The USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (USTA MTEF) is celebrating a major national milestone! Both Vice President Tim Ross and USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation, have been awarded the prestigious USTA 35×35 President’s Impact Award.
This national honor recognizes 35 standout individuals and organizations nationwide who have transformed community tennis over the past two years. Aligned with the USTA’s strategy to reach 35 million players by 2035! The award celebrates grassroots leaders who champion inclusion, expand access, and inspire players of all ages.
Honoring Our Executive Leadership
Tim Ross (Vice President): Honored for his commitment to grassroots tennis growth. Through his work with the Motor City Tennis Classic, the Greater Detroit Tennis Patrons Foundation, and service across USTA levels, Ross has been a key force for community tennis.
USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF): Founded in 1992, the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) is dedicated to supporting youth programs, providing educational grants and scholarships, and creating inclusive tennis opportunities for players of all backgrounds and abilities across the Midwest.
National Recognition at the US Open
As part of the award recognition, Ross, and MTEF will receive certificates of appreciation signed by USTA President Brian Vahaly. Additionally, both leaders have been invited to receive their official awards inside the President’s Suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during US Open Fan Week in Flushing Meadows, New York.
This joint recognition reflects a remarkable milestone for the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation, as it continues its mission to enrich lives, and build stronger communities through tennis and education.
Tennis is about more than just a racquet hitting a ball; it’s the ultimate training ground for the relationships that define who we become. This isn’t just a “tennis story” it’s a testament to how the heat of competition can spark a lifelong bond between teammates.
We are continuing our journey with David Packowitz, a man currently shaping the future of the sport through his career at Wilson. But to see what drives David’s competitive spirit, you have to meet the guy who has been his right-hand man since they were kids: Ross Putterman.
The Match That Started It All
Growing up in Chicago, Ross and David were local titans who spent years orbiting the same tournament circles, constantly hearing whispers of the other’s talent before finally colliding on the courts at McFetridge Sports Center.
While they started out living fifteen minutes apart, the real shift happened when David was twelve. He moved to a house just two minutes away from Ross, right near a set of tennis courts at the end of the block. From that point on, they spent the majority of their youth as neighbors, meeting at those courts to play every single week.
Ross still remembers the nerves. David was the veteran with the upper hand, but that day, the momentum shifted. Ross walked off the court with a 6-1, 6-1 victory and a newfound sense of confidence.
“I walked away feeling pretty unstoppable,” Ross says with a laugh. “But come to find out, I only beat David because he was playing with a broken finger from a rollerblading incident. That’s David for you, always a daredevil, and always refusing to sit out.”
While that first win felt definitive, their head-to-head record remained roughly even throughout their careers. Despite their talent, they never actually liked playing against one another. Whenever friends asked the inevitable question… “Who’s better?” The two refused to answer. For them, there wasn’t always a clear winner, and they weren’t willing to let a competitive rivalry jeopardize their friendship.
That lopsided score didn’t create a rivalry; it sparked an instant connection. What started as a fluke victory became the foundation for a bond that has weathered the last two decades.
More Than a Partner: The “Pack and Putt” Era
David quickly became much more than just a competitor across the net. He became the doubles partner, the teammate, and eventually, the “Pack” to Ross’s “Putt”. Their duo became so well-known on the circuit that it turned into a local trademark; at games, people would constantly approach them to ask, “Which one is Pack and which one is Putt?” To lean into the fun, they started wearing matching shirts in different colors to every meet and tournament they attended.
In the high-pressure world of junior tennis, where the grind of travel and constant training can often feel like a solo mission, Ross and David found their anchor in each other. They weren’t just practicing together; they were a force on the doubles court. Over their high school career, they put up a staggering 100-5 IHSA record, and likely played another 100+ USTA doubles matches together outside of school.
Ross credits David as the reason he stayed in the game as long as he did. Having a best friend who understood the hustle, and shared the same uniform for hundreds of matches, made every hour of hard work worth it. That shared experience transformed the individual “grind” into a team effort that defined their youth.
