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Please Scroll to the Bottom of the Page for Information on the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame
2007 USTA Kentucky Award Winners Named
Congratulations to this year's award winners and nominees! The quality of nominations for this year's awards was outstanding, making for difficult decisions in virtually every category. Award winners will be recognized at the annual USTA Kentucky Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 6 p.m. at Standard Country Club in Louisville. A very special thank you to those of you who took the time to nominate and individual, event, or organization - we truly appreciate it and look forward to your nominees for next year!
Adult Player of the Year
Presented to a ranked adult player who has excelled in his/her tennis performance and sportsmanship.
Henry Baughman, Smithfield
Junior Player of the Year
Presented to an outstanding Kentucky junior player ranked in the boys or girls 18 and Under Division, in recognition of their tennis performance and sportsmanship.
Eric Quigley, Peewee Valley
Volunteer of the Year
Presented to a person who has volunteered his/her time and services in an exemplary way to assist with USTA Kentucky functions and to grow the game of tennis.
Jack Barton, Louisville
Mark Ragland, Junior Sportsmanship
Given in memory of Mark Ragland, Jr. and presented to an outstanding male junior in recognition of his tennis performance and good sportsmanship.
Phillip Arndt, Lancaster
Girls Junior Sportsmanship
Presented to an outstanding female junior player in recognition of her tennis performance and good sportsmanship.
Samantha Maddox, Lexington
Boy’s and Girl’s Scholastic Achievement
Presented to both a male and female high school senior tennis player who has excelled in their scholastic work.
Geoffrey Wallace, Morgantown
Hannah English, Louisville
Educational Merit Award
Recognizes an individual who has developed an outstanding tennis program that provides leadership and inspiration in junior programs for schools, colleges, parks and playgrounds, and benefits the growth of tennis.
Debra Jackson, Berea
Most Improved Girl and Boy
Given to the junior players, one boy and girl, who has made significant improvements in his/her ranking and overall tennis game.
Brad Merchant, Frankfort
Elise Decamp, Lexington
Dee Dee Long Spirit Award
Given in memory of Dee Dee Long and presented to an individual who best exhibits exemplary volunteer spirit throughout the USTA League Tennis program.
Margaret Gustafson, Louisville
Family of the Year
Presented to a family who has been outstanding in their involvement and promotion of tennis.
The True Family, Bowling Green
Coach of the Year
Presented to an individual who has excelled in guiding and managing a scholastic tennis team.
Kevin Calhoun, Georgetown
Paulette Griffith Local League Coordinator Award
Given in memory of Paulette Griffith and presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellent leadership and management of a local USTA league or program.
Mickey East, Purchase Area
Tennis Official of the Year
Presented to a tennis official who has made outstanding contributions to the cause of tennis officiating in Kentucky.
Kim Angermeier, Henderson
Tennis Professional of the Year
Presented to a USPTA or USPTR Certified tennis professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in teaching the game of tennis.
Joanne Moore Wallen, Lexington
Tennis Facility of the Year
Given to an outstanding public or private tennis facility for its contribution and support in the promotion of tennis.
The Louisville Boat Club
Member Organization / Community Tennis Association of the Year
Presented to a USTA Kentucky member organization for outstanding service to the local community, to the organization members, and to the game of tennis.
Henderson Tennis Club
Special Tennis Event of the Year
Presented to a special tennis event that has been exemplary in the promotion and support of tennis.
Berea Future Champ Camp
Adult and Junior Tournaments of the Year
One Adult and one Junior USTA sanctioned tournament that have been exemplary in demonstrating the USTA standards of organizing and conducting a sanctioned tournament.
Kentucky Closed Clay, Louisville
Stuart Blazer Championship, Ashland
Charity Event of the Year
Presented to a tennis event that donates its proceeds towards a philanthropic cause.
State Line Tournament, Hopkinsville
Team Tennis Event of the Year
Presented to an event that demonstrates outstanding execution of a team event.
Tennis on Campus State Event
Media Award
Presented to an individual who has contributed to the game of tennis by spreading information to the general public.
News Enterprise, Elizabethtown
Special Recognition-5.0W National League Champions
Scanlan Team, Louisville
USTA Kentucky Hall of Fame
Congratulations to our 2007 Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees!
