USTA Nebraska 2022 Year in Review

Take a look back at the top tennis stories from last year throughout the state of Nebraska!

January

USTA Nebraska welcomed a new president, Mike Willman of Fremont. As an avid tennis player, he hopes to spend his term growing the game of tennis and providing more opportunities for people of all levels.

Husker tennis player Patrick Cacciatore started up a podcast that focuses on athletes and mental health issues. Each week he invites different guests to talk about the importance of mental health, especially among athletes.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/nebraska-tennis-player-raises-awareness-for-mental-health-strugg.html

February

The new Ernest Grundy Tennis Center in Kearney was unveiled. The $9 million tennis facility has six courts for the public and college players to utilize. This new building was funded by one large gift and several other generous donations and grants.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/ernest-grundy-tennis-center-set-to-open-in-march.html

March

Former Husker tennis player Lisa Hart returns to Lincoln as the Associate Head Coach under Scott Jacobson at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is looking forward to her new role and coaching and mentoring players.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/lisa-hart-aims-to-inspire-women-through-coaching.html

April

Ukrainian native Michael Ivashchenko volunteers at the Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln, while his family and friends are under siege in Ukraine. The Fulbright Scholar talks about what it’s like to be away from his family during this difficult time.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/ukrainian-michael-ivaschenko-finds-a-community-in-lincoln.html?fbclid=IwAR2SFBOZuYhdDZvFtuV51Z2eGzF4CcRKWky65SbG2U8gt4Bip9cmvXcRzu4

May

Lincoln’s Kevin Heim and Lily Lautenschlager represent Nebraska at the World Team Cup in Portugal. Both were excited to represent Nebraska and the United States at this event.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/kevin-heim-and-lily-lautenschlager-represent-nebraska-at-world-t.html

June

For Pride Month, USTA Nebraska featured Tammie Kennedy, a 4.0-rated player who is also a college professor. She said tennis opened up a whole new world for her, which provides fitness and community.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/kennedy-finds-community-through-tennis.html

July

The Fred Johnson ALL Stars event was held in Omaha with around 50 athletes and many volunteers. The fun competition is an event for athletes with intellectual/cognitive disabilities. USTA Nebraska has hosted this event for more than 10 years.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/fred-johnson-all-stars-event-returned-in-style-in-2022.html#tab=tournaments

August

Men’s tennis will return to the University of Nebraska at Kearney for the 2023-2024 season, thanks to an anonymous donor. The program was cut in 2018 as a result of budget cuts. Women’s coach Scott Shafer will coach the men’s team, as well as the women’s.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/tennis-to-return-to-university-of-nebraska-kearney-in-2023.html#tab=tournaments

September

Phil Wolfe started up the Tennis Buddies program in Lincoln in 2008. After 14 years, he is stepping down, but the program will continue.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/phil-wolfe-made-impact-in-lincoln-with-tennis-buddies-program.html#tab=tournaments

October

Class A’s Lincoln East boys’ tennis team wins the state title again, this time without dropping a match all season long. Meanwhile in Class B tennis, a new team takes the state title.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/nebraska-boys-state-tennis-championships.html

November

Lincoln’s Kevin Heim is inducted into the USTA Nebraska Hall of Fame. Find out how Heim has contributed to the tennis community during the past 14 years and how he’s built up the Woods Tennis Center.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/nebraska/kevin-heim-inducted-into-usta-nebraska-hall-of-fame.html

December

Omaha’s Larry Newton spent the past 36 volunteering in the local tennis community. Prior to that he was a tennis instructor, but has a passion for giving back to the community. For that and many other reasons, he was inducted into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame.

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/hall-of-fame--larry-newton.html#tab=tournaments