2018 Volunteer All-Star Team 

USTA Northern and our tennis providers are forever grateful to their volunteers who give unconditionally for the good of the game and their community. The Section is honoring these individuals, who were nominated by their peers, April 15-22 during Volunteer All-Star Week!

As the saying goes, "Life is like tennis. If you serve well, you will seldom lose." Special thanks to all of you who practice their service game both on and off the court.

Greg Anderson

St. Paul, Minn.

Nominator: USTA Northern Staff

“Greg is always one of the first people to respond to any volunteer needs we have whether it is Member Appreciation gatherings, Swingles or Community Outreach events. Whatever the occasion, Greg always wants to help and does it with a smile because he LOVES tennis. Thank you Greg!”

Carissa Dice

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Nominator: Lydia Healy

"Carissa has been an amazing and tireless volunteer for several years. She was asked to join the Sioux Falls Tennis Association Board and quickly took on the very tough challenge of being the Treasurer. During this time, Carissa was working a full-time job in which she traveled frequently and was raising three small children. If her life wasn't busy enough, she readily stepped into the role of SFTA Board President this year. Her efforts are already paying off as she has recruited five new enthusiastic board members and a new tournament sponsor, doubling our South Dakota Open purse to $10,000."

Cindy Huether

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Nominator: Mark Vellek

"Cindy played an instrumental role in the fundraising efforts, making the dream of a six-court indoor facility come to life in Sioux Falls. She serves as Chair of the Board at Huether Family Match Pointe, and this past year volunteered her time and treasure to help bring the first-ever USTA National Level 3 Junior Tournament to Sioux Falls in January. She has served as Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Tennis Association, and along with her husband, Mike, has given and so much to tennis in Sioux Falls.”

Nancy Lawrence

Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center

Nominator: Judy Long

"Nancy has been a volunteer with the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center's free after-school program since 2005. She has come two, and sometimes, three times a week to work with students both on and off the court. She takes a personal interest in ALL of her students, wanting them all to have the benefit of a dedicated mentor whether teaching a forehand volley, how to deal with bullying incidents or just being comfortable with who they are."

Don Schaack

Valley City, N.D.

Nominator: Matthew Nielson

"Don has been a volunteer varsity assistant coach for the Valley City Hi-Liners for 17 years. He develops meaningful relationships with the athletes that help them grow as tennis players and as people. He designed, and was the lead builder of, our tennis shed that we use daily. Don is a pillar of Valley City tennis as a volunteer."

JD Stephenson

Bismarck, N.D.

Nominator: Kevin Allan

"JD is a very active individual on the local tennis scene. JD has volunteered his time and served on the Bismarck-Mandan Tennis Association Board of Directors for many years, earning recognition as its Member of the Year. JD is an active player participating in socials, leagues and tournaments. He organizes and runs a weekly doubles league that plays indoors in winter and outdoors in the summer/fall months. JD's biggest contribution to tennis in the Bismarck-Mandan Community was his willingness to serve as tournament director for the Bismarck Open for a period of three years. Additionally, he was a site manager last year. JD continues to exemplify what it means to be a servant leader and put others first when it comes to tennis."

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USTA Northern Needs Volunteers For Many Spring and Summer Events
USTA Northern has many volunteer opportunities for our community outreach events this spring and summer including Girls on the Run (June 3, Minneapolis), Twin Cities PRIDE Festival (June 23-24, Minneapolis), Special Olympic Area Games (August 12, St. Paul), Special Olympic State Games (September 21-23, St. Paul). If you have a few hours to spare, we can use you! Click here to fill out a volunteer form or contact Sandy Smith at ssmith@northern.usta.com.