Bob Ryland Diversity Award

Kendall Chitambar- Boulder, Colorado

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USPTA Diversity Award to Kendall Chitambar from Boulder, CO. (Intermountain).
As co-founder and director of tennis of the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center, Kendall created the 5430 Kids’ Tennis Foundation nonprofit that provides inclusive programs, wheelchair tennis camps, scholarship funds and more to kids. RTC offers training and competition options for all levels and backgrounds of players. Kendall has dedicated his life to building an environment that emphasizes community and individual growth, mental and physical wellbeing, and inclusiveness and accessibility.

National Awards

George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award

John Ingram - Granbury, Texas

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the USPTA George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award to John Ingram III from Granbury, Texas (Texas Division).
For the past 50 years, Ingram has taught tennis at all levels and ages. In 2013, he constructed a lawn tennis court for member play during the Wimbledon Championships. He has served in several positions over the years such as chairman of the USPTA Texas nominating committee, tournament director for the USPTA National Mother-Daughter Hardcourt Championships and as a USTA clinician. Ingram also competed in and held rankings in the USTA tournaments, both as a junior and as an adult.

National Awards

Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year Award

Roeland Brateanu - Midvale, Utah

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Roeland Brateanu of Midvale, UT. (Intermountain), the 2024 USPTA Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year.
USPTA 2023 Intermountain Coach of the Year and five-time ITA Mountain Region Coach of the Year Roeland Brateanu is entering his 11th season as head coach of the University of Utah men's tennis team. He guided the team to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2018 and again in the 2022-23 season. In 2023, he was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year and led the Utes to their first Pac-12 title with a 24-6 record.

National Awards

USPTA Elevate Award

Zachary L. Williams - Corpus Christi, Texas

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USPTA Elevate Award to Zachary L. Williams from Corpus Christi, TX. (Texas).
USPTA Elite Professional Zachary L. Williams is a tennis professional at Corpus Christi Country Club and former collegiate tennis player at Queens University of Charlotte. He serves as the coordinator for Junior Team Tennis in Corpus Christi where he oversees a program with over 100 athletes. In addition, he plays a role in tennis development through his membership with the USTA Texas Junior Team Tennis Committee and the USPTA Texas Membership Committee. Zachary holds a USPTA pickleball certification, teaches lessons and coaches a top 30 ranked professional.

National Awards

USTA/USPTA Community Service Award

Christin Schmuann - Minneapolis, Minnesota 

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USTA/USPTA Community Service Award to Christin Schumann from Minneapolis, MN. (Northern Division).
Schumann is a USPTA Elite Professional and the executive director of USPTA Northern. She is also the manager of coach development at USTA Northern. In 2023, she provided seventeen area coaches with an introduction to the Net Generation Curriculum.

National Awards

Top Education Credit Earner

Marcos Del Pilar Rivero - Orlando, Florida

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to recognize Marcos Del Pilar Rivero of Orlando, Fla. (Florida), the 2023 USPTA Top Education Earner.
Del Pilar Rivero is the leading authority for Padel certification under the USPTA umbrella and Padelmba USA. In addition, he is the co-founder and commissioner of the Pro Padel League.

National Awards

Hall of Fame

Katrina Adams - Bradenton, Florida

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the Tim Heckler USPTA Hall of Fame Award to Katrina Adams, from Bradenton, Fla. (Florida Division).
Adams is the first person to have served as president and CEO of the USTA. She has many achievements such as the open of the 100 court USTA National Campus in Orlando, the strategic transformation of the $600 million USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. and an unprecedented outreach effort into underserved communities to share the sport of tennis. She has experience as vice president of the prestigious International Tennis Federation, chairman of the Billie Jean King Cup Committee, chairman of the Gender Equality in Tennis Committee and as the executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program. These roles reflect Katrina’s deep-seated passion and commitment to the sport and to making our industry bigger and better

National Awards

Hall of Fame

Jim Reffkin - Tucson, Arizona

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the Tim Heckler USPTA Hall of Fame Award to the late Jim Reffkin, from Tucson, AZ. (Southwest Division).
Reffkin served as the director of Tucson tennis for the city of Tucson. He oversaw tennis programming and events at the Randolph Tennis Center, which was later renamed the Jim Reffkin Tennis Center in 2009. He brought Little League Tennis to Tucson and founded the Holiday Junior Tennis Camp and Junior Talent Tennis Hunt in Southern Arizona, founded the annual high school invitational in Tucson in 1971 and coached the Pima Community College Women's Tennis Team, where he led them to two National NJCAA Titles and numerous regional titles.

