WESTBOROUGH, MA - USTA New England takes great pleasure in recognizing the services of individuals and organizations who share in the mission "To Promote and Develop the Growth of Tennis".
To that end, USTA New England hosts an annual awards luncheon, where those selected are introduced and their contributions formally lauded.
The 2010 award winners collective efforts in advocating for the game were recognized in March at the Courtyard Marriot in Marlborough.
Let's meet the award winners:
Several young players were tapped for sportsmanship awards, which are presented to the USTA New England boy and girl in the 12-and-under, 14-and-under, and 16-and-under age divisions who exemplified sportsmanship qualities on and off the court during the past year.
In the boys' 16-and-under, Middletown, CT's Graham Alrutz was the winner, while Bloomfield CT's Dayna Lord took home the award in girls' 16s. In the boys' 14s, Justin Brogan (Falmouth, ME) was selected, while in the girls' 14s, the award was presented to Nicole McCann of Amherst, MA. McCann's sportsmanship is not only exemplary, but it also may be hereditary. her younger sister, Allison, won the award in 12s. Harwich, MA resident Patrick Wyeth was selected as the boys' 12 winner.
Sophie Panarese of Milton, MA is the winner of the William Hoblitzelle Award, given to the USTA New England Girls 18-and-under player who best demonstrated a superior blend of sportsmanship and leadership on and off the court. The award was first given in 1958 and is named in honor of William Hoblitzelle. Hoblitzelle was a dedicated umpire who was instrumental in organizing junior events, especially team matches between New England and Canada.
Panarese, who will play for Georgetown University in the fall, has had a distinguished career that includes many memorable wins, but it's the kind and friendly demeanor that stands out among other players, coaches, and officials.
Daniel Hirschberg (Westport, CT) won the Colonel Bernard Gorfinkle Award, which is given to the USTA New England Boys 18-and-under player who exemplified outstanding sportsmanship on and off the court throughout his career. Hirschberg is well-rounded and has managed to play tennis at a high level while balancing education, community service and a commitment to sportsmanship.
The Junior Improvement Awards were won by Lexington, MA resident Ben Tso and Elysse Hamlin (Fairfield, CT).
The William Freedman award, given the person who made an outstanding contribution to the development of junior tennis throughout his or her career, was won by Mike Slattery of Norwalk, CT's Intensity. Slattery, a pro who has coached numerous champions, has been on the forefront of the 10-and-Under movement and was among the first to organize tournaments using the QuickStart Tennis format of play.
The Junior Tournament of the Year award went to the Level 3 Tournament in Connecticut run by Matt Fraenza and Paul Gagliardi. Aside from providing a top-notch, competitive field, the tournament has a slew of volunteers, whose specialties include racquet stringing, hitting pros and court monitors.
The Adult Tournament of Year award was given to the Yale Hard Courts, part of the successful debut of the popular Senior Slams series.
The Judy Lacy Journalism Award, presented to the person who made an outstanding contribution to the development of junior tennis throughout his or her career, was won by Shaun Sutner, whose tennis column appears regularly in the Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette.
Peter Drago of North Scituate, RI was the winner of the Adult Sportsmanship Award.
USTA League awards were given to Viola Schutter (Bradford, MA; Coordinator of the Year); Donna Kaynor (Essex Junction, VT; Female Captain of the Year) and Scott Finch (Amherst, MA; Male Captain of the Year).
USTA New England has a strong and longstanding relationship with the two most prominent and respected teaching organizations in tennis, the USPTA and the PTR. Each of these organizations has been a valuable partner in producing ideas and individuals that positively impact the growth of tennis.
The winner of the 2010 Joseph Dietz Bowl, awarded to the USPTA New England Pro of the Year, is David Zeutas-Broer of Worcester, MA.
The 2010 PTR New England Pro of the Year award was given to Lance Anderson (Boxborough,MA).
Bill Ewen of New Haven, CT was named 2010 New England High School Coach of the Year. Ewen, who will enter his 43rd year as coach at the Hopkins School, led his team to the school's first-ever NEPSAC championship in 2010.
Northampton (MA) Park and Recreation was named the 2010 Park and Recreation Association of the Year, thanks to its commitment to providing quality, affordable tennis opportunities to its citizens.
Pittsfield Public Schools was recognized as the 2010 School Tennis Program of the Year, while New haven Youth Tennis was named the Community Tennis Association of the Year.
Each respective New England district names a volunteer of the year and the 2010 winners included Tracy Breton (Rhode Island), Henry Hagenah (Western Mass.), Debra Laporte (Vermont), Tracey McEvoy (Connecticut), Nancy Osborne (New Hampshire) and Frank Williams (Eastern Mass.).
The Club of the Year for 2010 was the Middlebury (CT) Racquet Club. While Jack Doherty (Florence, MA) was the 2010 Official of the Year.
Awards related to Jr. Team Tennis include Beth Melina of Killingworth, CT (Coordinator of the Year); Southern Connecticut JTT (League of the Year) and Bedford, N.H.'s Nancy Grimes (Coach of the Year).
Norwalk Grassroots Tennis was chosen as the 2010 NJTL Chapter of the Year and Vermont native Laura Laramee is the recipient of the Special recognition Award.
Wheaton College's Lynn Miller was named New England College Coach of the Year, after her women's team won NEWMAC regular-season and postseason championships in 2010.