The 2013 USTA/Midwest Hall of Fame Induction, Awards Ceremony and Charity Gala was a special evening. The event was held last month in Chicago with more than 300 attendees taking part in the celebration. Check out some of the great photos captured during the evening.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King and USTA volunteer Jon Vegosen were enshrined into the USTA/Midwest Hall of Fame. As one of the most celebrated tennis players in history, and one of the 20th century's most respected women, King has dedicated her life to breaking barriers both on and off the tennis court. Vegosen has served as a volunteer at all levels of the USTA, including as Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA. He currently serves on the USTA Board of Directors and is Chairman of the USTA Major Construction Oversight Committee and the Past Presidents Committee. In addition, he is serving a second term on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Board and has served on, or as Chair of, several ITF Committees and as an ITF Vice President. Check out more about our Hall of Fame inductees.
Three USTA/Midwest awards were also presented during the evening. George Grisdale from Birmingham, Mich., received the prestigious Mel Bergman award. The Chuck Norman Family from Aurora, Ohio, was honored as the Family of the Year. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission from Cincinnati, Ohio, received the NJTL of the Year award. Check out more about each of our award winners.
The Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation held its Annual Charity Gala in conjunction with the Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony. Preliminary figures for the amount raised during the Charity Gala are approximately $60,000. The proceeds raised during the evening are channeled into the Foundation to achieve its mission ‘to develop the life skills of youth through tennis and education’. The Foundation awards grants to junior players helping them achieve their goals. One of our grant recipients who attended the Charity Gala shared with the attendees how the grant has assisted him, and mailed us a thank you letter. Our Foundation is excited to make a difference in changing the lives of our youth.
The Charity Gala included a silent auction with close to 100 items spanning sporting tickets, tennis equipment, memorabilia, and more. A special thank you to the USTA/Midwest Section District offices which each contributed a basket to the silent auction. A live auction was held with trips to the Indianapolis 500, Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, and excursion to Belize. A program book was also produced with individuals and organizations purchasing ads to honor the award winners and Hall of Fame inductees.
Thank you to several individuals and organizations who financially funded portions of the evening. Wilson Sporting Goods provided the cocktail reception held at the beginning of the evening. Eric and Bev Wentz provided the table centerpieces and evening decorations. Also, thank you to everyone who purchased tables to the event.