Missouri Valley

USTA Missouri Valley features strong volunteer representation at national level

Josh Sellmeyer | March 17, 2025

(Left to Right): Alex Lee, Mallory Weber, Lisa Minihan, Beth Causey, Scott Hanover, Mary Buschmann, Larry Newton

Nineteen volunteers hailing from the United States Tennis Association Missouri Valley have been appointed to serve on a USTA National committee, including four individuals tabbed to serve as chair or vice chair at the national level.

For the 2025-26 term, Lisa Minihan (USTA Oklahoma) was named chair of the Nominating Committee, Larry Newton (USTA Nebraska) was appointed chair of the Local Play and Competition Committee, and Mallory Weber (USTA Missouri) was chosen as chair of the Public Parks Committee.

Additionally, Scott Hanover (USTA Heart of America) was selected as vice chair of the Volunteer Management Council. An additional 15 individuals from USTA Missouri Valley were pegged for national committee service (full list is below). And Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director, will serve as section executive director liaison to the League Committee and Community Tennis Devolpment Workshop Task Force.

“It’s amazing we are here in the heart of America, and we’ve got all this talent at the national level,” said Beth Causey, president of the USTA Missouri Valley Board of Directors. “The USTA is lucky to have these individuals in these positions. They’re going to bring so much on a national level, a section level and a district level for everybody. Very proud to have them on there, and very proud that they’re from Missouri Valley.”

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Lisa Minihan, general manager of USTA Premier Facility Edmond Center Court, and her Nominating Committee recruit future members of the USTA Board of Directors as well as the ensuing Nominating Committee. Minihan’s team creates the application, interview questions and analytical tools used to assess and determine the most qualified candidates for the slate.

“Volunteering for the USTA has become an integral part of my life,” Minihan said. “I can’t imagine not being a part of the USTA family and the work it is doing for the sport of tennis. … While the Nominating Committee and serving as its chair is an enormous chunk of time commitment and energy, I was able to see firsthand on the committee last year the impact it has. If I am volunteering, I want to roll up my sleeves, get to work and make a difference.”

Larry Newton, a 2022 USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame inductee, said the objectives for his committee include researching growth and retention within the U.S. for junior tennis players participating in tournaments and programming. The committee also promotes and pilots new junior programs as well as updates national regulations for junior competition at the local level.

Lisa Minihan, Nominating Committee chair

Larry Newton, Local Play and Competition chair

Mallory Weber, Public Parks chair

Scott Hanover, Volunteer Management Council vice chair

Lisa Minihan, Nominating Committee chair
Larry Newton, Local Play and Competition chair
Mallory Weber, Public Parks chair
Scott Hanover, Volunteer Management Council vice chair

“I have always had an interest in providing opportunities for those new to the game of tennis,” Newton said. “USTA Missouri Valley provides great support for the national volunteers, whether it is top-rated instruction and training or financial support with travel expenses.”

Mallory Weber, vice president of the USTA Missouri Valley Board of Directors, said her 14-member Public Parks Committee will focus on contributing to the USTA’s growth strategy of increasing the number of Americans playing tennis to 35 million by 2035.

“I love being able to promote the game of tennis,” Weber said. “I am fortunate I get to do this in my full-time role at Cooper Tennis Complex, and now I get to do this in a volunteer capacity through the Public Parks Committee. It is so important that tennis is for all, and a great way to provide programming is in public parks.”

Weber said the Public Parks Committee has identified three main goals for the 2025-26 term, one of which is highlighting success stories in the USTA CTA/Parks newsletter and USTA Parks website. The committee will also create assessments for USTA sections to advance play in cooperation with their local parks departments. And the committee will work hand in hand with USTA partners—like the NRPA—to ensure tennis has a presence at parks conferences.

Scott Hanover, a 2021 USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame inductee, said his all-new Volunteer Management Council is tasked with reimagining the USTA’s national volunteer system so it is “more impactful, flexible, engaging and diverse.” Hanover was honored to be selected as vice chair and is looking forward to sharing his insights as a longtime volunteer.

“I’m so proud of Lisa, Larry and Mallory serving in leadership roles this term,” Hanover said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and can-do approach of our section leaders. I’m rooting for them to have some great successes.”

Causey—likewise a longtime tennis volunteer—said volunteerism at the district, section or national level pushes individuals to “get out of their comfort zone,” leading to personal growth. Weber credited the 19 volunteers representing USTA Missouri Valley nationally for their time and effort in growing the game.

“It’s a tribute to the strength and dedication of the Missouri Valley,” Weber said. “We have so many passionate people who want to share their love of the sport, as well as other skills, that will not only benefit our local players but will also help to enact change and growth on the national scale.”

Minihan has enjoyed seeing the influx of USTA Missouri Valley representation at the national level from the time she initially began volunteering. She said these individuals can serve as advocates for USTA Missouri Valley at national meetings and bring back valuable information, resources and energy to local programs and communities within the section. She encouraged individuals to consider getting involved at the section and national levels.

“Not only do you get to make an impact for the sport you love, the personal benefits are also significant,” Minihan said. “You are able to stretch and grow as a person and leader. You also get to meet so many wonderful people from all across our country. It truly expands your community, and I believe letting more people in our lives from different backgrounds and geographies helps us broaden our perspective, learn empathy and become better humans.”

USTA National Committee Chairs/Vice Chairs

Scott Hanover (USTA Heart of America) — Volunteer Management Council vice chair

Lisa Minihan (USTA Oklahoma) — Nominating Committee chair

Larry Newton (USTA Nebraska) — Local Play and Competition chair

Mallory Weber (USTA Missouri) — Public Parks chair

USTA National Committee Members

Carmen Bond (USTA Oklahoma) — Wheelchair

Elizabeth Deerinwater (USTA Heart of America) — Task Force: Coaches

Deborah Fabrizius (USTA Heart of America) — League

Rebecca Falkner Axelrod (USTA Heart of America) — Adaptive Tennis

Kate Foss (USTA Kansas) — Advocacy

Stephen Gerdes (USTA Nebraska) — Constitution & Rules

Kimberly Y. Hughes Gill (USTA St. Louis) — Community Tennis Association

Tracey Johnson (USTA Heart of America) — Officials

Melissa McCorkle (USTA Oklahoma) — Adult Competition

Simon Norman (USTA Kansas) — Junior Competition

Kim Reser (USTA Missouri) — Advocacy

Caitlyn Sagraves (USTA Oklahoma) — Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Stacie Turtledove (USTA Heart of America) — Sportsmanship

Jared Ward (USTA Heart of America) — Task Force: Coaches

Verne Weber (USTA Nebraska) — Officials

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