USTA Northern Section Awards

 

2026 USTA Northern Awards and Hall of Fame Gala

 

When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 6:00 PM

Where: Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD

 

2026 Awards and Hall of Fame Guide

2026 Section Award Nomination Form

2026 Section Hall of Fame Nomination Form

 

 

2026 USTA Northern Awards

 

Hall of Fame Inductees 

Bob Cordova (Bismarck, ND)

Known affectionately across the region as "Mr. North Dakota Tennis," Robert “Bob” Cordova has spent more than five decades playing, coaching, and championing the sport, leaving an indelible mark on the tennis community throughout USTA Northern.

 

A multi-sport star and student leader at Holy Trinity High School in Trinidad, Colorado, Bob served in the U.S. Army Active Duty and Reserve before earning athletic honors at Bismarck Junior College and graduating from Mary College. 

 

Bob’s passion for tennis took root in the Bismarck-Mandan area, where he founded the Bismarck/Mandan Tennis Association in 1972 and introduced USTA tournaments to North Dakota.

 

As a high school coach for Bismarck Public Schools for thirty years, as well as a coach at Bismarck State College and the University of Mary, Bob mentored generations of student-athletes, guiding conference and state champions while building a culture of sportsmanship and lifelong love for the game. On the court, his own playing accomplishments span decades of tournament titles, including a USTA League 7.5 Combo Section Championship in 2004.

 

Beyond coaching, Bob served as tournament director for the Jackie Dockter Memorial Tennis Tournament for over 15 years, served on USTA Northern section committees, and was a driving force behind the creation of the Mandan Tennis Center. In 2014, his lifelong dedication was recognized when he was inducted into the inaugural class of the North Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame.

 

 

Jessie Daw (Vermillion, SD)

Across every level of the game, from high school state championships and Big Ten competition to academic research, national curriculum development, and grassroots community outreach, Jessie Daw has embodied the heart, passion, and purpose of tennis across USTA Northern.

 

A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduate of Wayzata High School, Jessie’s lifelong journey with tennis began early. By age 12, she had claimed the South Dakota Closed and Twin Cities Aquatennial titles, going on to win the South Dakota Open in 1979 and represent USTA Northern in national tournaments. 

 

While at Lincoln, she led her team to its first-ever state championship title in her junior year while capturing individual state titles in both singles and doubles. Her exceptional play earned her a top national junior ranking and a full athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois, where she became the Fighting Illini's first nationally ranked female tennis player.

 

Jessie dedicated her career to coaching, higher education, and coach training. As Head Women's Tennis Coach and Professor at Northern State University in Aberdeen, she mentored student-athletes while helping resurrect junior tennis across the area.

 

Jessie's leadership expanded across the section and the nation. An eight-year member of the USTA Northern Board of Directors, she chaired the Diversity & Inclusion and CTA/NJTL committees and served as a master trainer and USTA Coaching Ambassador. Nationally, as Vice Chair of the USTA Local Play and Competition Committee, she helped draft and publish the USTA Net Generation curriculum based on the American Development Model, bringing academic insight and practical expertise to youth development nationwide.

 

Her devotion to removing barriers and expanding access has redefined community tennis. In Vermillion, she introduced creative events like Mini-Net Mayhem. In Wagner, she organized university students to deliver free monthly tennis programming for Native American youth on the Yankton Reservation. In 2025, her impactful work earned national recognition when she was honored at the US Open as a USTA Champion of Equality.

  

 

Liz Hamburg (Rapid City, SD)

Throughout her decades of dedication to tennis and community service across South Dakota and the USTA Northern Section, Liz Hamburg when a challenge needs to be met, she’s the one to do it. And she will do it with everything she’s got. 

 

A Wall, South Dakota native and University of South Dakota graduate, Liz’s passion for organized tennis took root when she moved to Rapid City. Starting out as a player whose USTA league teams reached Sectional finals in 2004 and 2006, she quickly turned her talent and energy toward growing the game for everyone around her.

 

Liz’s began her work with the Black Hills Tennis Association, and if there was a role, she filled it. Her titles included Association President from 2010 to 2013. She also organized tournaments, adult mixers, and school tennis programs, while working directly with the City of Rapid City and local school district to create the 12-court Parkview tennis complex.

