USTA EASTERN CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

In honor of Women’s History Month, USTA Eastern would like to recognize four women who have significantly contributed to tennis throughout the section.

Becky Jackson

• Organizes several after school programs for youth in Syracuse, N.Y.

• In her work with the after school programs, she finds instructors, organizes all logistics for the programs and promotes them to kids, while connecting the programs to local facilities, as well as teaching professionals

• Collaborates with the City of Syracuse School District, City of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department and local community-based organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse

• Dedicated to and passionate about providing play opportunities to youth throughout Syracuse, N.Y., and has been for several years

• Served on the Eastern Volunteer Committee and Western Region Board of Directors

• Active with Central New York Tennis Association (CNYTA)

• Received Eastern’s 2012 Western Region Volunteer of the Year Award 

Jenny Schnitzer

• Current Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of USTA Eastern, where she oversees all departments and provides training, supervision and support to all section staff

• Staff member of USTA Eastern for the past 25 years

• Was part of the women’s tennis team at St. John’s University as a scholarship player

• Recently inducted into the New York City Sports Foundation Hall of Fame

• Currently teaches Youth Tennis at MatchPoint Tennis in Goshen, N.Y.

• Her incredible commitment to tennis is evident, as she has introduced and developed the game for more than 20 years 

Eileen Leonard

• Active volunteer in the Long Island tennis community, and has officiated at junior and adult tournaments throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties for several years

• On the professional level, she has officiated at Wimbledon and in Japan, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, as well as at the Fed Cup and Davis Cup

• Has been Chief Umpire for women's championships at Madison Square Garden, and a referee for Eastern Masters, Sears and Addie Cups, several Challengers and WTA events, among others

• Past President of the Eastern Tennis Umpires Association and now serves as Treasurer

• Former Member of Eastern’s Junior Competition Committee

• Recently received Eastern’s 2016 Umpire Service Award for her dedication to officiating

Joanna Nieh

• Junior wheelchair player currently ranked No. 10 in the world

• Freshman at Beacon High School in Manhattan who competes in Junior Team Tennis and USTA tournaments

• Through her success and determination, she is a role model for young wheelchair athletes looking to try tennis