A Friendship Without Borders
Now, over 20 years later, the rollerblading injuries are a distant memory. While David drives innovation at Wilson in Chicago,and Ross builds his life in Minneapolis, living states away has naturally changed their “weekly play” schedule. They may only get to suit up for a match together when they are in the same city, but that hasn’t slowed down their love for the game. Ross still hits the courts in his downtime as much as possible, keeping his game sharp for the next time the duo reunites.
“Ross and I shared an incredible journey together. A true stroke of luck that we lived so close and loved the same sport. Singles was fun and rewarding at tournaments but knowing that Ross and I would take the court later in the day is what I really looked forward to. Win or lose, we always knew had most didn’t, brotherhood.”
-David Packowitz
Even with the distance, they always make time for their friendship. From childhood courts in Chicago to hiking trips in Utah, they remain a team. They serve as a living reminder: The greatest trophy you can win in this sport isn’t made of silver; it’s the person standing next to you in the photo.
At the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation, we are building more than just athletes; we are building roots for a stronger tomorrow. We are proving that on these courts, everyone can find their team.
This week, coaches, community leaders, and youth development advocates from across Illinois gathered in Springfield for the inaugural Advocacy Day. Organizations serving communities from Chicago’s South Side to rural Illinois stood together with one unified message: sport changes lives. For more than 34 years, partners like Love To Serve and the Central Illinois Tennis Association have worked alongside the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) to create safe spaces, build leadership, and provide young people access to opportunity through tennis and education programming.
Through the support of Laureus Sport for Good USA, MTEF has been able to significantly expand this impact across the state. By serving as a critical intermediary for grassroots organizations, we have helped activate over 20 community sites and serve more than 15,000 youth. With over $474,000 invested through 2025, MTEF continues to bridge cultural divides and provide equitable opportunities for marginalized groups, including youth in R3 zones, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ youth.
Hearing these success stories shared directly with State Representatives and Senators was powerful and deeply personal. We saw firsthand how sport is used as an intentional tool for violence prevention, mentorship, and social-emotional learning. This work is about much more than tennis; it is about building confidence, resilience, and hope in the next generation of leaders.
We are deeply grateful to every coach, partner, including Lori James and the team from Love to Serve, and Sonthana Thongsithavong from the Central Illinois Tennis Association, and advocate who shared their voice in Springfield. Together, we are building stronger communities, one child, one court, and one conversation at a time.
In Dayton, we’re proving that the best medicine isn’t always found in a doctor’s office, sometimes, it’s found on a tennis court.
Tennis Aces Cancer is a special partnership between the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) and the Beavercreek Clay Courts Tennis Club. Together, we are helping local residents turn a cancer diagnosis into a new chapter of strength.
Why Tennis?
For someone fighting cancer, life can start to feel like a series of appointments. Tennis offers a way to reclaim your strength and your social life. In fact, research shows that tennis is the healthiest sport you can play, adding nearly 10 years to your life expectancy. It’s about:
Physical Healing: Rebuilding balance, flexibility, and agility through natural movement.
Mental Strength: Focusing on a cross-court shot instead of a medical scan.
New Friendships: Joining a community of people who truly understand your journey.
The Facts: How the Grant Works
We want to make it as easy as possible to get started. The Tennis Aces Cancer Grant is a straightforward resource for the Dayton community:
The Amount: Up to $300 per person.
Who Can Apply: Patients, survivors, and caregivers of all ages in the Dayton, Ohio area.
What It Covers:
Professional tennis lessons (to learn or relearn the game).
Essential gear (new racquets, shoes, and apparel).
Court time at local facilities.
USTA Membership fees.
When to Apply: The grant is open year-round. There is no “deadline” we are here whenever you are ready.
