Sally Baird: Hall of Fame Inductee

Since that time, Baird has been a stalwart in the USTA Middle States community, contributing to the growth of the USTA League tennis program on a regular basis. She was a full-time staff member, directing Leagues at the section level, until 2019.

“When I think about Sally, I think of someone who has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience, and such a commitment to everything she does,” said USTA Middle States Executive Director and CEO, Ben Zislis. “Sally truly is USTA League in Middle States. So much of what that program was and has become is due to her work.”

Former staff member and current volunteer, Kitty Perrin, echoed the same thoughts.

"I’ve been to many trainings, conferences and events in my time with USTA,” Perrin said. “There is not another person in the country that has done as great a job as Sally Baird.”

After spending her childhood in Philadelphia, Baird moved to Southampton, Pa. in the 1960s. She discovered tennis at Maplewood Swim Club in the early 1970s, learning the sport and all it had to offer. Her interest in tennis eventually led her to play indoors at Mill Creek Racquet & Swim, where she connected with the Perrin family. That’s when she discovered USTA.

"When I owned Mill Creek Racquet & Swim back in 1987, Sally and a bunch of ladies from her neighborhood came to the club," Perrin said. "We put her on a 2.5 League team, and they went to Nationals their first year. She loved playing with her friends from her neighborhood and from that, the rest is history."

Baird didn’t realize the USTA League would be a consistent part of her life for many years to come.

Once becoming a USTA coordinator, Baird quickly became a staple in the League space, working closely with captains, players and facility operators to ensure the program was up and running and growing. As she got more and more into the role, public interest in USTA League skyrocketed, eventually becoming the country’s largest recreational adult tennis league.

Even after retiring from her full-time work as a Section League Coordinator, Baird continues to help Middle States out in a major way. In addition to her position as an Area League Coordinator, she’s taken an active role in training staff and assisting other districts with their leagues. During times of transition, Baird has — on multiple occasions — taken over as temporary Section League Coordinator. 

“Sally is always there to help us out in basically any situation,” Zislis said. “I cannot say this enough times: her name is synonymous with the growth of our League program and the success we’ve had in making that program so strong. In the 20-plus years I’ve known Sally, I’ve seen the League program expand and grow and evolve constantly. Because of her involvement, the program has thrived and continued to improve, and she continues to look to help us in any and every way she can.”

Baird’s involvement and dedication in USTA as a whole has been apparent, even earning her the Middle States Presidential Service Award in 2022. She will be sorely missed by staff, players and local providers as she plans to fully retire at the end of 2024. 

“I’m thankful for the people I work with and have worked with,” Baird said. “I’ve always appreciated my time with this organization. It’s meant a lot to me over the years.”