USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame: Scott Hanover

Scott Hanover’s love of tennis is contagious to those around him. His closest friends and colleagues over the years agree that his dedication to the great sport of tennis makes him more than deserving of induction into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame for 2021. 

Hanover has been the “heart and soul” of tennis in the USTA Missouri Valley and USTA Heart of America for many years, but his tireless work in tennis began in Iowa. His start in tennis began as a junior player in Des Moines with the USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning Program. He was just 12-years old, but Hanover knew immediately that tennis was special and that he needed to give back to the game that had given him so much.

“I think the reason I stayed so connected with tennis early on was I just felt such a passion for it, and even at a young age, even in college I decided that I should probably give back to this game in some way,” he said. 

So began nearly three-decades of involvement with the USTA, probably best-known for his 23 year tenure as Director of Tennis for the Plaza Tennis Center. It’s hard to identify in which ways Hanover has made the most impact, because he has touched almost every aspect of the game with his work - and his play. 

“He's just touched tennis in every way, as a player, as a coach, as a teacher, as an organizer of tournaments, as an official. And then of course as a volunteer leader, so he's touched it in many, many ways,” said Susan True, who has served with Hanover on the USTA Missouri Valley Board of Directors and Awards Committee. 

Hanover helped found the USTA Heart of America Hall of Fame in 1999, and has served on the Hall of Fame committee ever since. He has served on the USTA Missouri Valley Executive Committee in some capacity since 2002: Vice President (2002-2006), Secretary (2007-2008), First Vice President (2009-2010), President (2011-2014), Delegate, Immediate Past President (2015-2016). He has also served on National committees - he has served as the Chair of the USTA Community Development Committee for two terms from 2005-2006 and 2007-2008, he was also the Chair on the USTA Tennis in the Parks committee in 2009 and is currently Vice Chair of the USTA National Competition Pathway. 

His prowess as a tournament director is also unmatched. In 2018, Hanover was a tournament director of 44 tournaments - a tremendous feat - and a record. The dedication to put on quality play opportunities within USTA Heart of America and USTA Missouri Valley is something that is admired by many.

As a player, Hanover has been a No. 1 player in USTA Missouri Valley at NTRP 4.0. But more than that - you can also count on Hanover-captained teams to be well run and dedicated to sportsmanship and playing well. He has captained numerous teams that have gone on to play in the World TeamTennis Nationals, winning four titles, as well as four teams that have gone to USTA Adult League National Championships - including a Men’s 55 & Over team this year - and one team that went to Tri-Level Nationals in 2018.

But what makes Hanover most special is kindness. Shelley George has served on the section board of directors and committees with Hanover and also worked alongside him in Iowa. She said everything he does in giving back to tennis is inspiring because of the way he carries himself each day.

To this day, Hanover continues to give back to the game that has given him so much. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Stephanie Waterman Foundation and the Director of Tournaments and Outreach for the Overland Park Racquet Club, as well as being the head tennis coach at Pembroke Hill High School.

For a man who has dedicated his life to the game of tennis and helping others get as much out of it as he has, there is no higher honor than being inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

“It is truly humbling and such an honor to be inducted into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. I really appreciate the history of tennis, not just at the professional level, but the community tennis, and everything that we've done as a section,” Hanover said. 

To honor Scott and the rest of our 2021 award winners, please click here to register for the 2021 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference.