USTA Northern Section Awards

2025 USTA Northern Awards and Hall of Fame Gala

A part of Tennis Weekend

When: Friday, November 14, 2025, 6PM

Where: InterContinental Hotel, MSP Airport.

2025 Awards and Hall of Fame Guide

2025 Section Award Nomination Form

2025 Section Hall of Fame Nomination Form

2025 USTA Northern Awards

Hall of Fame Inductees 

Jon Rydberg

Jon Rydberg, a Pine City, MN native, is deeply involved in all aspects of tennis. He is an accomplished international wheelchair tennis player and coach whose career spans over two decades. Rydberg was the top-ranked wheelchair tennis player in the United States and ranked 12th in the world with his time on tour. He made his Paralympic Games debut as a 26-year-old in Athens, Greece, in 2004 followed by Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, and the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016.

Rydberg's full circle moment is now being a National coach, where he delivers the game of tennis to all different communities around the world, including our Northern Section. Some coaching highlights range from being the USTA National coach for all Team USA players to being the head tennis coach at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, MN. His expert knowledge and assistance from all walks of life continue to grow the wheelchair and adaptive tennis space across the world. According to Rydberg, "there are many ways in which wheelchair players can get involved, such as joining a kids camp, middle school or high school team, or just playing with friends and family. Athletes can compete in USTA leagues, at an intercollegiate level, or go pro!"

Rydberg enjoys meeting new people, making connections in the tennis community and helping others get the most out of the sport. He is one of our continued advocates for our section.

Jim Prittinen

Jim received his USPTA certification in 1979 while attending Dental School at the University of Minnesota. He coached at St Paul Indoor and Wooddale during his time in Minneapolis, and went home to Virginia, MN to lead summer recreation programs for adults and juniors, as well as beginning a 45 year span as a volunteer assistant coach for the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams in Virginia.

During this time, Jim’s high school teams have won more than 50 Section 7 titles in team and individual competition, often playing “on the last day of the tournament”, and always representing their communities with the highest levels of sportsmanship. Jim served on the USTA Northern Board from 1981-1988, and was the 1994 recipient of the Ward Burton Junior Development award.

Inspired by his son Joe, Jim spent 10 years as a volunteer coach for the Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy for Down Syndrome, as well as leading what was the largest Special Olympics tennis team in Minnesota, the Iron Range Aces.

In 2006, Jim played an integral role in raising $1 million to build a four court indoor tennis facility in Virginia, MN and serves on the Board of Directors. Donated to

the City of Virginia, this indoor/outdoor complex provides excellent year round training to tennis athletes on the Iron Range.

Because of Jim’s passion, the Prittinen name is synonymous with tennis in Minnesota.

Ward C. Burton Junior Development Award

This award is presented to an individual/organization who has promoted the growth of tennis for juniors and served the junior tennis community in USTA Northern. 

Nick Dunivant (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Frank Voigt Pro of the Year

The Frank Voigt Pro of the Year Award is given to a tennis teaching professional who demonstrates leadership skills on and off the court.

Kevin Plank (Lennox, South Dakota)

Family of the Year

The Family of the Year Award is presented to a family that has been outstanding in promoting tennis both on and off the court.

Swanson Family (Minnetonka, Minnesota)

Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award 

The Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award is presented to one boy and one girl from each age division who not only display the finest qualities of sportsmanship during tournament play, but who demonstrate exemplary conduct away from the court as well.

Tarun Gopalakrishnan (Hopkins, Minnesota)

Jude Houck (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Albert Teeter Adult Sportsmanship Award

This award is presented to the adult player who displays fairness and generosity while winning and losing with respect and integrity.

Douglas Zehren (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Jack Dow Adult Development Award

This award honors the individual whose efforts have had the greatest impact on improving adult competitive and recreational play for that year. Among those individuals to be considered are tennis teaching professionals, tournament directors, USTA League Tennis coordinators and captains, and others.

Mike Torres (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Rocky Rockwell Grassroots Official Award

The Rocky Rockwell Grassroots Official Award was established in 2009 to honor an official who has done outstanding work as an official at the grassroots level. These people are the backbone of USTA officiating.

Helena Mendes-Soares (Rochester, Minnesota)

Wolfenson-Ratner Community Service Award

This award honors an individual for his/her outstanding fieldwork in recreational tennis. It is awarded for significant contributions in developing community-based tennis programs through community centers, schools, parks, and CTA's.

Lycia Thornburg (Rapid City, South Dakota)

Member Organization of the Year

The Member Organization of the Year recognizes outstanding service by clubs, CTA's, schools, NJTL Chapters, Park & Recreation Agencies and other member organizations. It represents a standard for which all member organizations can strive to achieve.

Williston Fitness Center (Minnetonka, Minnesota)

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For more information, please contact Zeny McCoy at zeny@northern.usta.com.