A New Way to Live
You don’t need to be a “pro” to join us. In fact, most of our participants are looking for exactly what you might be: a fresh start and a supportive place to be active. Whether you’ve played for years or have never picked up a racquet, the Beavercreek Clay Courts are a place where you belong.
This past weekend, the USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) had the incredible opportunity to attend the USTA Foundation Impact Conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
USTA Midwest Section and USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation Staff
The event was a powerful immersion into the world of tennis and a testament to how the USTA Foundation transforms lives and communities nationwide. Beyond the sessions and lectures, the conference served as a vital hub for unlocking deeper connections with national staff, dedicated volunteers, and leaders from Community Tennis Associations (CTAs) and National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters.
Realizing the Dream
A central highlight of the weekend was the launch of the “Realize the Dream” campaign, a partnership between the USTA Foundation and the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
This movement is rooted in the historic connection between Dr. King and tennis legend Arthur Ashe. In February 1968, Dr. King wrote a powerful letter to a young Lt. Ashe, commending his “support and solidarity in the fight for justice” and noting that his eminence in sports gave him an added measure of authority and responsibility.
Inspired by this legacy, the “Realize the Dream” campaign aims to:
Promote Service: Encourage acts of service that build dignity and unity.
Goal Setting: Contribute to a national goal of 100 million service hours by Dr. King’s 100th birthday in 2029.
USTA Commitment: The USTA Foundation has pledged 800,000 service hours by the end of 2026 through the NJTL network.
Building a Stronger Tomorrow
For MTEF, this conference was about more than just big ideas; it was about bringing those ideas back home. By strengthening our ties with NJTLs and CTAs, we are fostering growth from within our own foundations. We are committed to using these new connections and the spirit of the “Realize the Dream” campaign to build deeper roots in the Midwest, ensuring a stronger, more inclusive tomorrow for the youth we serve.
CLEVELAND (Sept. 4, 2025) — The USTA Foundation has announced the launch of its first Community Impact Hub initiative, and two Midwest organizations, Advantage Cleveland Tennis and Education and the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation, are among just 10 programs nationwide selected for the honor.
The designation comes with a multi-million-dollar national investment aimed at expanding tennis in under-resourced communities and using the sport as a catalyst for education, mentorship and family engagement. Out of more than 270 National Junior Tennis & Learning programs across the country, the 10 chosen hubs will serve as models for how to grow access to tennis and strengthen community ties through the game.
“This is a huge win for the Midwest,” said Liz Deegan, executive director of AdvantageCLE. “We’re honored to be one of the first Community Impact Hubs, and this funding will allow us to introduce more kids and families to tennis while also expanding opportunities in schools, coach training and community court access.”
National coverage of the announcement included a Forbes article highlighting how the USTA Foundation’s $6 million investment will help refurbish courts, recruit coaches and reach more than 630,000 young people and families nationwide by 2027.
For the Midwest, the recognition of both Cleveland and Cincinnati shines a spotlight on the region’s growing role in shaping the future of tennis. AdvantageCLE has long been known for combining tennis with academics and mentorship while similarly, theCincinnati Tennis Foundation has built community programs that blend athletic growth with educational support.
“This is about more than tennis, it’s about breaking down barriers,” said Jenna Alfieri, academic program director at AdvantageCLE. “By investing in young people, families and coaches, we’re creating a pipeline of opportunity that will change lives in Cleveland and beyond.”
The Community Impact Hubs initiative will focus on four areas:
Tennis in schools: Expanding free and low-cost programming to bring tennis into classrooms and after-school programs.
Family engagement: Encouraging parents and children to learn, play and grow together.
Coach training: Developing a diverse pipeline of certified coaches to mentor the next generation.
Court access: Investing in improvements that make safe, well-maintained courts available to all.
The recognition of two Midwest hubs underscores the region’s leadership in expanding access to youth sports. USTA Midwest officials are encouraging community members to follow AdvantageCLE and the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation on social media to track their progress with the grant.
With the support of the USTA Foundation, both organizations are positioned to expand the role of tennis in young people’s lives.
