Texans' Contributions to Tennis Honored
IRVING, Texas – USTA Texas celebrated twelve individuals and organizations from across Texas that made a significant contribution to the sport of tennis in Texas on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Irving.
The honorees were highlighted during the 2023 USTA Texas Awards Luncheon held at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel and Convention Center as part of the USTA Texas Annual Meeting. At the ceremony, USTA Texas President Kevin Collins of San Angelo congratulated the winners on their achievements.
“This year’s class of award winners have dedicated a great part of their time and talents to tennis: growing it, improving it, and making it more inclusive and accessible to all Texans,” he said. “On behalf of the entire Texas tennis family, thank you for your contributions to this game we all love.”
Fernando Velasco of Pflugerville, the Executive Director of the Capital Area Tennis Association in Austin, received the W. T. Caswell Service Award which is given to a Texas resident who has made valuable contributions to the growth and development of tennis in Texas.
The Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award which honors individuals who “exhibit outstanding abilities at a professional level in developing junior tennis” was given to Michael MacVay of Austin.
Dr. Alfredo and Tina Treviño of Laredo received the Henry Cox Adaptive Tennis Award for their contributions to adaptive tennis, or tennis tailored for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Tina was joined by her three children, who accepted the award on behalf of their father Alfredo. Fondly known as “Dr. T,” Alfredo served as the first Hispanic USTA Texas President and passed away in December 2022. Tina quoted tennis legend Arthur Ashe and thanked the audience for the impact tennis had made on their lives.
- Claire McFerran
- Dallas Tennis Association
- Northeast Texas Coalition Tennis Association
- The Longbotham Family
- Dr. Alfredo & Tina Trevino
- Michael MacVay
- Houston Tennis Association
- Gary Lund
- Mike Henry
- Lois Canady
- Antonio De Santis
- Fernando Velasco
- Ashe Quote
Claire McFerran of Eddy received the USTA Texas Community Service Award for her “outstanding contributions in promoting and conducting recreational tennis programs.” McFerran has been a longtime tennis organizer and coach in the greater Waco area.
Mike Henry of Georgetown was recognized as the Ray Delcastillo Official of the Year for his work as a tennis Official and referee. Gary Lund of Bedford received the Randy Snow Wheelchair Tennis Service Award for his work volunteering and organizing wheelchair tennis in Texas.
The USTA Texas Family of the Year Award was presented to the Longbotham Family of Groesbeck. The award was given to long-time high school tennis coach, Jim Longbotham, his wife Colleen, as well as their children: Megan Longbotham Young, a former USTA Texas staff member and current USTA National and Sectional volunteer; Lauren Longbotham Spencer, a former Division 1 tennis athlete and college coach; and Lauren’s husband, Stephen Spencer, co-founder and Director of Tennis at the Groesbeck Tennis Academy.
Two individuals also received the USTA Texas Senior Spirit of Tennis Award, a recognition given for service promoting and organizing tennis among the sport’s senior community. Lois Canady of Houston and Antonio De Santis, of Missouri City, both active players, captains, and organizers, were highlighted for their efforts.
The Houston Tennis Association (HTA) was named the USTA Texas Member Organization of the Year for its “outstanding service by a member organization to its members and to the game of tennis.” HTA was founded in 1951 and provided tennis opportunities to over 4,000 participants in 2022.
Two other local organizations were recognized as Community Tennis Associations of the Year after being nominated and chosen by members of the Texas tennis community as part of the inaugural Best of Texas Tennis program in 2022: Dallas Tennis Association, based in Addison, earned the distinction of Large CTA of the Year, and Northeast Texas Coalition Tennis Association of Tyler as Small CTA of the Year.
Learn more about the this year's winners:
Listed alphabetically by award name
- 2023 USTA Texas Community Service Award Winner, Claire McFerran
- 2023 USTA Texas CTA of the Year Award Winners, Dallas Tennis Association and Northeast Texas Coalition Tennis Association
- 2023 USTA Texas Family of the Year Award Winner, The Longbotham Family
- 2023 USTA Texas Henry Cox Adaptive Tennis Award Winners, Dr. Alfredo & Tina Trevino
- 2023 USTA Texas Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award Winner, Michael MacVay
- 2023 USTA Texas Member Organization of the Year Award Winner, Houston Tennis Association
- 2023 USTA Texas Randy Snow Wheelchair Tennis Service Award Winner, Gary Lund
- 2023 USTA Texas Ray Delcastillo Official of the Year Award Winner, Mike Henry
- 2023 USTA Texas Senior Spirit of Tennis Award Winners, Lois Canady and Antonio De Santis
- 2023 USTA Texas W. T. Caswell Service Award Winner, Fernando Velasco
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