Allen Kiel, Class of 2008

Allen began playing tennis in high school, later competing for two years on the tennis team at DePaul University, and then finishing his collegiate career at the University of Northern Colorado, where he remained undefeated in conference play.

He owned and operated tennis clubs in his native Chicago, teaching players of all ages and abilities, including former No. 2 in the world, Andrea Jaeger.

Allen co-wrote the first USPTA certification test, and in 1974, was one of seven USPTA professionals who helped develop and pilot the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP), used for all USTA league play.

As a USTA volunteer, Allen has served the Colorado tennis community in many significant ways over the decades – as vice president of USTA Colorado, president of the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation and president of USTA Intermountain. Allen also helped spearhead the creation and implementation of Touch Tone Tennis, the predecessor of TennisLink, which revolutionized the way players registered for USTA leagues and tournaments.

He has been a member of numerous USTA committees, assisting in numerous initiatives focused on creating new opportunities for players, minorities and volunteers.