Texas

USTA Texas Community Service Award

2026 Community Service Award Winner, Kalisha Lee

Established in 1989, the USTA Texas Community Service Award recognizes a volunteer tennis leader who has provided outstanding contributions in promoting and conducting recreational tennis programs. It signifies the vital importance of recreational play. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Award, when applicable.

  • Must reside within the boundaries of USTA Texas.
  • Must have at least four (4) consecutive years of fieldwork in their tennis community.
  • Plays a significant role in community-based tennis programs or organizations (i.e., CTA, schools, NJTL).
  • Actively involved with other community service or recreational organizations (i.e., YMCA, Senior Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, Special Olympics).
  • Demonstrates creativity and innovation in their tennis programs.
  • Serves as a source of inspiration and motivation to members/participants.
  • Affiliated with the USTA at a local, section, and/or national level.

2026

  • Nomination Period: November 1-21, 2025
  • Notification Period: December 15-19, 2025
  • Awards Luncheon: February 7, 2026

Nominations open annually on the first day of November and close the Friday before Thanksgiving. Selection Committees review nominations and select winners during the first two weeks of December. Submitters are notified about the status of their nomination and winners are contacted the third week of December. Winners are honored and awards are presented at the USTA Texas Awards Luncheon the second Saturday in February.

2026 Kalisha Lee, Weatherford

2025 Grant Chambers, Austin

2024 Robert Cavazos, Laredo

2023 Claire McFerran, Eddy

2022 Kyle Gordon, San Antonio

2020 Phillippa Nierling, Dallas

2019 Harold Graham, Houston

2018 Marcus Reese, Taylor

2017 Eric Huntley, Lubbock

         Rocky Walker, Weatherford

2016 Bruce Sampley, Fort Worth

2015 Janel Woerner, Boerne

2014 Claude Guidroz, Beaumont

          Sheryl Osborn, Arlington

2013 Teresa Risley, Colleyville

2012 Claire Harrison, Arlington

2011 Lincoln Ward, Austin

2010 Emily Coxe, Beaumont

2009 Bev Taylor, Houston

2008 Randy Ortwein, Houston

          Kavin Clark, Austin

2007 Sheila McInnis, Bridge City

          Ona Lee Johnson, Amarillo

2006 Peggy Tice, Cedar Park

2005 Sam Hopkins, Jacksonville

2004 Jane Hammond, Waco

2003 Sarah Pernell, Austin

2002 Simon Menchaca, Houston

2001 Bob Cornell, Midland

2000 John and Jane Gilpin, Dallas

1999 Karen Crumpton, Jefferson

1998 Kevin Foster, Waco

1997 Rita White, Dallas

1996 Becky Roberts, San Antonio

1995 Marcia Rodriguez, Arlington

1994 Duke Williams, Abilene

1993 Chuck Sanchelli, Strafford

1992 Karen Tedder, San Antonio

1991 Larry Kirkpatrick, Dallas

1990 John Mozola, Amarillo

1989 Ann Brooks, Lancaster

         Al Theodore, San Antonio


The USTA Texas Awards Committee is responsible for this award. For questions or assistance, please contact the committee's staff liaison, Ainsley W. Keller.

 

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