a 3.5 and her Adult Women’s team won the Maryland District Championship at the 3.5 level this year. She plays singles and doubles in various counties in the state.
Over the last two years, Archibald focused on re-establishing the women’s 2.5 league (all the ladies had been moved up) and starting a men’s 2.5 league in Anne Arundel County.
This year she took on the responsibilities of Local League Coordinator for Anne Arundel County.
She also serves as the President for the Anne Arundel County Tennis Association.
Tennis is her passion; she enjoys the competition and the social environment.
Michele’s husband Pete and son Jonathan, a Penn State student, both play tennis and daughter Stasia is in Washington State in culinary school.
Michele works for L-1 Identity Solutions, a biometric technology solutions company.
Junior Tournament of the Year
* Columbia Junior Open L3 that ran in July (Columbia, MD)
Tournament Director Ken Knouse (Ellicott City, MD)
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| Ken Knouse and Jack Healey |
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| Louise and Jim Lawson |
The Columbia Junior Open Tennis Tournament is a USTA-sanctioned 3-star event that attracts more than 140 participants from all over the Mid-Atlantic region. It is one of the longest running tournaments of its kind, recently completing its 29th consecutive year last summer.
The tournament is sponsored by the Howard County Tennis Association (HCTA). and is held at the Wilde Lake Tennis Club in Columbia, Maryland.
HCTA President Ken Knouse has been the Tournament Director for the past 10 years.
He has been ably assisted by tennis enthusiasts Jim Lawson, Jack Healey, and Harry Chiu, along with a host of volunteers who give their personal time to help make this tournament the annual success it has become.
HCTA appreciates the support from Stan Ber of the Columbia Flyer newspaper, who provides the local community with information and coverage of this event.
HCTA is also deeply indebted to local businesses whose generosity helps make the tournament a rousing success year after year.
Adult/Senior Sportsmanship (Female)
* Laila Cofield (Washington, DC)
Laila S. Cofield has played in the Washington Area Tennis League (WATL) of the USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section for more than 10 years.
Cofield, who participates in many local tournaments, uses her abilities to be a positive role model for younger players and new players to the area. She encourages those players who lack confidence to play to the best of their abilities.
She is a talented tennis player. Her knowledge and skills of the game were essential in assisting the 4.0 senior women’s team to win Districts this year and reach the Sectional Championships in Newport News, VA. She motivated and engaged her team players to raise their games, have fun, and play outside of the box.
Cofield is an exemplary player and person. She invites her friends of all skill levels to practice and play on specific days of the week. As their skills improve, she makes plans with them to play in tournaments and together as a team.
Through it all, they celebrate their successes and failures and support each other.
She also does community outreach by informing other of the latest tennis developments and social events, and building consensus with the leagues in Maryland and Virginia.
Adult/Senior Sportsmanship (Male)
* Tut Bartzen (Richmond, VA)
Tut Bartzen Jr. said, “Thank you for my recent USTA/Mid-Atlantic sportsmanship award. I am honored.”
Tut Bartzen Jr.
Tut Bartzen Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps.
Tut’s father Bernard Bartzen was undefeated in Davis Cup (15-0, 1959-1962), and was a NCAA Tennis Champion (William & Mary, 1947-49).
Tut said, “I grew up in a strong tennis program at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, TX. My father was the pro there, starting after his Davis Cup career. Soon after he got there, he was able to organize a pro tournament at the club. Participants in the tournament included Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Roy Emerson, Arthur Ashe, Fred Stolle, Ilie Nastase, Stan Smith, and Cliff Richey, among others. I was part of the aspiring junior tennis program, and all of us were ball boys for the event. At a small tournament like this, we all got to spend quite a bit of time with our tennis idols, at a time when we were all very impressionable. They were all great role models. We even got to hit balls with a lot of these tennis greats.”
Tut added, “Since my dad was a tennis pro, I can’t remember back far enough to remember a time when I didn’t play tennis, but I’m sure I was hitting balls on a daily basis by the time I was five. I was playing tournaments by the age of ten, and won the Texas Sectionals Boys’ 12 and under in 1967.”
Tut was ranked No. 1 in Texas in the Boys’ 12-and-under and 14s. He was ranked No. 15 Nationally in the Boys’ 18s.
While playing college tennis at Texas Christian University from 1975-1979, he won the No. 1 Doubles Southwest Conference Championship in 1975 and the No. 4 Doubles Title in 1977.
