2021 Annual Conference Recap

The 2021 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference, hosted December 3-4, was our first chance since 2019 to get back together with some familiar faces. The Olathe Conference Center hosted the event and provided a memorable experience for all attendees.

The conference culminated on night two with the unveiling of the 2021 USTA Missouri Valley Highlights Video. This year-end video highlighted the weekend's overarching theme of togetherness.

The conference began at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 3 with the Meeting of the Association and Open Board Meeting. The USTA Missouri Valley committees and districts shared their 2021 highlights and key initiatives for 2022 and President Jason Mathes and Executive Director Mary Buschmann gave their official reports. 

Friday's festivities culminated with a Welcome Reception, allowing guests to socialize over food and drinks. Video and photo montages from 2020 were displayed around the room to help make up for what was lost at last year's virtual conference.

Saturday morning kicked off with a General Session: State of the Union Address, highlighted by an appearance and speech by National Board Member Violet Clark. Then came multiple committee meetings, including the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Outreach Committee that featured a virtual presentation by Marisa Grimes, National Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

The conference continued at 11:30 a.m., with the Hall of Fame Induction, emceed by President Jason Mathes, and Awards Celebration emceed by one of the newest Hall of Fame members, Scott Hanover.

Scott Hanover, Al Penelton and Tara Snyder were proudly inducted into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. Congratulations to these three for this incredible tennis accomplishment!

A highlight of the event was when the 30 USTA Missouri Valley 2021 Award Winners were recognized during the program. Nebraska's Larry Newton also received a special surprise when he was informed that he was named Racquet Sports Industry's 2021 Champion of Youth Tennis. He will be featured in their January issue.

The final surprise of the afternoon came with the announcement of the 2021 President's Award winner. Mathes got the opportunity to give the award to his close friend and mentor Mary Vassar, who recently retired after more than 25 years of service, in a special moment for both of them.

USTA Missouri Valley is grateful for all of those who’ve supported the section through the year and looks forward to what 2022 has in store.

Please click here to see the full photo gallery from the weekend.