The 2013 USTA/Midwest Fall Award Winners have been announced. Congratulations to George Grisdale, Mel Bergman Award Winner, Chuck and Mary Norman Family, Family of the Year Award Winner; and Cincinnati Recreation Commission, NJTL of the Year Award Winner. The Fall Award Winners will be honored at a banquet on December 6 in downtown Chicago. The event is part of the USTA/Midwest Section Annual Meeting, Charity Gala benefiting the Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation, and USTA/Midwest Section Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Mel Bergman Award
George Grisdale has been serving tennis as a volunteer for more than 20 years at the USTA National, Section and District levels. Grisdale served as the Southeastern Michigan Tennis Association Executive Director in the 1990s. He also served on the District Board and several committees. Grisdale has been instrumental in recruiting volunteers into giving back to the lifetime sport of tennis.
Grisdale currently serves as a member of the USTA/Midwest Section Bylaws Committee. Grisdale began his service to the USTA/Midwest Section as the Adult Competition Committee Chairman in the 1990s. He has been a member of several committees over the years including: Adult Recreation, Communications, Advocacy and Grants, Adult Competition, Information Technology and Nominating.
Grisdale was an active member of USTA National Committees for several years. He has volunteered at the US Open Membership Booth for the past 15 years during the US Open Championships held each year in Flushing, New York, and enjoys talking about and sharing his love for tennis.
In addition to his volunteer role, Grisdale has been an active player in the USTA League program over the years. He has enjoyed playing and recruiting players for the USTA/Midwest Section Senior Team Championships held annually which bring together top tennis competition from throughout the Midwest.
The USTA/Midwest Section's most prestigious award, The Mel Bergman Award, is given in recognition of continuous and distinguished service to the USTA/Midwest Section in an unselfish, dedicated manner for ten years or more. Mel Bergman, an extremely dedicated volunteer, was a President of the USTA/Midwest Section who served on the USTA Executive Committee.
Family of the Year Award
The Chuck Norman Family has promoted and perpetuated the development of tennis in the Northeastern Ohio District. Chuck currently serves on the Northeastern Ohio Tennis Association Board of Directors. He assists coaching junior tennis players at a local tennis facility. Chuck is a current USTA League player and inter-club league player, and volunteers at local tennis events.
Mary, Chuck’s wife, volunteers with the local USTA Jr. Team Tennis program. She also assisted with the Northeastern Ohio District USTA Jr. Team Tennis Championships. Mary is a USTA League captain and player, and has helped with various local projects.
Their children Irene and Chas are active tennis players. Both children are USTA tournament players, and participate in the USTA Jr. Team Tennis program in their area. They volunteer at their local club by cleaning the clay courts, supporting local racquet collection fundraisers, and hit with younger players in various classes. Irene and Chas served as ball runners for a senior tennis tournament held this past summer in their community.
The Family of the Year Award is presented annually to the family in the USTA/Midwest Section that has contributed the most toward tennis through the years. The family members are all involved in tennis, serving their local area or district in promoting and perpetuating the development of tennis on all levels.
NJTL of the Year Award
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission was founded in 1927, and fosters the belief that all children should have the opportunity to learn the sport for a lifetime. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission's National Junior Tennis & Learning program was started in 1973. During the past few years the Cincinnati Recreation Commission’s eight-week free summer program has reached over 500 children at nine locations around the greater Cincinnati area.
In addition to the Cincinnati Recreation Commission receiving funding from the city to offer its summer program, several donors annually make a contribution including the Western & Southern Open tournament held in Mason, Ohio. The tournament has provided the Cincinnati Recreation Commission with a donation to help fund the program the past 22 years. The funding has enabled the program to obtain 10 and Under Tennis equipment including smaller sized nets, racquets and balls for the younger children. The funding also helps fund the instructors and coaches, nutritional and health information, participant t-shirts, and bus transportation for Kids’ Day and matches during the Western & Southern Open tournament
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission offers tournaments, leagues, clinics and lessons. Its programming is more than tennis and includes creating compassionate citizens ho make positive contributions to society. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission was previously awarded the USTA/Midwest National Junior Tennis and Learning Program of the Year Award in 2001.