Tut played on the Professional Satellite Circuit from 1980-1981 and achieved a No. 400 ATP career-high ranking in 1981.
From 1983-86, he attended the University of Texas (Arlington) and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Architecture in 1986.
Tut owns an architecture firm, Bartzen & Ball, with offices in Richmond and Alexandria, VA.
He is married to Mary-Hunter Bartzen and has a 7-year-old daughter, Sara.
Junior Sportsmanship (Female)
* Lilian Burchell (Ruxton, MD) 10 years old - Girls 12
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| Lilian Burchell won the Junior Sportsmanship Award. |
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| Lilian Burchell |
Lily Burchell is a fierce competitor whose sportsmanship extends on and off the tennis court. When playing, Lily demonstrates a knowledge and respect for the rules of the game. Since beginning competitive tennis at the age of seven, Lily has shown grace and humility towards her opponents, tournament officials and tournament directors. She started competing in the 10s and was ranked No. 1 in the Mid Atlantic. Currently, Lily is ranked No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic 12s and 124 nationally. Lily's dedication to training and playing is a reflection of her love of the game.
Submitted by Joanne Levy, Lily's coach
Junior Sportsmanship (Male)
* James Davis (Manassas, VA) 18 years old - Boys’ 18
Tennis Facility of the Year
* George Washington Tennis Center at Mount Vernon Campus-DC
Tennis Director & Men’s Coach Greg Munoz (Falls Church, VA)
Jr. Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year
* Robin Echols (Roanoke, VA)
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| Robin Echols started Jr. Team Tennis in Roanoke, VA. (L-R) Chris Dickenson, Carl Heath, Adam Sledd, Robin Echols, Paxton Daniels, Gillian Horn, and Paul Wheelock. |
This is the first year for Junior Team Tennis in Roanoke, Virginia, and Robin Echols is the first coordinator of leagues 14, 12, 10, and 8-and-unders.
Robin started the Roanoke Junior Team Tennis League in Spring of 2009. Through hard work and recruiting, the league began with 17 teams and 187 players playing in May and June. She has continued working on the league and now there are two divisions in each age group, beginner and intermediate. In Fall 2009, the league grew to 19 teams with juniors enjoying tennis in September and October. She has a lot of new ideas and plans on growing more teams in Spring 2010.
Robin also coordinates another league in Roanoke. She serves as the Roanoke Middle School Tennis Club league coordinator in the Roanoke Valley, and is one of the coaches for the Cave Spring Middle School team. There are five middle schools playing tennis under her direction with 77 players and 12 coaches. These teams are playing in the USTA Locally Branded Team Tennis program with the support of the Roanoke Valley CTA. She also applied and received one of the USTA Recreational Grants for the Middle School Program for the upcoming year. Both JTT and the Middle School league are run with an army of volunteers coordinated by Robin. She has succeeded in coordinating coaches, players, clubs, schools and schedules to create an outstanding year of play for Juniors in the Roanoke Valley.
Official of the Year
* Frank Wilson (Kensington, MD)
National Junior Tennis & Learning
NJTL of the Year
(Level 1: Large Community-Based Organization)
*Reston Association
(Reston, VA)
Tennis Director Mary Conaway
[Also received nomination for Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Facility of the Year]
NJTL of the Year (Level 2-3)
*Prince George's Tennis and Education Foundation
(Upper Marlboro, MD)
Founder and Executive Director Brenda Gilmore
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| Founder and Executive Director Brenda Gilmore |
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| Prince George's Tennis and Education Foundation's community outreach helped teach kids tennis in local schools and communities. |
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| This Upper Marlboro, MD, foundation has helped these kids learn how to play QuickStart tennis. |
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Brenda Gilmore has been a crusader, bringing tennis to her Maryland county and teaching students at local schools and communities.
“I co-founded the foundation while working at USTA/MAS as a schools-program director,” she said. “Through that job, I was able to help communities around the Mid-Atlantic start tennis programs but didn’t have one where I lived in Prince George’s County. We received a $1000 grant from National and have been growing in numbers and programs offered ever since.”
