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The USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) is thrilled to announce the incredible success of its 2026 May Match Point Bingo fundraiser. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, our dedicated Board of Directors raised a phenomenal $52,388 in just 31 days!

These vital funds will directly power our core mission: “We connect the joy of tennis to educational opportunities and enhance the lives of our youth and all persons with disabilities.” By hitting this incredible fundraising milestone, our community has provided the critical resources needed to break down barriers, expand adaptive and youth programming, and bring life-changing opportunities to individuals across the entire Midwest section.

Recognizing Our Foundation Champions & Sponsors

Bringing an ambitious vision like this to life takes an incredible, dedicated community. This massive achievement was made possible by the collective effort of our outstanding board, our supporters, and key partners who stepped up to champion our goals. 

We want to extend a special shout-out to our Anonymous Matching Donors, whose matching funds provided a powerful, motivating boost to our fundraising efforts throughout the entire month of May.

We also want to shine a massive spotlight on our premier sponsors, whose leadership, dedication, and baseline support ensure our foundation can continue to reach higher and expand its impact. A huge, heartfelt thank you to our official 2026 program sponsors:

  • Jim Hendrix and the Racquet Club of Columbus
  • The Newport Family Trust 

Your partnership, leadership, and belief in our mission help make these massive milestones possible for our foundation, our student-athletes, and our adaptive tennis participants. Thank you for helping our NJTL programs Realize the Dream!

While we’ve been busy blacking out our cards this month for our May Match Point Bingo fundraiser here at the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation, our incredible Board Vice President, Tim Ross, took it upon himself to double down on the impact.

Tim recently brought back the legendary 20th Motor City Tennis Classic after a four-year hiatus, hosting it at the Franklin Athletic Club. It was a massive weekend of epic rallies, non-stop laughs, and pure community spirit. But more importantly, thanks to Tim’s leadership and his amazing Detroit team, the tournament raised just over $3,000 directly for us here at MTEF!

We are so lucky to have leaders like Tim who don’t just serve on our board, but actively champion our mission out on the courts.

A Packed House and Long-Distance Legends

Tim and his crew put together an event that people will literally hop on planes for. Former Detroiter Tom Miller traveled all the way from Orlando just to spend the weekend on court, and Ann Dhepin Sombun made the trek up from Indy to compete and join the Detroit organizing team.

With so many familiar faces returning to the court alongside eager newcomers, the vibe was less like a rigid competition and more like a giant celebration of the sport.

“Over 20 years ago when we first organized this, we knew that traveling for a 3-day weekend was expensive,” Tim shared. “We just wanted to provide an inclusive, fun experience. Showing our Motor City Hospitality has and will always be our mission!”

Celebrating Premier Motor City Hospitality

A tournament of this scale thrives on community support, and the hospitality this year was truly next-level. Tim extended a massive thank you to the fantastic lineup of local businesses, partners, and friends who stepped up to keep the players fueled and energized all weekend long:

  • The Event Hosts & Feasts: Ken and Zack for hosting the vibrant Towne Square party, Robert Phelps for providing a spectacular Mediterranean lunch, and Rosati’s Chicago pizza for a classic tournament crowd-pleaser.
  • The Treats: Delightful spreads from Culinary Combo Bakery and non-stop premium treats from Quix Chocolates.
  • The Vital Backing: Special appreciation goes out to Dan Merritthew, Dan Fox, and Mark Buckingham for their invaluable help and support. The event was also proudly supported by USTA National, Southeastern Michigan USTA (SEMTA), Dreams Canna, and long-time tournament partner The Tennis and Golf Company (be sure to visit them online!).
  • Our Home Court: A huge shout-out to the team at the Franklin Athletic Club the facility is top-notch, and the ownership and management are truly the nicest people. Thank you for hosting this event! 

Looking Ahead to 2027

Tim, Ann, Tom, Zack, Mike, and the rest of the Detroit crew are already plotting their next move. To make travel a total breeze for everyone next time, they’ve already promised that the 2027 schedule will be strategically placed so it doesn’t conflict with neighboring tournaments in Toronto, Indy, or Columbus.

A massive thank you to Tim for his incredible dedication to MTEF, and to everyone who played, volunteered, and donated. You are all helping us change lives through tennis and education!

Inspired by Tim and the Motor City Tennis Classic crew? Our May Match Point Bingo may be over, but you can keep this incredible fundraising momentum going, and help us continue supporting youth tennis and education across the Midwest!

Donate to USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation

The 2025 USTA Midwest Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency wasn’t just a celebration; it was a high-octane launchpad of impact for a year of transforming tennis across our section. With 180 of our most valued guests, volunteers, and supporters in the room, we proved that the Midwest is the Best when it comes to combining a mission with massive fun.


