USTA Eastern Announces 2011 Annual Award Winners
USTA Eastern will honor 26 outstanding volunteers, tennis pros, players and organizations at its Annual Awards Dinner on Jan. 29, 2011 at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in White Plains, N.Y. The award recipients will be recognized for the range of ways they helped grow tennis in the section: from providing free tennis lessons to kids to organizing programs for players with special needs.
“All of the award winners have had a major impact in their tennis communities,” said D.A. Abrams, executive director of USTA Eastern. “Whether they are teaching kids, coordinating adult teams or volunteering at special events, their dedication and hard work has allowed players of all ages and abilities to learn and play this great sport.”
The dinner marks the end of USTA Eastern’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Development Workshop, Jan. 28-29, 2011. The meeting this year is entitled “Serving Aces,” and will feature workshops on writing grant applications and running USTA-sanctioned tournaments. There will also be a high school coaches workshop and a special session on the USTA’s 10 and Under Tennis initiative.
To register for the meeting or the dinner, visit www.eastern.usta.com.
USTA Eastern Award Recipients
â–ºLifetime Achievement Award: Arvelia Meyers, New York, N.Y.
â–ºTennis Woman of the Year: Katrina Adams, White Plains, N.Y.
â–ºLeslie J. FitzGibbon Tennis Man of the Year: Jim Neal, Schenectady, N.Y.
â–ºTennis Family of the Year: Thyroff Family, Rochester, N.Y.
â–ºCorporate Service Award: Longines, Weehawken, N.J.
â–ºClinician of the Year: Billy Nealon, Rochester, N.Y.
â–ºClub Service Award: Sportime-Randall’s Island, New York, N.Y.
â–ºCollegiate Award: Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
â–ºGeorge Seewagen Award: Mark Savage, Wallkill, N.Y.
â–ºJr. Team Tennis Area League Coordinator of the Year: Steve Abbondondelo, Hicksville, N.Y.
â–ºLeague Award: Fran Hart, Albany, N.Y.
â–ºLouise Cilla Award: Diane Kohout, Wykoff, N.J.
â–ºMember Organization of the Year: Ramapo Parks and Recreation, Ramapo, N.Y.
â–ºMulticultural Participation Leadership Award: Lou Reid, New York, N.Y.
â–ºPress Service Award: The Tennis Channel, New York, N.Y.
â–ºRegional Volunteer of the Year (Long Island): Marian Morris, Atlantic Beach, N.Y.
â–ºRegional Volunteer of the Year (Metro): Pablo Sierra, Brooklyn, N.Y.
â–ºRegional Volunteer of the Year (New Jersey): Steve Diamond, Montville, N.J.
â–ºRegional Volunteer of the Year (Northern region): Tom Chin, Latham, N.Y.
â–ºRegional Volunteer of the Year (Southern region): Sharon Weiner, Pound Ridge, N.Y.
â–ºRegional Volunteer of the Year (Western region): Shawna McFarlane, Lewiston, N.Y.
â–ºService to People with Disabilities Award: Melanie Fauchet, Pittsford, N.Y.
â–ºSpecial Service Award: Martin McMahon, Clifton Park, N.Y.
â–ºUmpire Service Award: Bill George, Webster, N.Y.
â–ºUSTA Community Service Award: Charles DeNicola, Cranford, N.J.
â–ºVirginia and Chuck Landis High School Coach of the Year: Rich Johns, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
For more information, visit www.eastern.usta.com.