NJTL of the Year (Level 4-5)
* An Achievable Dream Academy (Newport News, VA)
Tennis Director Judi Overbey
2009 Virginia Annual Awards
Teaching Professional of the Year
Victor Rizzi (Richmond)
Club of the Year
Farmington Country Club (Charlottesville)
Organization of the Year
NOVA Family Enrichment Program
(Alexandria)
CTA (Community Tennis Association) Volunteer of the Year
Robert Yen (McLean)
Washington Area Chinese Tennis Association (WACTA)
Volunteer of the Year
Tracy Sledd (Roanoke)
Committee Chair of the Year
Arthur Allmond (Windsor)
Adult Area League Coordinator of the Year
Karen Steenberg (Virginia Beach)
Jr. Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year
Robin Echols (Roanoke)
High School No-Cut Coach of the Year
John Morris
Tennis On Campus Leadership
Sean Ryefield
Tournament Director of the Year
Donald Weed (Virginia Beach)
Tournament of the Year
NOVA Men’s 45,55,65 Category II
National Event (Belle Haven Country Club)
(Alexandria, VA)
Umpire of the Year
Maggie Schewel (Lynchburg)
Adult Tournament Player of the Year
Jim Develbiss
Junior Tournament Player of the Year
Stephen Owen (Charlottesville)
Adult Sportsmanship of the Year
Brian Cunniff (Chesapeake)
Junior Sportsmanship of the Year (Male)
Alex Yachanin (Glen Allen)
Junior Sportsmanship of the Year (Female)
Carmen Zanetti (Richmond)
Press Award
Hubert Grimm III
Family of the Year
The Bruner Family
Military Family of the Year
The Lawrence Family (Fort Belvior)
Community Outreach
Association of Richmond Tennis Professionals
(Richmond)
Presidential Award
George Duangmanee (Fairfax, VA)
Thai Tennis Organization in
America (TTOA)
Dick Green Service Award
Hugh Waters (Richmond)
(Mrs. Bobbi Green will present award.)
To see Virginia's Annual Meeting photos, click here.
2009 West Virginia Annual Awards
Lifetime Commitment Award
Charlie Roberts (Martinsburg)
Glenn Edwards (Charles Town)
Volunteer of the Year
Pete Deremer (Morgantown)
Cliff Jones (Charles Town)
Male Sportsmanship Award
Micah Hornak (Morgantown)
Female Sportsmanship Award
Allison Arnold (Morgantown)
To see West Virginia's Award Winners, click here.
2009 Maryland Annual Awards
Pam Shriver Award
Outstanding Contributions to Tennis in Maryland
Frank Hatten (Bethesda)
Junior Sportsmanship – Male
Alex Hahn (Rockville)
Junior Sportsmanship – Female
Victoria Kogan (Columbia)
Adult Sportsmanship – Male
Dion Williams (Mitchellville)
Maury Schwarzman Award
for Player Development
Lenny Scheuerman (Lutherville)
Teaching Pro of the Year
Bob Anderman (Lutherville)
Organization of the Year
Greenspring Racquet Club (Lutherville)
2009 USTA Facility of the Year
Program Administration of the Year – Adults
Sara Brown (Glenwood)
Program Administration of the Year – Juniors
Tim Almaguer (Baltimore)
Tournament Director of the Year
Larry Butler (Perry Hall)
Special Recognition Award
Ben Woods (Silver Spring)
Assoc of MD Tennis Officials
Umpire of the Year
Garth Finney (Columbia)
Van Brunt Rookie of the Year
Chung Bell (Silver Spring)
Friends of Patterson Park, which is a park within the Baltimore City Parks & Recreation department
Frank Wilson became certified in 2001 and has been fully engaged in the craft since that time. Frank has officiated at numerous junior and adult tournaments throughout the Section, including serving as Referee for USTA League championships.
Frank was elected Vice Chair of the Association of Maryland Tennis Officials (AMTO) in 2008, and moved up to the Chair in January 2009.
Under Frank’s leadership, AMTO has launched a monthly e-newsletter to its members, worked to upgrade and standardize working conditions and pay for officials, contacted all Tournament Directors within the State of Maryland to advocate their use of certified officials at all of their events, and has prepared basic marketing literature designed to attract new members.
In consideration of his substantial contributions to officiating, Frank was named Official of the Year by AMTO in 2008. He was recently elected to a full term as AMTO Chair for the years 2010-2011.