Their extensive tennis accomplishments on the court and in the organization of tennis in Kentucky have yielded them this great honor.
Mr. Richard Benson is being honored for his numerous tennis accomplishments and contributions to Kentucky tennis. He was a touring professional from 1990 to 1994 and held an ATP World Ranking of #138 in doubles, and won the Wolfsburg Germany Challenger doubles event in 1994. After leaving the pro circuit, he coached aspiring professional tennis players including current touring pro – Jan-Michael Gambill. In 2000 he worked as a volunteer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) where he coached and led a traveling team of college players throughout the mid-west. In addition, he conducted a youth camp for 12 to 18 year olds in Santa Barbara, California. During the past 11 years Mr. Benson has served as General Manager of Tenni-Trac Sports Surfaces and has achieved the designation of “Certified Tennis Court Builder” from the United States Tennis Court & Track Builders Association.
Honors and awards held by Mr. Benson include the 2004 Southern Senior Cup – Men’s 35’s Division Team Championship, a number one ranking in the Kentucky Men’s Open Singles & Doubles in 2001,
Three time Tennis All-American, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Outstanding Athlete at the University of Kentucky in 1987, 1988 and 1989. He was a member of the United States Tennis Team at the World University Games in Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
Mr. Joe Kroh is being recognized for his outstanding twenty-plus years of coaching. In addition he has made numerous contributions to both St. Xavier High School and the greater Louisville community. His impressive team record of 300 wins and 33 losses is one of the best in the history of Kentucky High School tennis. Joe has amassed an incredible 7 undefeated seasons, 11 State championship teams, 19 consecutive Regional team championships, 3 State singles champions and 7 State doubles champions.
Kroh coached Kentucky Junior Davis Cup and Federation Cup, as well as serving 17 years as the Tournament Director for the Kentucky Boys’ High School Championships. 21 All State players have developed under his tutelage and over 30 players have gone on to play in various college programs. His individual accomplishments include being named 1989 and 1991 High School Coach of the Year for the South, 1995 Kentucky High School Coach of the Year, 1996 Kentucky Tennis Association Coach of the Year and 1996 National Federation Interscholastic Coach of the Year.
Ms. Laura Martin has an extensive list of tennis accomplishments. She began her competitive tennis career in 1973, playing the Metro Parks tennis camps, winning the Tournament of Champions and ending that summer ranked # 7 in the Kentucky Girls 14 and under. She continued her success in 1974 and 1975 while playing in Southern and National Tournaments resulting in a # 1 ranking in the Girls 16 and Under, and ranked # 8 in Southern’s 16 and Under. Martin was ranked # 1 in the Kentucky Girls 18’s in 1976 and # 2 in 1977. During those two years she was runner-up in the Kentucky High School Championships, won the Kentucky high school regional’s and won the Southern Girls 18 doubles. She went on to represent Kentucky in the Southern Section Jr. Wightman Cup.
She also played for the University of South Carolina from 1977 – 1978 and competed for 3 years on the Avon Futures Satellite Circuit. In 1981 and 1982 she played for Middle Tennessee State and was voted OVC Player of the Year. In addition, she won the Tennessee College State Tournament and finished Middle Tennessee State with an impressive 81 – 2 record. Martin returned to Kentucky in 1983 and for the next several years taught junior, adult and team clinics, organized summer tennis camps, developed Jr. tennis programs, coached women’s team tennis, conducted the Southern Jr. Thanksgiving Tournament and the Derby Classic Tournament. She has worked with Louisville Indoor Racquet Club (LIRC) with Marilyn Rueff, and Blairwood Tennis & Fitness Club with Curly Davis.
View all Current Members of the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame
Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame Selection Criteria
- Must be a minimum of 25 years of age.
- Must be a resident of Kentucky for a minimum of 10 years.
- May be a player, coach, organizer or referee / umpire.
The Hall of Fame Committee may induct up to three persons per year. To be elected a candidate must receive more than one-half of the votes possible by the committee. If you wish to submit a nomination, please send a cover letter and supporting documentation of the candidate to the USTA Kentucky office by April 15 for the year in which the nominee is to be considered.
Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame History (pdf)
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