AUSTIN, TX- USTA New England Past President, Gary Pina, was celebrated on March 23 at USTA’s Annual Meeting in Austin, TX. Pina, USTANE’s longest tenured President & CEO (2010-2014), was one of eight longtime tennis contributors inducted into the prestigious Major Wingfield Society.

“This is a great honor. These people have all contributed something unique to USTA tennis over their lifetime, and they keep going even today, so it’s nice being recognized with a bunch of doers,” Pina said.

USTA Past President Stan Malless formed the society in 1976 in honor of Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, the founder of modern lawn tennis. The society recognizes individuals who, over their lifetime, have made a significant contribution to USTA at the national level.

For the past 30 years, Pina’s livelihood has been tennis. ADVERTISEMENT Currently, he and his wife Karen run the Marshfield Tennis Academy, and prior, he worked as a high school, college and personal coach. Pina also has and continues to dedicate his time to serving on a number of USTA New England and national committees.

He began his relationship with USTA National 20 years ago by joining the Multicultural Program Committee (D&I Committee today) as one of its first members, and from there, he served on the Nominating Committee, Junior Team Tennis Committee, Schools Committee, and he currently sits on the High School Committee.

Pina’s passion for volunteering stems from his love of teaching tennis to kids. He co-founded a USTA program called Adopt-a-School, which prior to Net Generation, gave PE teachers the opportunity to teach tennis properly in school.  

“One of the reasons I got involved in the first place was to see what I could do to further grow tennis in New England, and for me, schools were the way to do that,” Pina said. “It’s a passion for me, getting kids to play and finding new ways to get involved. I enjoyed showing them they could play tennis inside a gym, or really anywhere, and they don’t need a court.”

Pina will be celebrating his 21^st year serving by sitting on the High School Committee, which he recently joined.

“This committee means a lot to me. I want to move it forward with high school and middle school kids and make them aware of what’s up there for them to improve their game,” he added.

Joining Pina as this year’s inductees to the Wingfield Society were: Kirk Anderson, John Embree, Paula Hale, Larry Haugness, Mike McNulty, Pam Sloan and Jonelle Smith.

Pina joins fellow New England Past President, Bob Greene, who was inducted into the Wingfield Society last year.

In addition to being inducted to the Wingfield Society, Pina was also recognized with a 20-year Volunteer Service Award at the USTA Awards Lunch. He was honored with other longtime volunteers as well as annual award winners.