USTA CENTRAL ARIZONA2016 HALL OF FAME

AWARDS & BANQUET

HALL OF FAME Recognizing outstanding contributions to USTA Central Arizona

Mort Stone came to Phoenix in 1963 from New York and shortly thereafter bought West Side Tennis Club with its 4 tennis courts. Mort’s focus was developing junior players. His significant impact on junior tennis spanned nearly 25 years producing many outstanding junior players. Noteworthy were Bruce Nichols (NCAA Doubles champion and ATP player), Stephanie Tolleson (NCAA singles Champion and WTA tour player and IMG Corporate Vice President), Johnnie Levine (NCAA All American and ATP tour player with highest singles ranking of 120). Other notables were Charlie Johnson, Stuart Keller, Todd Mason, Gary Sauer, Chip Tolleson. When Bruce was a young teen, Mort would put together a team of his juniors and they actually beat some of the local junior college teams.

Mort Stone was known for a friendly disposition but no nonsense on the court. He demanded the best effort from his players at all times. Mort was quoted “I beat their brains out, but as I said they work their hearts out and they deserve all the accolades they get. Clarke Rorbach recalls receiving a phone call one from Mort on a windy afternoon when Clarke decided to stay home due to the wind. Mort told Clarke to get right over to practice—“How are you going to get good if you don’t practice in the wind?” Clarke has had some of his best wins on windy days.

Mort Stone also volunteered his time to umpiring as he was called on to chair matches in the venerable Thunderbirds Phoenix Open. One summer he went to Africa to visit his daughter Wendy and conducted free clinics to local kids. He found his calling, a keen desire to help juniors learn this great game. Mort Stone’s children Wendy, Robert, Blair, and Vicki were also outstanding tennis players.

MORT STONE

2015 ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONYRecognizing outstanding contributions to USTA Central Arizona

ADULT PLAYER OF THE YEAR:KELLY DAVIDSONOutstanding adult player who has high achieve-ments for the year in Central Arizona, the Southwest Section, or Nationally. FAMILY OF THE YEAR:GREG HING FAMILYTo an outstanding family in the Central Arizona area who volunteers, plays and promotes tennis in a positive way. HEAD/PENN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD:SAVANNAH SLAYSMANA junior player who not only displays the finest qualities of sportsmanship during tournament play, but who also demonstrates exemplary conduct away from the court as well. ALL ABOUT TENNIS JUNIORFEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:KYLIE MCKENZIEFor outstanding accomplishments on and off the court. These players have demonstrated significant achievement throughout the year. ALL ABOUT TENNIS JUNIORMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:NATHAN PONWITHFor outstanding accomplishments on and off the court. These players have demonstrated significant achievement throughout the year. MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:SURPRISE TENNIS AND RACQUET COMPLEXTo an outstanding organization who shows out-standing service to the local tennis community and individual members.

HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR:SHELLEY DINGESTo recognize a high school coach who is making a difference in the lives of juniors through a high school tennis program. SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDFEMALE 12-14:SAVANNA KOLLOCKTo an outstanding girl in the 12-14 age division. SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDMALE 12-14:JACK SWENSONTo an outstanding boy in the 12-14 age division. MARILYN BYRON FEMALESPORTSMANSHIP AWARD 16-18:JASMINE CABALLEROFor outstanding sportsmanship demonstrated by a girl in the 16-18 age division. JOHN GOODING MALESPORTSMANSHIP AWARD 16-18:ADAM OSCISLAWSKIFor outstanding sportsmanship demonstrated by a boy in the 16-18 age division. DISCOUNT TIRE SCHOOLSINSTRUCTOR AWARD:MATT LEVYOutstanding parent captain who not only helps organize and promote the growth of JTT but who also instills great sportsmanship in his/her players

USTA LEAGUE CAPTAIN OF THE YEAR: LUCIE EITMANTTo a player who has organized, recruited and captained league teams while maintaining a competitive and fun environment for all teams.

2015 ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONYRecognizing outstanding contributions to USTA Central Arizona

LEAGUE CAPTAIN - SERVICE AWARDS:KATHERINE BAKERCHARLES SIMMONSJANE JOHNSON

PRESIDENT’S AWARDMARK CORONADOTo recognize outstanding support to USTA Central Arizona.

USTA CENTRAL ARIZONALOCAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSAARON GOMEZARUN THIRUGNANASAMBANDAM*BUFF BERGCAROLEE WILLIAMSCEOLA COASTONCHARLIE SIMMONSCINDY BLUMLCINDY STONEMAN*CYNTHIA SHAWDIEGO SAMANIEGOJAMIE BUTERBAUGH**JAY HEARSHMAN*JOHN RADCLIFFE*KAREN TAYLORKATHERINE BAKERKEN STANLEY*KIM KOHLHASE*KIM DEVERLEO LAPANE*LUCIE EITMANT *^MAGESH KANNAPPAN*MIKE FLINNNATHAN BRELSFORDPATTI GONZALES*ROBERT CARLTONROGER STEVENS*RUSS TERAO*STEPHEN SNIDERSUSAN MARTYYOLANDA VELASCO

* SECTIONAL CHAMPION^ NATIONAL CHAMPION