On August 10th, we came together at Sonder Brewing in Mason, Ohio, for our vibrant 2025 Pride Event. This was an inclusive celebration honoring the LGBTQ+ community with giveaways, delicious food, live D.J., refreshing brews, and Red Ball tennis. USTA Midwest offered both a giveaway featuring a gift bag loaded with USTA gear and a sweepstakes where we gave away a signed Billie Jean King tennis ball.
Signed Billie Jean King ball for sweepstakes.
Our event highlighted Red Ball Tennis, an all inclusive game everyone can play, whatever age, and whatever skill level because Red ball is larger and slower with lower-compression, and is easier to hit and control. Red Ball Tennis is tennis made fun-sized! The court’s smaller, the net’s lower, and the racquets are just the right size, making it simple for beginners (especially little ones) to jump in, hit some shots, and fall in love with the game in a social and relaxed atmosphere.
This year, we danced, sang, and played Red Ball with 136 attendees at our annual Pride event.
This collaboration between USTA Midwest and Sonder Brewing provided a welcoming space for the community to come together and celebrate diversity and inclusion, and the love for tennis.
A special thank you to Jim Amick the Chief Executive Officer of USTA Ohio Valley, Peggy Knase the Jr. Teams and Events Manager of USTA Ohio Valley, Zachary Frampton Regional Sales Manager, Digital Products & Services with USTA National Campus, and Bridgett Ebanks Sales Operations and Events Coordinator at USTA,
Molly Kinnick Manager, Marketing & Communications USTA Midwest, Ashlynn Thomas Donor Management and Grant Acquisition Coordinator USTA Midwest, and Marquela Merritt Marketing & Communications Coordinator for USTA Midwest.
Whether you’re on the court or off the court, love is love. Live, Laugh, Red Ball. Love is love at Sonder Brewing.
Chicago, IL – June 26, 2025 — In a vibrant arcade filled with music, laughter, and connection, Laureus Sport for Good grantee organizations came together the evening of June, 26th, to celebrate a year of transformative work using sport as a vehicle for youth development and social impact.
The celebration event took place at Emporium Arcade Bar located in Chicago’s own Wicker Park. The ambiance was inviting, offering a nostalgic gaming experience and playful atmosphere, where we were more than welcomed to unleash our inner child. The space was like walking into a retro time capsule, walls covered floor-to-ceiling with vibrantly painted retro and anime-style murals, all created by local artists. The lighting struck a perfect balance between cozy dimness and glowing neon, further enhancing the immersive throwback vibe. Emporium Arcade Bar houses over 100 different arcade titles, including pinball machines, air hockey, pool, foosball, skee-ball, and bubble hockey, all operated by tokens, which added to the authentic, old-school gaming experience.
Titled with the rallying motto “We play. We rise.”, the gathering honored the power of sport-based programs to create opportunity, joy, and lasting change for young people across Chicago. From boosting school attendance to supporting mental wellness, building pathways to employment, promoting equity, and cultivating safe, inclusive communities, these organizations are the heartbeat of the Sport for Good Chicago movement.
Amy Mummery and Ashlynn Thomas Mariana Niekamp
“What’s happening here is an outlier,” said Amy Mummery, Laureus Grant Manager, during a heartfelt address to the room. “At the heart of it all, the non-negotiable, are the people in this room. You light up city blocks, you light up school yards, you light up spaces where light has never been seen.”
The evening featured food from Antique Taco, drinks, and a brief program that served as a poetic tribute to the grantees’ impact. Mummery continued, “There’s power in this room that can’t be shut off. Not by legislation, not by funding cuts; all because the relationships we’ve built live outside the system. We connect. We play. And because we value the humanity in each other and in what we create for our young people –we rise.”
Grantees celebrate after speech.Laureus Grant Managers USTA MTEF Laureus Grantees and Board Members
Sport for Good Chicago supports grantee partners working across six core outcome areas aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Education, Health and Wellbeing, Employability, Inclusion, Peace Building, and Gender Equity.
