Helen Bohlen Jeter posthumously recognized with League Volunteer Award

Helen Bohlen Jeter of Greer, S.C., was honored posthumously with the USTA League Volunteer Award. The 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. Bohlen Jeter's legacy was honored at the USTA Annual Meeting & Conference in Carlsbad, Calif.

Helen Jeter was born in Charleston, S. C., but it wasn’t until she moved to Norcross, Ga., that she fell in love with the game of tennis. She started her tennis career as a league tennis player and team captain in the Atlanta area, and volunteered as a team mother for two different junior teams. In 1986, she moved to Greenville, where she continued to contribute to tennis as a player and volunteer. Helen became a board member of the Upper Piedmont Tennis Association, and the next year became the UPTA Local League Coordinator. She continued in this capacity until 1991, when she became the District League Coordinator of South Carolina, all as a volunteer.

She received several awards for her service, including the Lucy Garvin Volunteer of the Year Award, and was a four-time recipient of the President's Award. In 2007, she was inducted into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. In September 2014, USTA South Carolina named an award given each year to an outstanding volunteer the "Helen Jeter Volunteer of the Year Award." In the Southern region, she received the President's Recognition Award and the Gerrie Rothwell Award and was a two-time recipient of the District Volunteer Service Award. In 2009, she received the Jacobs Bowl Award, which is presented to a volunteer who has shown outstanding service to the USTA Southern Section. At the National level, she served on various committees and was well-respected as one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated adult league volunteers in the entire country.

Jeter was married to Charles Jeter, and they had 3 children.

“Helen dedicated so much of her life to this sport, and she truly embodies what the National League Volunteer Award represents,” said Brian Vahaly, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “Her leadership and contributions have helped shape USTA League tennis both locally and nationally. Many of her ideas live on today through enhancements to the program and tournaments that are now part of our National Championships—her impact will be felt for years to come.”

Today, USTA League provides play opportunities for hundreds of thousands of adult participants. It 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.