Pam Shriver Award for Outstanding Contributions to Tennis in Maryland
Russell Fink, Annapolis. Russell has done a little of everything in the world of tennis. Manager of the Whitemarsh Tennis Club in 1983. Organizer and first president of the Washington County Tennis Patrons – a USTA member Community Tennis Association 1993. Director of four USTA sanctioned tournaments each year for 10 years, including the Maryland State Outdoors 70 - 90 and the MAS outdoor 90’s. Since 2005, he has been president and administrator of the Annapolis Area Tennis School, a USTA member Community Tennis Association since 2005. AATS was named Mid-Atlantic Maryland Organization of the year (2008), and 2008 Section NJTL of the year. There have been 4000 participants in AATS’ clinics, camps and leagues.
He also has been a writer for TennisTalk, a weekly newspaper column in Hagerstown Herald Mail, and for the Annapolis Capital – winner of the Maryland District USTA Press Award in 1993 and 1996, Soupy Senior’s Tournament Diary – a regular column in Super Senior Tennis Magazine since 1994 and periodic news and feature columnist in Mid Atlantic Match Point.
Russell is a certified teaching Pro and has played an average of 15 tournaments per year for the past 20 years, having won one USTA Category II Doubles Championship; 3 Middle Atlantic Singles Championships, State Championships in Maryland, Virginia (3 times), and South Carolina, one USTA Category II doubles championship, and 12 other USTA sanctioned events.
Current USTA Ranking in the 80’s singles #10. His USTA year-end ranking in 2009 was #8 in singles and #4 in doubles. Congratulations to Russell for a tennis life well lived.
Paul Goldstein Sportsmanship Award
This year’s recipients of the prestigious Goldstein Award are Samuel Paras and Hannah Parent
Samuel Paras, LaPlata. Samuel is a team leader who never has a negative comment about any player or teammate. During his high school team practices, he takes the time and initiative to assist first-year players in skill development and focus. He constantly emphasizes ignoring an opponent’s antics during competition. Sam excels in other areas as well -- a multisport athlete, he maintains a 4.2 Grade Point Average. Of special note is that his High School Advanced Placement Science team project was selected to fly into space on the last manned space flight and will remain there until all tests are concluded by the NASA flight team.
Hannah Parent, Port Tobacco. Hannah is always optimistic and energetic whether it’s a close loss or a big win -- she takes every match in stride. When not playing, she is courtside supporting her teammates and helping coach any new team players. She respects the game, her team and her opponents! She also maintains a 3.9 GPA, is the treasurer of her high school tennis club, and enjoys volunteering with local after-school tennis programs and events.
Organization of the Year
Baltimore Curriculum Project
Congratulations to the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) on the successful launch of a new Pre-K through 8 school tennis initiative incorporating 10 and Under Tennis. BCP is a nonprofit organization that operates public charter schools in East Baltimore, converting underperforming, high-poverty schools into high-performing charter schools. BCP has committed to bring tennis this year to nearly 1,500 students in all four of its schools -- City Springs, Collington Square, Hampstead Hill, and Wolfe Street -- through physical education, after school clubs, and an intramural tennis league planned for 2012. BCP and USTA kicked off the initiative last June with a fun tennis outing in Patterson Park for over 400 students, followed this fall by an in-service training for BCP and other Baltimore City physical educators. Thank you BCP for getting on the bus and taking tennis to your schools. We look forward to a great ride!
No-Cut Coach of the Year
Mike Parks, North Caroline High School. Mike has been a No-Cut High School Coach for more than five years. He runs a very competitive girls team on only two courts at North Caroline and frequently he had more than 20 girls practicing and competing on just those two courts. Mike embodies the attributes of a great coach and encourages respect and sportsmanship from all his players.
Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Christy Neff, University Park Elementary School, Prince George’s County. Christy is an energetic Physical Educator and avid tennis promoter. Since 2006, her school has been a tennis equipment loan center that services over 20 schools. She teaches tennis in all her classes and runs a springtime Junior Team Tennis program after school with upwards of 90 kids participating. Christy’s enthusiasm encourages others to get involved including enlisting parents to help her. She’ll use any surface she can find for tennis -- including blacktops -- anywhere a ball will bounce.
Adult Sportsmanship Award
Richard Fussell, Reisterstown. At Senior Sectionals recently in Newport News, VA., Richard, captain of a Carroll County 8.0 Senior Mixed team, showed great sportsmanship and respect for his fellow competitors. Here’s the story. Scheduling changes in the week leading up to Sectionals unexpectedly lead to the Fussell team’s Lynchburg,VA opponent missing at match time. They were, in fact, still in Lynchburg. Instead of accepting an automatic default, in the spirit of fair play, Richard offered to wait until the team could arrive to play – not a short wait either. As Richard said, he was there to play! Ultimately, the Lynchburg team chose to default, but Richard’s actions were a tribute to his respect for the game and sense of fair play.
