2025 USTA Southern Award Winners
USTA Southern announced today the recipients of its 2025 awards, given for outstanding achievements in tennis both on and off the court.
Candidates were nominated by USTA staff and volunteers in the section’s nine states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The winners were then selected from among the nominees by volunteer members of the USTA Southern Awards Committee and other committees that have expertise in the award category.
North Carolina led all states with seven awards, while Georgia had six winners and South Carolina had four. Three cities had two winners: Atlanta, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Knoxville, Tenn.
Recipients are schedule to receive their awards at the J. Randolph Gregson Awards Ceremony & Luncheon during the USTA Southern Annual Meeting on Jan. 24, 2026, in Atlanta.
For a complete list of all USTA Southern award recipients since 1985, click here.
ADAPTIVE TENNIS AWARD: Courtney Colton; Nashville, Tenn.
ADULT TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR: Chapel Hill Tennis Club Fall Classic; Chapel Hill, N.C.
COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR: Asheville Tennis Association; Asheville, N.C.
DEWITT REDGRAVE III JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Noah Johnston; Anderson, S.C.
Carlota Moreno; Knoxville, Tenn.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION CHAMPION: Beth Hopkins; Winston-Salem, N.C.
EDUCATIONAL MERIT AWARD: Jerry and Dorcel Edmonds; Henderson, N.C.
GERRIE ROTHWELL LEAGUE AWARD: Jenifer Tucker; Fayetteville, Ark.
JIM RUSSELL JUNIOR TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR: Girls 12s National Clay Court; Greensboro, N.C.
JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR: Robert Brown; Townsend, Ga.
LOCAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR: Patsy Bendall; Kathleen, Ga.
MAC MACDOUGAL TENNIS OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR: Ashley Dalton; Lawrenceville, Ga.
MARC KAPLAN MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD: Ernest Bowker; Brandon, Miss.
MARILYN SHERMAN SPIRIT AWARD: Rena Scofield; Montgomery, Ala.
MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Legacy Racquet and Fitness; Mountain Home, Ark.
MICKEY MCNULTY FAMILY OF THE YEAR: The Barth Family; Kiawah Island, S.C.
NJTL CHAPTER OF THE YEAR: A’s & Aces; New Orleans
NO-CUT COACH STARFISH AWARD: Jamie Roberts; Mooreville, Miss.
OUTSTANDING PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: Town of Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources; Apex, N.C.
OZAKI-HASTINGS JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Zachary Szymanski; Locust Grove, Ga.
SLEW HESTER ADULT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Michelle Williams; Knoxville, Tenn.
Matthew Hane; John’s Island, S.C.
SOUTHERN TENNIS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: Barry Quinn; Charleston, S.C.
SPECIAL TENNIS EVENT OF THE YEAR: Lee Joyner Memorial Tennis Classic; Jackson, Miss.
TEAM TENNIS EVENT OF THE YEAR: Second Annual Bella's Open; Baton Rouge, La.
TENNIS ON CAMPUS CLUB OF THE YEAR: Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta
TENNIS ON CAMPUS LEADER(S) OF THE YEAR: Lauren Kranis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, N.C.
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS EXCELLENCE AWARD: Rob Popelka; Atlanta
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