Eight advocates for the sport of tennis at the grassroots and local levels were honored with seven awards at the 2023 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
WATCH: Bonnie Vandegrift wins USTA League Volunteer Award
Bonnie Vandegrift of Asheville, N.C. was honored with the USTA League Volunteer Award at the 2023 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference for her outstanding commitment to the success of the USTA League program, the country's largest recreational tennis league.
Since moving to North Carolina 30 years ago, Vandegrift has been a force for tennis.
Vandegrift began playing tennis in Columbia, S.C. and quickly became an avid league and tournament player. She began her volunteer service at her local club, helping to run junior and adult tournaments, before she and her husband, Mike, purchased the Brevard Racquet Club when the family moved to Brevard, N.C. in 1994. Because there was no active league program in western North Carolina, Vandegrift started the local league and served as its coordinator for nine years. She was instrumental in starting the local CTA in Transylvania County, and chaired several committees in the North Carolina Tennis Association, later becoming president.
Her exceptional talent and work with North Carolina lead her to become involved with USTA Southern section, where again she served on several committees, chaired the USTA League committee, and rose to president of the Southern Board of Directors in 2019 after 16 years in leadership. She also served as chair of the Southern league program for several years.
Photo by Cameraworks USA/USTA.
While serving as Southern president, she was also a member of the Section Presidents Committee. Vandegrift is currently the USTA Section Delegate representing USTA Southern, and as such, represents Southern in all voting matters before the USTA. She also remains active in the local CTA in Asheville, and also mentors future leaders.
Nationally, Vandegrift was one of the early supporters of USTA League tennis and has gone on to be recognized nationally as an expert in leagues. She served on the USTA League committee for 12 years, four as vice chair and four as chair, and also chaired the USTA Adult Council and was a member of the Advisory Group on Committees.
“Bonnie truly exemplifies what the National League Volunteer Award is all about with her years of leadership, passion and significant contributions to the growth and enhancement of USTA Leagues at the local and national level," Craig Morris, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA, said. “With dedicated volunteers like Bonnie the future of tennis in North Carolina will continue to grow. She is truly deserving of this recognition.”
Today, USTA League provides play opportunities for hundreds of thousands of adult participants. USTA League is the country's largest recreational tennis league, helping players nationwide enjoy the thrill of competition while making friends, improving skills and staying active. USTA League offers several league programs throughout the year that vary by gender, age and skill level divisions. Division formats also vary by offering singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The USTA League Volunteer Award, established in 2015, recognizes and honors the many volunteers who have provided leadership and have made significant contributions to the growth and enhancement of USTA Leagues, both in their section and nationally.
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