Thursday’s celebration was a reminder that joy, connection, and collective purpose are not only powerful, they’re unstoppable.
(Three grantees enjoying the wonderful atmosphere while playing Rampage; an original arcade game originally manufactured by Bally Midway in 1986. All photos taken by Marqui Merritt.)
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Veterans Tennis for All Clinic brought energy, laughter, and heartfelt connection to the John B. Norris Recreation Center in Saint Charles, Illinois. The event was a joint effort by USTA, the Northern Illinois District, Allenforce, and the Saint Charles Illinois Park District — all united in their mission to create inclusive and meaningful opportunities through sport.
Held from 1–4 PM, the afternoon featured a unique First Service Doubles (FSD) format and a mix of adult and red ball tennis. Eight veterans attended: one experienced wheelchair tennis athlete, one veteran accompanied by a service dog, and six able-bodied veterans living with invisible injuries. Five USTA volunteers led the day. Joe Tegtmeier led the FSD component with one enthusiastic participant, while the rest, Matt Hrtanek, Gina Jasovic, Brett Schrama and Adriane Welker rotated through games and drills designed for all levels.
The experienced wheelchair athlete seamlessly integrated into the group, sharing, “I don’t mind that there aren’t other wheelchair players here — I just want to hang out with other veterans and enjoy the afternoon.” His presence set a powerful example of inclusion in action.
The group’s stories added to the spirit of the event. One veteran, a former high school tennis player, joked that she “got her phone back in no time,” reconnecting with her skills quickly. Another participant laughed, recalling how she “flunked tennis” in PE class and came out to redeem herself. By the end of the day, redemption was had — not just in skill, but in joy, connection, and confidence.
Allenforce volunteers Donna and Lindsay, along with five USTA volunteers, helped make the afternoon smooth, welcoming, and uplifting. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and moments of encouragement on every court.
As the event wrapped up, the message was clear: everyone had a great time, and many said they would keep playing. The Veterans Tennis for All Clinic wasn’t just about the sport — it was about community, healing, and having fun together.
Lynn Bender of Zeeland, Mich., received the Brad Parks Award at the 2025 USTA Annual Meeting & Conference in Carlsbad, Calif. Established in 2002 by the USTA and the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the award honors Brad Parks, the founder of wheelchair tennis and a 2010 Hall of Famer. Presented annually, it recognizes individuals or groups involved in playing, coaching, organizing, sponsoring, or promoting wheelchair tennis, celebrating those who develop programs that expand opportunities for wheelchair players at the section or national level.
A lifelong tennis player, Bender has dedicated her career to making the sport accessible to athletes with disabilities. Her deep involvement in wheelchair tennis began after marrying her husband, Curt, a longtime wheelchair tennis athlete. For over 25 years, she has worked as a community-based Recreational Therapist and has served on the USTA National Wheelchair Tennis Committee for a decade. She is also a certified USPTA teaching professional and currently chairs the USTA Midwest Section Wheelchair Committee.
Bender has taken on multiple coaching roles, including head coach of the Holland Christian High School girls’ tennis team, collegiate wheelchair tennis coach, and instructor at the annual USTA/ITF Cruyff Foundation camps, where she teaches tennis to kids from around the world. Beyond coaching, she has captained a USTA League team for years, co-founded the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association, and directed USTA and ITF tournaments in Grand Rapids.
Her passion for the sport is best exemplified through her impact on players. One example was when she introduced a 15-year-old girl from Toledo to wheelchair tennis, transforming her life in just three weeks. The girl went from trying tennis for the first time to attending the Juniors Camp in Alabama and now plays for her high school tennis team. While Lynn’s dedication opened the door, it was funding from the Foundation that made her journey possible.
Lynn Bender’s unwavering commitment to wheelchair tennis continues to inspire, break barriers, and create opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