The Auction: Small items, Massive Impact

The room was buzzing as we kicked off the year with our Silent Auction. We featured a curated selection of items valued at $3,850 which our donors turned into a fundraising powerhouse. By the end of the night, their generosity transformed that collection into over $10,800 to fuel our 2026 initiatives! 🏆💰

This success, combined with a staggering $24,900 raised through our Hall of Fame Program Book along with our premier and table sponsors, means we are diving into this new year with more momentum than ever.


The “Juiciest” Highlight: Tito’s Tiny Tennis

While the induction was moving, the real energy exploded at the Tito’s Tiny Tennis station! 🍹🏓 Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, this wasn’t your standard table tennis match. Guests ditched the full-sized gear for miniature rackets and tiny balls, proving that even the smallest equipment can lead to the biggest laughs.

Watching our inductees, staff, and volunteers, go head-to-head with these “tiny but mighty” rackets was the highlight of the night. It was the perfect mix of competition and spirit, reminding us that while we take our mission seriously, we never lose our love for the game. Tennis is for all.


2026: Growing Our Midwest Impact

As we charge into this new year, our focus is 100% on growing our impact right here in our own backyard. We are here to:

  • Transform lives through the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation
  • Empower the next generation with more resources and better access to the sport

A massive thank you to our sponsors: Cincinnati Open, Bloomerang, Stifel Pathway Advisory Group, and Woodley Farra, and to USTA Midwest for the opportunity to be here. The ball is in our court, and 2026 is going to be legendary! 🎾🌟

To see the full event photo album visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MidwestTennisFoundation

The USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) is thrilled to announce the success of its 5th consecutive Foundation 500 Board Fundraiser, which raised more than $17,000 in just 31 days. With an additional $15,000 in matching gifts from silent donors, the total fundraising impact will exceed $32,000. This is a true testament to the passion and commitment of the USTA Midwest and MTEF’s board members and supporters.

“This remarkable achievement reflects the deep dedication of our board and the generosity of our extended MTEF family,” said Liz Dickison, Executive Director. “Together, we’re creating greater access to tennis and education for youth across the Midwest.”

Founded in 1992 as the charitable arm of the USTA Midwest Section, MTEF (formerly Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation) has worked to change lives through tennis and education. The Foundation places a special emphasis on engaging diverse youth from all cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds providing a positive, structured environment to learn the game of tennis and build life skills.

The annual Foundation 500 initiative is powered by board members who dedicate their time and efforts to raise critical funds in support of MTEF’s mission. These contributions help provide scholarships for young athletes, fund community programs, and support tennis-based youth development efforts across the region.

In 2017, MTEF expanded its mission to include adult populations through programming such as Adaptive Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis, and Wounded Warriors, further extending the reach and impact of the Foundation’s work.

MTEF would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all board members, donors, and silent supporters who helped make this year’s campaign a resounding success. Your generosity brings tennis, and its lifelong benefits, to those who need it most.

What gift can you give this holiday season to the tennis enthusiast that has everything?

A brick or paver on the USTA’s Avenue of Aces at the US Open! Your gift will not only be unique, but can support a great cause – USTA/MTEF. When you purchase a brick or paver, 80% of your donation can be directed to the Foundation.

Money raised from the pavers will help the USTA/MTEF fund grants and scholarships to youth and disabled adults, including veterans, participating in wheelchair and adaptive tennis.

The Avenue of Aces is an eye-catching stretch of engraved pavers designed to connect individuals’ passion for tennis to the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Legendary US Open Champions each have a personalized paver that anchors their own “neighborhood” on the Avenue. When purchasing a brick or paver, you get to select the neighborhood of your choice based upon current availability.

Bricks start at $1,000 and can be:

  • In honor of someone
  • In recognition of someone
  • Or list an individual name or corporation/organization name

To make sure that 80% of your donation is given to the USTA/MTEF, please make the following note is in the comment box:

80% to go to the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation

More information regarding the brick and paver program is available through the order form and policies below.

Please contact Director of Development, Heather Brownell at brownell@midwest.usta.com with questions.

Get ready to celebrate! We need you to help us honor the 2017 USTA/Midwest Section Tennis Hall of Fame inductees through your support of the USTA/Midwest Tennis and Education Foundation. The 2017 inductees will be recognized during a banquet on Friday, February 2, 2018, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2017 distinguished honorees are:

  • Joe Bachmann, Sarasota, Florida (formerly of Columbus, Ohio)
  • Ronald A. Brooks, Ft. Myers, Florida (formerly of Michigan City, Ind.)
  • Luke Jensen, Atlanta, Georgia (formerly of Ludington, Mich.)
  • Murphy Jensen, Seattle, Washington (formerly of Ludington, Mich.)