Submitted by James Lawson
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| Frank Wilson is the USTA/Mid-Atlantic Official of the Year. |
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| Robin Echols (Roanoke, VA) won the Virginia District and Mid-Atlantic Section's Jr. Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year. Cave Spring Middle School Tennis Club: (First row, L-R) Justin Larkin, Paxton Daniels, Jayden Olsen, Safa Eltaib, Khal Clary. (Second row) Coach Robin Echols, Tom Conroy, Supreet Pannu, Trey Harris, Chris Dickenson, Cayla Wilson, Gillian Horn, Drew Bond, Paul Wheelock. (Third row) Tristan Witham, Adam Sledd, Saqib Ahmed, Jordan Stafford, Carl Heath, Brittan Wilcox, Britney Whitham, Coach Tracy Sledd. |
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| The George Washington Tennis Center at Mount Vernon Campus in DC |
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| Greg Munoz (Falls Church, VA) and GW women's head coach Dawn Buth |
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| Ariska-Citra and Greg Munoz |
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| Greg Munoz |
The George Washington University men’s head coach Greg Munoz has been leading the Colonials for three seasons.
Before that, Munoz was the Johns Hopkins University men’s assistant coach while working toward his master’s degree in marketing and finance.
The New Jersey native was also the Georgetown Visitation Prep School girls’ head coach in Washington, DC.
A 1992 Binghamton University grad, Munoz was the East Regional Senior Player of the Year and an NCAA singles qualifier.
He was the Rolex East Doubles champion in 1991.
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| Junior Sportsmanship Award winner James Davis (Manassas, VA) |
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| James Davis, 18, rips a topspin backhand. |
Jimmy Davis , 18, said "Tennis is in my blood. I love the game."
Since the Virginia native began playing tennis as a 5-year-old, he has loved tennis and always had great respect for his instructors, opponents and equipment. He calls lines fairly and is always friendly and respectful to his opponents. He acknowledges their good shots and congratulates them when he loses to them.
"I learn more from my defeats than I do from my victories," he added. “My behavior on the court reflects on my coach and my family. I don't want to disappoint them."
He is coached by Fairfax Racquet Club’s Vinh Do, who took Jimmy at age 12 and molded him into a formidable tournament player.
"Vinh helped me turn my weaknesses into strengths,” Davis said.
Jimmy also trains at 4 Star Tennis Academy in Merrifield, VA, in the Super Nationals Program, which offers him great competition.
Achievements:
Current Mid-Atlantic ranking is No. 8 in the Boys’ 18s.
Plays No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles for Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas and was the Virginia Northwest Region singles champion the past two years.
Davis was selected to play on the Mid-Atlantic Zonal Teams in the 14s and 16s.
This year, he was invited to play on the Mid-Atlantic Boys 18s National Team Championships in Champaigne, IL, where he won the USTA Sportsmanship award, his favorite award.
Most Satisfying Victory:
Winning the gold medal at the USTA 14's Zonal Team Championship at Virginia Beach.
Davis said, "I enjoyed rooting for my teammates and having them cheer for me. At zonals, you get to know your Mid-Atlantic opponents and they became your teammates and friends."
He is looking forward to playing college tennis for a Virginia college or university.
Father: James
Has played USTA and NOVA tennis leagues
Mother: Rose Mary from Cochabamba, Bolivia, is an active USTA member.
Her father was one the best players in Bolivia during his time.
Sister: Kristen
Currently on tennis team at George Mason University
Tut said, “My best accomplishment in tennis is more of a personal victory. I was playing in the National Juniors at Kalamazoo in my first year in the 18-and-under, and I won my first two rounds and was feeling pretty good about my game when I came up on Matt Mitchell (the future Stanford All-American player). Matt beat me that day 6-0, 6-0 in one of the most precision displays of tennis I had ever seen to that point. The next year, in my last year of the 18-and-under, I had entered two tournaments before Kalamazoo, the National Junior Clay Courts in Louisville, KY, and the Western Championships in Springfield, OH. I was playing well in the Westerns, and had a good win over a talented Californian, Walter Redondo, in the second round. In the third round, I had to play Matt Mitchell again. This time, I went out onto the court with only one goal, to win one game. I was not going to be humiliated by a 6-0, 6-0 loss again. This dubious strategy worked well for me though, and I was able to beat Matt Mitchell, less than a year after my humiliating defeat, 6-1, 6-4.”
