Huitt earns a Gold Star for his work behind the scenes

Huitt first took up tennis in 1974 during his enlistment in the Marine Corps. He was mostly self-taught and learned what not to do while playing wiser opponents. This sparked a love of the sport, which grew despite a lack of access to teaching pros. Huitt transferred to the Navy in 1980 and became a Corpsman. That change turned out to be significant.

“The Navy allowed me to play tournaments under the support of the Navy, to which I am thankful,” Huitt said. “This is also where I began teaching the sport to anyone that had an interest.”

He continued to play and coach after retiring in 1995. He also started officiating and worked to launch two JTT teams. After living and working in Pensacola, Florida, for a while he returned to the Midwest and reconnected with USTA Missouri Valley.

“I am extremely proud to serve with such great board and committee members,” Huitt said. “I am proud to be a member of such an important factor of the sport of tennis. I have seen appeals submitted from athletes that have the willingness and drive to remain part of this sport we all enjoy being a part of. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.”

The USTA community is grateful for Huitt.

“He is on one of my league committees and he is very attentive and thorough in his evaluations,” Alyssa Stelmach, USTA Missouri Valley Manager of Adult Leagues, said. “His many years of tennis experience allow him to review every situation with a fresh look and come out with decisions that are best for the player and the league program as a whole. He is definitely an asset to my committee.”

That committee work is very important to Huitt and he takes it very seriously.

“In my position on this committee the last thing I want to do is deny an appeal because it may cause an athlete to stop playing the sport, and that is not the end result I’m looking for,” he said. “Something that I am proud of is lighting the fire on some people about the sport of tennis. I am proud of every person that I brought into the sport of tennis and I hope they enjoy it as much as I do."