Don Willsie, Class of 2016

The mainstay of tennis umpiring in southern Colorado, Lt. Col. Don Willsie, US Air Force, retired, began officiating at the Lynmar Racquet Club and The Broadmoor Hotel beginning in 1976.

Since that time, Don has also directed and organized umpiring operations for tournaments and college and high school matches in southern Colorado, and has trained dozens of new umpires for the USTA.

In addition, Don served as the director of junior development for the Southern Colorado Tennis Association for several years. In 2013, he received the USTA Nicholas E. Powel Award at the US Open in recognition of the importance of officiating at the local level.