Awards & Hall of Fame Save the Date

USTA Northern's 2018 Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Friday, May 10, 2019. Find the previous year's award winners here.

At the banquet, USTA Northern will present the following awards along with its Hall of Fame inductees for 2018. The deadline for all nominations to be received by the Section office is Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. Nominations can be made online or by sending them by mail, email, or fax to the following address: 

USTA Northern Awards Committee c/o John Chandler

1001 W. 98th Street, Suite 101

Bloomington, MN 55431

EMAIL: john@northern.usta.com 

FAX: 952-887-5061 Attn: Awards Committee

Check back after the event for more information on the awards, recipients and Hall of Fame inductees.

Hall of Fame Nomination Criteria

USTA Northern is actively looking for nominees from all tennis backgrounds for induction into its Hall of Fame.  Candidates can be players, administrators, teachers, coaches, media, volunteers, supporters, contributors, professional players, umpires, active members of USTA or CTAs, wheelchair or disabled athletes, USTA employees, club owners, Park & Recreation employees, among others. Candidates do not have to be living. We are looking for individuals from all over the Section which includes Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwestern Wisconsin.

What qualifies someone to receive consideration for the Hall of Fame?  These qualifications are only guidelines used by the committee. It is up to the discretion of the committee if an exception to the following qualifications is deemed appropriate.

1. Candidate is at least 45 years old. 

2. Candidate has lived in USTA Northern at least 5 years during their accomplishments.

3. Candidate’s past records, rankings, titles and his/her length of participation at the appropriate level of play in USTA Northern.

4. Candidate’s contribution to tennis in USTA Northern by his/her actions, deeds, promotion or dedication to the game.

5. Candidate’s effect on tennis at the National/International level through USTA participation and/or Professional or Collegiate activities.

6. Candidate’s effect on tennis in their locality (small or large). 

Award Nominations

Ward C. Burton Junior Development Award

This award is presented to an individual/organization who has promoted the growth of tennis for juniors and served the junior tennis community in USTA Northern. 

Frank Voigt Pro of the Year

The Frank Voigt Pro of the Year Award is given to a tennis teaching professional who demonstrates leadership skills on and off the court.

Family of the Year

The Family of the Year Award is presented to a family that has been outstanding in promoting tennis both on and off the court. The winner of this award is considered for the corresponding national award.

Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award

The Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award is presented to one boy and one girl who not only display the finest qualities of sportsmanship during tournament play, but who demonstrate exemplary conduct away from the court as well. The winners of this award are eligible for the corresponding national award. 

Albert Teeter Adult Sportsmanship Award

This award is presented to the adult player who displays fairness and generosity while winning and losing with respect and integrity.

Jack Dow Adult Development Award

The Jack Dow Adult Development Award honors the individual whose efforts have had the greatest impact on improving adult competitive and recreational play that year. Among individuals to be considered are tennis teaching professionals, tournament directors, USTA League tennis coordinators and captains and others.

Bob Larson Media Excellence Award

The Bob Larson Media Excellence Award, named after longtime Tennis Midwest and Daily Tennis Editor Bob Larson from Edina, Minn., recognizes a person/organization that has provided exemplary tennis coverage for the local community. 

Rocky Rockwell Grassroots Official Award

The Rocky Rockwell Grassroots Official Award was established in 2009 to honor an official who has done outstanding work as an official at the grassroots level. These people are the backbone of USTA officiating. The winner of this award is then nominated for the Nicholas Powel National Award.

Wolfenson-Ratner Community Service Award

This award honors an individual for his/her outstanding fieldwork in recreational tennis. It is awarded for significant contributions in developing community-based tennis programs through community centers, schools, parks, and CTA's. The winner of this award is considered for the corresponding national award.

Junior Team Tennis Organizer of the Year

The Junior Team Tennis Organizer of the Year is given to an individual for their significant contributions in organizing a Junior Team Tennis team over the previous year.

Member Organization of the Year

The Member Organization of the Year recognizes outstanding service by clubs, CTA's, schools, NJTL Chapters, Park & Recreation Agencies and other member organizations. It represents a standard for which all member organizations can strive to achieve. Sectional winners are considered for the corresponding national award.