2023 Community Service Award

Congratulations to the winner of the 2023 USTA Texas Community Service Award, Claire McFerran.

Established in 1989, this award honors a person who has provided outstanding contributions in promoting and conducting recreational tennis programs. Learn more about this award.

Claire McFerran's tennis journey started like that of many: "playing a little in high school." After a 30-year hiatus, however, she found her way back on court. 

"I'm not going to get too involved," she said. 

"This will just be a fun hobby," she said. 

15 years – and hundreds of thousands of players – later, to say Claire has made an impact on the greater Waco tennis community would be an understatement. Frankly, it would be easier to just list the things she DOESN'T do. 

So, HOW does she do it all? WHY does she do it all? In her own words: 

"To see the difference that a positive tennis experience can make in a child's life is amazing. To watch a parent understand that the traditional view of tennis as a sport for the wealthy is really a sport of inclusivity -- regardless of their child's social status, race, physical or learning differences -- makes all of the time and energy spent the most rewarding experience of my life."

And yet somehow, Claire still manages to find new ways to grow the game. Her most recent venture? Back where it all started... coaching high school tennis.