Family, tradition, achievement shine at 2025 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference

Tennis—the World’s Healthiest Sport—was celebrated in style throughout the USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference. The 2025 rendition of the conference was back at the Olathe Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, and took place Dec. 4-6.

The festivities culminated with three standout contributors to the sport of tennis—Sam Fotopoulos, Nathan Price and David Steinmeyer—being inducted as the 148th, 149th and 150th members of the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. More than 200 individuals were on hand to celebrate the Class of 2025 and USTA Missouri Valley award recipients.

A total of 29 awards were given out to players, providers, facilities and leaders recognizing excellence on and off the court. That included nine junior sportsmanship award winners and high school coach Doug Smith receiving the Distinguished Service Award, a recognition he called “the capper” on a legendary career. Brenton Kuchera was selected for the President’s Award by USTA Missouri Valley President Beth Causey.

Additionally, the 2025 USTA Missouri Valley end of year video was played, highlighting some of the best sights and sounds from this year’s numerous tennis events. Videos for the Hall of Fame inductees can be viewed here. Several well-known tennis personalities congratulated Fotopoulos in his video, and after Price’s video was played, Roger Federer made a surprise cameo with a recorded congratulatory message.

Learning and Connection

The annual conference kicked off Dec. 4 with trainings and a discussion between Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director, and Perren Wong, USTA Board of Directors member.

Attendees then tried their hand at Red Ball Tennis during the Rockin’ Red Ball Rally & Social, showcasing that the sport can be played anywhere.

Craig Morris got Friday’s busy slate rolling by detailing the launch and subsequent success of the all-new USTA Coaching enterprise.

Individuals learned more about engaging and growing their volunteer base as well as USTA’s Tennis Venue Services grant funding at breakout sessions. And a panel of national and section experts discussed the benefits of implementing electronic line calling at facilities.