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| Laila Cofield |
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| Michele Archibald was named the USTA/Mid-Atlantic Leagues Coordinator of the Year. |
The Waraich Family has been a part of the Reston Tennis Community since 2004. Originally from India, the family epitomizes what a Tennis Family of the Year should strive to be. Their wealth is measured by their generosity of the heart. The parents are always involved and not only set the example but set the bar high! The family is hard working and very generous of their time and their passion for tennis is contagious.
The children often volunteer to be ball kids at our tournaments. The parents are always helping pick up balls and putting away equipment at our lessons. Often anyone in the family is willing to be a hitting partner for others in need. Just about any day of the week, you will see the entire family on the courts hitting together and working on their games. It’s not just that they are good tennis players, all of them demonstrate a love and respect for the game and are willing to devote their family time to improve their game and be a part of and give back to their community.
Submitted by Mary Conaway
Reston Association Tennis Manager
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| Cris Robinson was named the USTA-Mid-Atlantic Teaching Professional of the Year. |
Chris Robinson was hired by Willow Oaks Country Club in the fall of 2008. In less than a year, he has totally transformed our tennis operations. Events that Cris introducted to the club this year included QuickStart, college week, junior tennis academy, and the Drysdale touring clinic, just to name a few.
The College Week event was an amazing event held twice this summer. The area’s top junior players were able to gain exposure and training from college coaches all over the country. Approximately 18 universities were represented and dozens of juniors participated.
Along with building an excellent team of tennis professionals, Cris has built a program that our members are proud of. He continues to look for ways to improve the program while keeping a focus on member service.
The last but most relevant reason for his nomination is his community involvement. As noted in the nomination form, he helped introduce QuickStart tennis into local schools by working with phys-ed teachers and the city parks department. Additionally, he brings in a number of juniors that don’t have the ability to afford a private club, and he founded the Greater Richmond Rated Doubles Tournament that has been played annually since 2002.
We are proud to have Cris as our Director of Tennis and hope you award him the Teaching Pro of the Year.
Sincerely,
Chris L. Welles
General Manager
Willow Oaks Country Club
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| Christi Fewster (Westminster, MD) |
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| Christi Fewster and fiance John Spencer at the US Open in New York. |
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| Greg Overcamp gives a medal to a Special Olympic athlete. |
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Amos & Eula Best took their degrees in education and turned it into something great in Fredericksburg.
Amos, who earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, and Eula, who earned a Master’s Degree in Student Development, started the Active Aces Super Seniors Tennis Club of Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County.
For more than 40 years, Amos’ professional career was in recreation as an Associate Director for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington and as a Recreation Specialist for The D.C. Department of Correction where he retired in 2002.
Eula's professional career after 30 years with Verizon ended as a Communications Representative and as a teacher in Maryland's Public School System, where she also served as an assistant tennis coach. Eula retired in 1999 from Verizon and in 2006 from the school system.
Amos has played tennis since taking the class in college in 1976. He taught his wife (Eula), their two sons and five grandchildren how to play tennis.
Amos played tennis regularly while living in Fort Washington, Md. He played at Tucker Road Tennis Courts, where they formed a 3.5 tennis team that won Sectionals and competed at Nationals in Tucson, Arizona, in 1989.
After retiring in 2002, Amos and Eula joined the Active Aces Super Seniors Tennis Club of Metropolitan Washington and they have spent most of their time attending USTA workshops, playing in tournaments, volunteering, and teaching tennis.
In 2006 Amos & Eula moved to a seniors community in Fredericksburg, Va. Not finding a tennis program like the one in Maryland, Amos & Eula decided to start one. Amos & Eula visited local parks, tennis courts, YMCAs, and colleges in search of a tennis site.
After researching these places, they presented their idea to the president of AASSTC of Metro. With the support of the AASSTC President and Park & Recreation Officials approval, they started AASSTC of Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County.
Indoor tennis began at Mary Washington Tennis Center with only four members in January of 2007. The outdoor program started at Loriella Park in April 2007 with 11 members. The AASSTC of Fredericksburg presently has 47 members.
Since moving to Fredericksburg, Amos & Eula volunteer at the Bragg Hill Family Life Center tutoring disadvantaged children and refugees.
Amos & Eula teach beginners tennis to the children at Bragg Hill during their summer program. In 2007, they were able to teach 30 children for the summer camp with only 12 borrowed racquets. The program was a huge success even though they had to share racquets, use a badminton net, and share the gym with other programs.
