SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Mike Woody | Wichita, Kansas (formerly Midland, Midland)
The Northeastern Michigan Tennis Association (NEMTA) is proud to recognize Mike Woody as the Volunteer of the Month. In addition, NEMTA would like to take this opportunity to thank Mike for his volunteer service to the District and USTA/Midwest Section over the years. His passion, dedication, and service to tennis will be missed in Midland and throughout the Midwest. Woody recently stepped down as Executive Director of the Midland Community Tennis Center (MCTC) to pursue a new position in Wichita, Kansas.
Among his USPTA honors, Woody has been named USPTA National Facility Manager of the Year; USPTA Midwest Professional of the Year; USPTA Midwest Facility Manager of the Year two years running, and has contributed to the Midwest USPTA aims through speaking engagements across the country. Woody was inducted into the USPTA/Midwest Division Hall of Fame in 2012.
Woody is a Tennis Industry Association (TIA) National Cardio Tennis Trainer; TIA Advocate of the Year, and USTA National Master Trainer. He played the key leadership role that resulted in Midland being selected the USTA’s inaugural Best Tennis Town in the United States.
In addition to a wide variety of USTA awards, Woody is credited with the growth of the MCTC over the last decade to the largest tennis center in the Midwest, with 40 hard and clay courts; 21 tennis professionals, and about 3,000 members. Woody led the effort to establish the new Paul Oreffice Outdoor Tennis Complex, recognizing the founder of the MCTC, working with local foundations, community leaders and MCTC’s “Friends of Tennis.
On his watch, the MCTC’s competitive juniors have won 17 national junior titles and four state high school championships, featuring players who train at the nationally-recognized MCTC Tennis Academy. Additionally, the MCTC’s USTA Senior Women’s 3.5 placed third in the nationals with coaching by Tennis Center staff.
Woody developed the Dow Corning Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit Event into one of only two $100,000 events on the 90-city USTA/ITF Tour for professional tennis. The Dow Corning Tennis Classic, the longest-running tournament on the schedule, and Michigan’s only major pro tennis, celebrated its 27th anniversary earlier this year.
Locally, Woody is a Junior Achievement “Rising Star” recipient, winner of the Sherry Harrison Spirit of Public Relations Award, and Excellence in Business-Enterprise Award.
The Northeastern Michigan Tennis Association Board and volunteers thank Mike Woody for his service to the sport for a lifetime in Midland throughout the Midwest, and wish him success in his new tennis venture in Wichita.