USTA HONORS NANCY HOROWITZ OF PEMBROKE PINES, FLA., WITH
2007 USTA EVE F. KRAFT COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Nancy Horowitz of Pembroke Pines, Fla., was selected as a 2007 USTA Eve F. Kraft Community Service Award recipient. Horowitz will be honored along with three other recipients at an awards banquet, before more than 600 community tennis leaders at the annual USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop held on February 23, 2008 at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Nev. The USTA bestows the Eve F. Kraft Community Service Award upon individuals who perpetuate his/her selfless mission to bring the game of tennis to anyone who wants to play.
Horowitz is being recognized for her dedication to tennis in her community. Nancy began in 1980 as a volunteer when she founded the Pembroke Pines Tennis Association, which served the city as a tennis advisory committee and spearheaded efforts to build four more tennis courts on the east side of town. Her commitment landed her a full-time position as a Parks and Recreation Tennis Coordinator. Now Horowitz’s responsibilities include staffing the city’s six public facilities, overseeing 12 tennis pros, purchasing equipment and more. She coordinates more than 50 courts across the area which gives tennis opportunity to over 1,000 people of all ages. She is also a recognized tennis official who has traveled to a number of events ranging from the Orange Bowl to the 1996 Olympics.
"Eve Kraft was a dedicated community tennis pioneer who was the original architect of how to grow the game at the grassroots level, making tennis accessible for anyone who wants to play," said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "Nancy Horowitz is a passionate, hands on volunteer, she’s cut from the same cloth as Eve and we are proud to honor her with this award.”
Horowitz is one of four honorees this year including: Jaime Kaplan of Macon, Ga.; Suzanne Jollensten of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Bob Phelps of Carson City, Nev.
Eve F. Kraft was a tennis pioneer whose ability to touch people’s lives exceeded the boundaries of the tennis court. As teacher, coach, author, USTA staff member and volunteer, Kraft was a lifelong champion of recreational tennis in the United States until her death in 1999. She introduced thousands of young people to the game of tennis, particularly in disadvantaged communities.