In 2008 before the summer tennis program started, Amos & Eula asked the seniors of AASSTC of Fredericksburg to donate their old racquets. Equipment was borrowed from Park & Rec. and Eula purchased old racquets at garage sales. By the start of the summer program, they had 24 racquets, two portable tennis nets, and different types of balls which were koosh, whiffle, and tennis. This past year they taught tennis to 48 children ages 4 - 15 years old. Their goal next year is to have 30 or more tennis racquets for their volunteer effort.
Many of the senior tennis players, the President of AASSTC of Metro, Loriella Park and Bragg Hill officials have thanked Amos & Eula for their commitment, hard work, and determination to have tennis in Fredericksburg for children, youth, adults, and seniors. Amos & Eula believe tennis is a life long sport that should be played by all.
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| Marny Malin |
I have been a photojournalist for too many years to count and the past 3 years as photo editor at the Fort Belvoir Army installation. I have worked most of my career in the Midwest covering professional, college and high school sports for wire services, large dailies and local weeklies.
I have a love and appreciation of sports that is drawn from growing up with two athletic, older brothers, and many friends and neighbors in a time where playing meant being outside and engaged in one form of organized group sports until the light faded or we were called indoors.
I appreciate athletes, their gracefulness, individual and team effort, and determination. Tennis has always been interesting and exciting sport, one where the coverage for women has been close to equal and often empowering. I am among the millions who watched Billie Jean King defeat Bobby Riggs and relish that moment to this day.
I have always believed that the purest athletes are found at the children’s level, and I try to promote it. I get the chance to marvel as they grow in talent, strength and spirit from year to year enabled in part by the sport that they compete in.
Thank you for the honor of USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section Photojournalist of the Year. I will continue to spread the good word and photos about all that you truly contribute throughout the community.
Sincerely,
Marny Malin
Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Kathryn Barrett enjoyed a career in TV news for more than 25 years. She served as Medical Editor at WVEC-TV and was a former noon news anchor of the ABC affiliate in Norfolk, VA.
During her broadcasting career, Barrett traveled to six foreign countries and covered wars in Iraq (2006) and Croatia (1995) where she reported from American military combat tent hospitals.
Among other notables, Barrett has interviewed President George H.W. Bush, America's first test-tube baby Elizabeth Carr, at age 16, Senator John Glenn, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Pat Robertson, Bruce Hornsby, Ruth Brown, John McEnroe and Guillermo Vilas.
In addition to sitting behind the anchor desk, Barrett has spent countless hours sitting courtside as the parent of a former junior tennis player and as a tennis writer. She follows players of all ages from the Mid-Atlantic region, from juniors to super seniors. Kathryn’s articles and photos can be seen on midatlantic.usta.com.
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| Kathryn Barrett |
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| Kathryn Barrett interviews Skylar Morton. |
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| Tennis writer Kathryn Barrett, who was named the USTA/Mid-Atlantic's Journalist of the Year, after interviewing with University of Virginia men's head coach Brian Boland. |
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| Gloria Dean hands out books to the Fort Belvoir children. |
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| Gloria Dean and her Junior Team Tennis players Madison LaValle, Rachel Phillips, Lleyton McFarland, and Dana Markowski celebrating their new scorecards. |
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| Reston pro Chume Bertrand, Mary Conaway, and Tennis Assistant Rob Tucker. |
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| About 300 people attended the Asian Festival Block Party with Radek Stepanek and Murphy Jensen. |
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Reston Association Tennis Manager Mary Conaway said, “Through my 10 years of professional tennis experience, I would like to continue to grow the sport of tennis at a local level through my USTA activities, as well as establish an indoor facility for the Reston Association Community.”
Conaway has been active in the USTA:
* 2009-2010 USTA National Chair of Learning and Leadership Development
* 2008 Northern Virginia Women's Division Vice President
* 2008-Co-Chair of Volunteer Services/Mid-Atlantic Section
She has been promoting tennis through her position and volunteer activities:
* Asian Festival co-sponsor/organizer
* Will-call volunteer at Legg Mason tournament
* PTR State Representative
* Avon Walk for Breast Cancer walker/volunteer
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| Reston Association Tennis Manager Mary Conaway, Washington Kastles Championship Coach Murphy Jensen and RA President Robin Smyers at the Asian Festival Block Party. |