 

From 2014 to 2017, she led St. Thomas More High School girls tennis team, mentoring student-athletes and guiding them to a state championship title in 2015.

 

Liz’s vision soon expanded to the section level. She joined the USTA Northern Board of Directors in 2008, and served as Chair of the Junior Tennis Council, Board Secretary, and First Vice President before being elected President of USTA Northern, becoming the first person to ever serve two consecutive terms. 

 

During her tenure, she led the section with courage and grace through major transitions—including the Executive Director search, moving the section headquarters to Viking Lakes in Eagan, Minnesota, and navigating the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Liz’s service extends to the national stage as USTA Sectional Delegate, Coordinator for the USTA Advisory Group on Committees, and member of the USTA National Nominating Committee for 2025–2026.

 

Her lifetime contributions earned her the 2011 USTA Northern Wolfenson–Ratner Community Service Award, induction into the South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame in 2022, and regional nonprofit leadership honors.

 

Whether advocating for community tennis programs, guiding sectional strategy, or shaping national governance, Liz Hamburg has modeled what true servant leadership looks like.

 

 

Cindy Huether (Sioux Falls, SD)

For Cindy Huether, tennis is more than a game. It’s even more than a passion. Tennis is an opportunity to strengthen a community and form lifelong connections for all of those within it. Nobody has demonstrated leadership, dedication, and transformative impact across local, sectional, and national levels more than Cindy.

 

Though she has spent years as a USTA league coordinator, tournament director, and certified official, Cindy’s focus has always been outward.

 

Cindy’s grassroots leadership began with the Sioux Falls Tennis Association, serving as President and later Executive Director from 2009 to 2017. Driven to make tennis accessible to every child, she collaborated with local elementary schools to introduce the sport into physical education programs and helped paint permanent tennis lines on 24 school grounds across the city.

 

She organized coaching workshops for area teachers and coaches, coached the Washington High School 'no cut' girls tennis program, and served as a certified USTA official for nearly a decade. Her vision made Sioux Falls the third community in the United States to build permanent 10-and-under tennis courts at Spellerberg Park.

 

Having a vision for tennis facilities and seeing the project through became Cindy’s signature. She facilitated and fundraised to renovate the tennis facility at Augustana University. Then, as a co-founding board member of Huether Family Match Pointe, she led the effort to create a state-of-the-art public indoor facility.

 

Beyond the courts, Cindy introduced tennis to the Legends Sports Clinic, impacting tens of thousands of young athletes through the Legends for Kids initiative. Alongside her husband Mike, she co-chaired the first two public school opt-out campaigns in Sioux Falls and continues to volunteer at local organizations like The Banquet, St. Francis House, and Holy Spirit Church.

 

As Cindy once shared: 'I don't want my legacy to be a name on a building. It's about providing access for everyone to play.'

 

Cindy’s service extends across the USTA Northern Section, where she currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors, sits on the Grants Committee, and helps steer the MarketBeat Open Professional Tennis Tournament.

 

Her extraordinary dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2011 USTA National Family of the Year award, the 2017 National Tennis Advocate of the Year award, the 2019 USTA Northern Wolfenson–Ratner Community Service Award, induction into the South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame in 2021, and the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award."

 

 

 

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. 

 

Joe Sawatzke (Sioux Falls, SD)

 

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.

 

Whitney Hanley (Rapid City, SD)

 

 

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.

 

McKenzie Family (Sioux Falls, SD)

 

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.

 

Beth Soberg (Twin Cities, MN)

 

 

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.

 

Robin Coverdale (Twin Cities, MN) 

 

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.

 

Jan Prihoda (Twin Cities, MN) 

 

 

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.

 

Raheem Simmons (Twin Cities, MN)

 

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.

 

Valley City Tennis Association (Valley City, ND)

 

Bob Larson Media Excellence Award

The Bob Larson Media Excellence Award, named after longtime Tennis Midwest and Daily Tennis Editor Bob Larson from Edina, Minn., recognizes a person/organization that has provided exemplary tennis coverage for the local community. The person/organization acts as a promoter or communicator covering Northern tennis activities, news, and insights demonstrating excellence in informing and raising awareness of tennis in our section

Sheri Brenden (Twin Cities, MN)

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