National Awards

Small Facility Manager of the Year Award

Rob Manter - Brunswick, Maine

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Rob Manter of Brunswick, ME. (New England), the 2024 USPTA Small Facility Manager of the Year.
Rob Manter is a USPTA Elite Professional and one of the few professionals that started the USTA Leagues Program in 1988. He is the owner and manager of Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness. Under his ownership, Maine Pines has developed new features that include the area’s largest aerobics studio, fully equipped cardio and strength training rooms, and five indoor pickleball courts. In 2023, the club became fully solar and almost 100% green with respect to electricity.

National Awards

Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year Award

Karim Najdi - Washington, D.C.

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Karim Najdi of Washington, D.C. (Mid-Atlantic), the 2024 USPTA Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year.
Karim Najdi is a USPTA Elite Professional and the associate athletic director at St. Albans School. He has led independent schools and nonprofit organizations in providing multisport and academic programs to hundreds of children and adults each year. As head coach of St. Albans, Najdi has led the team to win many championships including IAC titles and DCSAA trophies

National Awards

George Bacso Tennis Coach Developer of the Year Award

Ellen Considine-Miller - Houston, Texas

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Ellen Considine-Miller of Houston, TX. (Texas), the 2024 USPTA George Bacso Tennis Developer Coach of the Year.
Miller is a USPTA coach developer for the level 1 certification and senior coach developer for the USTA. As previous director of coaching and player development for the Houston Tennis Association NJTL, she trained coaches at over 30 park sites and the created a competitive pathway for players transitioning from park programs to the high-performance Tournament Player Group. She also implemented one of the first comprehensive ROGY programs in the country at the Junior Tennis Champions Center.

National Awards

USPTA Star Award

Nestor Bernabe - Providence, Rhode Island

 The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USPTA Star Award to Nestor Bernabe from Providence, RI. (New England).
As owner and director of Providence Tennis Academy, Nestor has increased participation, enthusiasm and competitiveness in the Providence tennis community. He formed the One Love Providence program to offer free tennis lessons to any student under the age of 18 in Rhode Island. Since the summer of 2010, he has organized and coached the Providence Spartans USTA Under 14 Advanced Junior Team to five Rhode Island State Championships.

National Awards

Alex Gordon Professional of the Year

Bruce Lipka - Rockville, Maryland

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USPTA Alex Gordon Professional of the Year Award to Bruce Lipka from Rockville, Md. (Mid-Atlantic Division).
Lipka is the men’s tennis head coach at Penn State and the coach of WTA No. 1 doubles player, Erin Routliffe. In 2020, he achieved USPTA Master Professional status. He is a three-time USPTA Tour Coach of the Year and four-time USPTA Professional of the Year. As a board member of numerous organizations, including grassroots nonprofits and elite philanthropic groups, he has consistently used tennis as a tool for community building. For 40 years he has represented what it means to be the Alex Gordon Pro of the Year.

National Awards

Large Facility Manager of the Year Award

Marc Knutila - Colorado Springs, Colorado

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Marc Knutila from Colorado Springs, CO. (Intermountain), the 2024 USPTA Large Facility Manager of the Year.
USPTA Professional Marc Knutila is the director of tennis for the City of Colorado Springs and owner of Springs Tennis LLC. As director of tennis, Knutila has been able to add more courts and programs for the community to experience. He is the executive director of Springs Tennis Non-Profit Corp in partnership with USTA Colorado SERVES which allows underprivileged children to get involved with tennis through programs and scholarships. Knutila is a proud community builder and promoter for the game of tennis in Colorado Springs.

National Awards

George Bacso Pickleball Coach Developer of the Year Award

Kelly Marshall - Austin, Texas

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the USPTA George Bacso Pickleball Coach Developer of the Year Award to Kelly Marshall from Austin, Texas.
Kelly is the director of tennis and athletics at Onion Creek Club. She manages tennis, fitness, pickleball programs and leads a team of 15. Under her leadership, the club has seen a significant growth in both participation and revenue. She also offers low-cost junior tennis events, and a program called "Active U" that introduces tennis and pickleball to beginners. Kelly is one of the only 15 women, amongst 150 members, who is a USPTA Master Professional and promotes tennis programs, workshops and events.

National Awards

Industry Excellence Award

Peg Connor - Laramie, Wyoming

The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USPTA Industry Excellence Award to Peg Connor from Laramie, WY. (Intermountain). 
Peg Connor is the executive director of USTA Wyoming. She is also a certified teaching pro, collegiate coach, USTA clinician, pro tour events manager and executive for a major racquet manufacturer. With her expertise in grassroots programming, she has helped positively impact brand and revenue for organizations, schools and companies. Her passion for tennis reflects what it means to be honored with the Industry Excellence Award.

National Awards