You can make a difference and support the Foundation in one of the following two ways:

  • NEW! Become a presenting sponsor of the 2017 USTA/Midwest Section Tennis Hall of Fame. Besides receiving all the benefits of sponsorship, presenting organizations and individuals will have an opportunity to have a private meet and greet session with former pro players and USTA/Midwest Section Tennis Hall of Fame inductees Murphy and Luke Jensen! Please CLICK HERE to see the attached sponsorship information. You may also CLICK HERE to purchase your sponsorship online via our secure system.
  • Purchase a congratulatory message which will be printed in the Hall of Fame program, and congratulate these extraordinary individuals on their contributions to tennis. These funds directly support the Foundation. We can even help you craft your special message! Please CLICK HERE to see the attached program book form. To purchase your message using our secure online system CLICK HERE.

Since 1992, the mission of the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation has been to “develop the life skills of youth through tennis and education.” In 2017, the Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in grants to local community programs and individual junior tennis players of all abilities and scholarships to high school seniors. Now, our mission has expanded to include disabled veterans and adults with physical and mental challenges participating in adaptive and wheelchair tennis programs. Your support is vital to continue to impact lives through tennis! Please help the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation continue to change lives in 2018.

The holidays are right around the corner! You can support the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation when you shop online at Amazon. Through their AmazonSmile program, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Foundation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Be sure to bookmark the link below so that all of your eligible shopping will benefit the Foundation this holiday season.

LINK: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/35-1875466

The USTA/Midwest Tennis and Education Foundation is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! To commemorate this special milestone and recognize the great work the Foundation has done to support local community youth programs and junior tennis players of all abilities throughout the Midwest, a special Generations of Greatness celebration will take place Friday, August 18 in Mason, Ohio in conjunction with the prestigious Western & Southern Open.

This event will serve to raise funds for the Foundation by including a silent auction. During 2017, the Foundation is expanding its mission to service adult populations which included Adaptive, Wheelchair Tennis and Disabled Veterans. We invite you to show your support by donating an item(s). Do you have extra sporting event tickets or other special event or concert passes? How about any autographed memorabilia or sports equipment you’d be willing to donate? Popular silent auction items also include themed gift baskets, wine packages, jewelry, gift certificates and even vacation destinations.

CLICK HERE to donate an item and submit the details. Remember, all proceeds generated from the silent auction will benefit the foundation and support its mission.

Approximately 200 guests will be celebrating with us this August. Help us provide a great selection of items on which to bid – and show your support of the foundation – by donating an item today!

DONATE AUCTION ITEM

Charter Champions

Last Row: Alan Schwartz, John Powless, Ron Brooks, Rick Ferman

Middle Row: Jim Farley, Pat Freebody, Sally Lugar

Front Row: Ed Nussel, Bobbie Farley, George Grisdale, Barbara Wynne

On Saturday, January 28 the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (USTA/MTEF) kicked off the yearlong celebration of the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary by honoring the 35 founding members, known as the Charter Champions. Through their generous philanthropy, leadership and vision, the Charter Champions established the philanthropic arm of the USTA/Midwest Section.

The event also recognized two special volunteers of the foundation, Laurie Covert and Jay Hacker, for their instrumental roles within the organization over the years. Attending the event were the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Charter Champions and their spouses, family members of deceased Charter Champions, special guests and Foundation staff.

One of the highlights of the evening was a video presentation. The video presentation told the story of the Charter Champions and how the Foundation was created through their insight and forethought. Following the video presentation, a plaque honoring the Charter Champions and listing each individual’s name was presented to be hung in the Midwest Section Hall of Fame.

“Without the passion and commitment of the 35 Charter Champions,” said Foundation President Violet Clark, “The Foundation would not be where it is today. Their commitment to tennis and education continue to impact the lives of many and future generations to come.”

To commemorate the evening, group photos were taken. Jay Hacker, a past Foundation board president then led a tour of the USTA/Midwest facilities which are owned by the Foundation.

Plans are currently underway to commemorate the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary in conjunction with the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio on Friday, August 18. More details about this exciting event will be available in the coming months.

USTA/MTEF CHARTER CHAMPIONS VIDEO

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The Avenue of Aces is an eye-catching stretch of engraved pavers designed to connect individuals’ passion for tennis to the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Legendary US Open Champions each have a personalized paver that anchors their own “Neighborhood” on the Avenue, supporting the important work of the USTA Foundation.

To get started, choose a Champion’s Neighborhood at the USTA Foundation website.. You will then be taken to an online order form to select your brick or paver type and size. From there, PLEASE MENTION THE USTA/MIDWEST TENNIS AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION IN THE COMMENTS TO SEND 80% BACK TO OUR FOUNDATION!

BUY A BRICK PAVER

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