Pictured above: Buddy Up for Life founders, the Gibson family (L-R, Rick, Will, and Beth) with coach Doug DiRosario, all of New Albany, Ohio. Their Buddy Up Tennis program for individuals with Down syndrome was founded in 2008 and won the Adaptive Award in 2016. Currently, there are 25 Buddy Up Tennis programs active nationwide.

PRESENTED AT

USTA Semiannual Meeting & Conference

HISTORY

The USTA Adaptive Tennis National Community Service Award was established in 2003 to recognize either an individual or a program that has demonstrated excellence, dedication, and service related to tennis for an Adaptive Tennis community. 

ELIGIBILITY

Any program that has demonstrated continued excellence, dedication, and tennis-related service for those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

CRITERIA

To qualify for a program award, the program must have been in existence for a minimum of three consecutive years and be a registered USTA Adaptive Tennis program.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Anyone is eligible to nominate an adaptive tennis program for this award. 

• Additional supporting documentation demonstrating the nominee’s contributions pertaining to the award may be submitted.

• The selection committee is comprised of a panel of USTA Adaptive Tennis Committee members and national staff who work with adaptive tennis. 

TIMETABLE 

Nomination forms are usually available in March with an April deadline for submitting. 

USTA CONTACT

Andrea Snead

Director, Diversity & Inclusion

10000 USTA Blvd,

Orlando, FL 32827

HISTORY

Established in 2003, the award recognizes a program or program leader that has demonstrated continued excellence, dedicated and service in tennis for special populations. 

YEAR      RECIPIENT

2003      Eunice Kennedy Shriver

2004      Janet Lefkowitz

2005      Diana Love

2006      Professional Tennis Registry

2007      Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund

2008      Handi-Racket Tennis

2009      Special Populations

2010      Touch of Tennis, Jim Holt

2011      Tennis for Fun, Nathan and Judy Moore

2012      Omaha Tennis Buddies

2013      Omaha Tennis Buddies

2014      ACEing Autism

2015      San Diego District Tennis Association, Wounded Warrior Tennis Program

2016      Buddy Up Tennis, Inc.

2018      Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina 

2019      Lob-Stars