2026 Randy Snow Wheelchair Tennis Service Award
What does receiving this award mean to you?
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition. Three years ago, when I joined the USTA Texas Wheelchair Tennis Committee, San Antonio lacked an organized wheelchair tennis program. Through intensive collaboration between the San Antonio Tennis Association and Morgan’s Wonderland, we successfully developed and initiated a wheelchair tennis program in May 2024. The program has demonstrated consistent growth over the past two seasons and holds significant potential to introduce tennis to a broader range of athletes with disabilities. Numerous individuals from SATA and Morgan’s Wonderland have been instrumental in creating this opportunity for tennis participation, and I firmly believe that this award should be attributed to our community rather than solely to myself. I am profoundly humbled to be a part of our wheelchair and adaptive tennis community, and be an active advocate for our athletes.”
– Dr. Barry Wortham
About the winner:
For some, vision is simply about what we see in front of us. For Dr. Barry Wortham, it is about envisioning a world where every athlete has a seat at the table—and a chair on the court. He has spent the better part of two decades ensuring that the physical and social boundaries of the sport are replaced by an open invitation to compete.
Dr. Wortham’s dedication to Texas tennis is deeply rooted in the San Antonio community, where he has been a steady advocate for inclusion. While many know him through his service on the San Antonio Tennis Association board or his position on the USTA Texas Wheelchair Committee, his most profound impact is found at the grassroots level. As a central figure in the South Texas Regional Adaptive & Para Sports (STRAPS) program at Morgan’s Wonderland, he has been instrumental in implementing year-round opportunities for wheelchair athletes to expand their horizons, develop their skills, and find a community.
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His leadership is defined by a rare combination of technical experience and a servant’s heart. He doesn't just manage programs from afar. He is frequently on the court, assisting with equipment, coaching fundamentals, and recruiting new participants who may have never considered tennis as an option. His professional background as an anesthesiologist guides his meticulous approach to service, but it is his warmth and steady encouragement that have turned the San Antonio wheelchair community into a thriving hub for athletes across Central and South Texas.
In every clinic and tournament he supports, Dr. Wortham reflects the indomitable spirit of Randy Snow—a Texas tennis legend who redefined what was possible for wheelchair athletes through grit, excellence, and advocacy. Much like Snow, Dr. Wortham understands that the sport’s future depends on creating sustainable pathways for players of all abilities. By championing the dignity of every athlete and fostering an environment of competition, camaraderie and mutual respect, he ensures that the legacy of wheelchair tennis in Texas continues to “stay on a roll.”
Through his unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, Dr. Wortham has proven that the true heart of our sport is found in the resilience and strength of the athletes he serves.
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