USTA unveils winners of the 2025 Umpire Awards

Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. Award - Shirley Damiano (Eastern), Syracuse, N.Y.

This award recognizes a long-standing tennis official who best exemplifies ‘Commitment, Accountability, Responsibility, and Excellence’—qualities that legendary official Phyllis “Woodie” 

Walker represented during her decades of leadership in the field. Damiano has dedicated more than 45 years to officiating at all levels, and has been recognized as one of the profession’s preeminent mentors. She was also a head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Le Moyne College in Syracuse for 25 years and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2002.

In their own words: “I always felt that it made me a better player, becoming an official, to see both sides of the competition. It just was a joy for me to be involved early on with officiating. It helped me to be a better person, I think, trying to help others.”

John T. McGovern Award - Darren Potkey (Southern), Powder Springs, Ga.

Given to a USTA-certified official with at least 10 years of service, the John T. McGovern Award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to tennis officiating. 

Potkey is a Silver Badge Referee and has been at the forefront of officiating in the U.S. for more than 30 years. Currently the Executive Director of USTA Georgia and the Georgia Tennis Foundation, and previously the director of junior competition at USTA SoCal, Potkey has been honored for his many contributions to the game throughout his career and is well-known for his genuine, supportive and diligent approach.

In their own words: “I've always said with officiating, if you truly want to be part of a team—which means celebrating other people's successes more than your own—there's a spot for you. It's our job to make sure there's spots for folks like that. And you won't meet a group of people that have higher integrity and dedication to the game than tennis officials.”