Adult Program Administrator of the Year
Liz Baker, Glenwood. Liz is one of the best league coordinators in Maryland. Liz’s knowledge, patience and willingness to help all has made her a standout. She continues to expand tennis participation in Howard County by running an organized ship. She is always willing to lend a hand – either as a mentor or a volunteer for duties as assigned at all District Championships.
Junior Program Administrator of the Year
Darryl Shanholtz started a community tennis association in Washington County in 2010 with the primary goal of giving local youth a chance to play tennis. His first two seasons resulted in 110 new tennis players. Some of his players have gone on to play on local high school teams and have advanced to the State High School Championship – great progress in only two years. He also has embraced the 10 & Under initiative whole heartedly. He is eager to help others wanting to start CTA’s, has volunteered for the JTT State Championships, and has served on the grievance committee. His great attitude helps makes his program solid and popular for youngsters.
Tournament Director of the Year
Derek Sabedra, St. Mary’s County. Tournament tennis is booming in southern Maryland with Derek’s help. He started a brand new junior tournament in St. Mary's County last year. This year, the second annual junior event was held during the hottest weekend of the year but still manage to attract a 50% increase in registrations across 14 divisions, including 10 & Under Quick Start Tennis. This year Derek also started the first ever Southern Maryland Adult NTRP Tournament which drew more than 50 players in singles, doubles and combo doubles events. The tournaments are being held in St. Mary's City at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Teaching Pro of the Year
Pete Siegert, Lusby. Fourteen years ago, Pete Siegert started an adaptive tennis program in Calvert County and now he’s “the glue that holds it all together,” according to the county’s therapeutic recreation specialist who also says “he’s wonderful.” Pete goes overboard with prizes and snacks for the tennis players to make sure they enjoy the experience, and that their families do too. He always gives a “big thanks” to all his volunteers who help with these free clinics. Pete said he couldn’t have started them without the help of “a wonderful person” -- Brenda Gilmore, wheelchair tennis player, Prince George’s Tennis & Education Assn. director, and USTA national award recipient. Thanks to Pete for taking her lead and launching the adaptive tennis program for some special people.
Family of the Year
The Copty Family
Nabil, Julie, Christina and John Copty, Rockville. This is the quintessential example of a Maryland family dedicated to promoting and developing the growth of tennis. For close to a decade, the Copty family have routinely demonstrated their passion and enthusiasm for the game of tennis by being involved in USTA Leagues, World Team Tennis, tournament play and volunteering for local community tennis initiatives. The family members are league captains, coordinators, Montgomery County Tennis Association Board members, committee members, tournament players and teachers – helping others gain a love of tennis.
Excellence in Media Award
Russ Thaler. Russ is an original member of Comcast SportsNet’s news department, and exemplifies versatility through his many key roles with the network, including anchor, reporter and host. He is the public address announcer for the Washington Kastles of World Team Tennis and has been the play-by-play announcer for many soccer and basketball games. Thaler is a graduate of Emory University, where he was a member of the school’s nationally-ranked tennis team. Russ has now taken on a new challenge as the host for a daily show on NBC Sports Network.
Special Service Award
Art Tollick, Columbia. Art is being recognized for his work on the Troy Park Tennis and Sports Center. Art quit his job and has dedicated his days to making the Troy Park tennis facility in eastern Howard County come to fruition. He has unselfishly spearheaded this effort at a high personal and professional expense. This facility could change the landscape of tennis in Maryland, provide much-needed public courts for the community, and enable the region and state to attract many national events and tournaments. The Maryland Stadium Authority has commissioned an independent consulting firm to vet the Troy Park project; the consultant’s report is expected by year end.
Special Service Award
Janette Logan, Upper Marlboro. Janette volunteered this year to be Maryland's New Player Liaison for Leagues. As such her main job is to make sure everyone looking for a league team finds a team! Thanks to Janette's dedication, enthusiasm, energy and passion for tennis, 85 players have found teams to join somewhere in Maryland.
Association of Maryland Tennis Umpire (AMTO) Awards
Van Brunt Rookie Umpire of the Year
John Barth, Columbia. John demonstrated motivation and skills which suggest he make notable contributions to tennis officiating in the future. In merely 12 months, he completed all the requirements for Sectional and ITA Officials plus elective attendance at Chair Umpire School. The comments from evaluators, including a Section Trainer-Evaluator, declared him highly rated and capable working independently. John’s ready availability for many 2011 events, including junior, adult, and intercollegiate tournaments, also indicate he’ll continue to contribute in a major way to tennis and tennis officiating.
Umpire of the Year
Dave Pullen, Silver Spring. Dave’s valuable and enduring contributions to tennis officiating in 2011 are numerous and include serving as referee of the Maryland District Adult League Championship. He also provided valuable lessons to help guide referees in future tournaments. He served as Vice-Chair for AMTO’s managing committee and in that capacity investigated insurance, association tax exempt status, and web site development. Dave’s contributions will continue as the newly elected 2012 Chair of Maryland District Tennis Officials and Chair of AMTO, the Maryland officials’ professional association. He is also MCTA’s executive director.