The Chicago Tennis Patrons, a not for profit tax exempt corporation will honor award winners for numerous tennis achievements at the 21st Annual Evening of Champions Banquet, Fundraiser and Chicago Tennis Hall of Fame Induction. This fun event will be held at the Rosewood Restaurant & Banquets, 9421 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont. SAVE the date, Saturday, February 27, 2010. The evening will help to support the Chicago District's junior tennis programs. It's a great way to connect with the tennis community while supporting our youth.
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. Congratulations to the 2009 USTA/Midwest Section Fall Award winner from the Chicago District that will be honored at an awards banquet on Saturday, December 12 in Indianapolis, IN. The special ceremony is held each year in conjunction with the USTA/Midwest Section Annual Meeting. The Mel Bergman Award – will be given to Janet French of Elmhurst, Il.
CHICAGO, IL, October 26, 2009: On Saturday, October 24, 2009 First Serve Student Athlete, a freshman from Morgan Park Academy in Chicago, IL won the girls state singles tennis championship at Center Court Athletic Club in Hanover Park, IL. Jerricka Boone participates in our after-school student athlete program sponsored in part by the Chicago District Tennis Association; USTA Midwest Section and the USTA/Recreational Tennis Division. See all the Top Finishers on the next page.
Mary Seelig has been affiliated with tennis in the Chicago District for many years. She has been volunteering in different capacities with four (4) different organizations, (CDTA, USTA/MW Section, Chicago Tennis Umpires Council, Chicago Tennis Patrons) from administrative work, to tournament directing. Mary has touched the lives of a great number of junior tournament players being affectionately called the "Gummy Bear Lady" by many juniors who have eventually aspired to high school, collegiate & national tennis honors. Mary started by being a Volunteer Official in 1965, & then becoming a certified Official & Referee when it was established in 1972. She also has been an Official at amateur local (CDTA), Midwest (Western) & National junior events. Along with officiating on the Pro Circuit with the Virginia Slims, Women's Avon Circuit, Men's Volvo Circuit, & also at the US Open in 1979 and 1981. Mary has been a volunteer on the CDTA Board of Directors since 1993, various District committees including the Qualifier & Junior Competition, she worked as a tournament director for local and Midwest events including our Chicago District Championships & was Head of the Endorsers. She also was a volunteer on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Tennis Patrons since 1995. And still found time to volunteer since 1996 on various USTA/Midwest Section Committees including many years with Junior Competition, Tournament Approval & Scheduling. See below pictures on next page for a list of all her awards. We'll miss you Mary!
Sportsmanship Winners who receive a CDTA Sportsmanship Award Certificate will be recognized if they send us their picture in the Yearbook and Newsletter. They will also receive a Sportsmanship Bag tag. Players who have a great attitude, behavior & enthusiasm on & off the court will be decided by the Tournament Director and their staff. The CDTA wants you to be a winner! To see a list of all 2008 Sportsmanship Winners please look under "News".
Ed Bernard recently won a gold medal in the 55-and-older age group at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. Bernard said he could have flown home without a plane after winning a gold medal at the Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel, a couple weeks ago. But then he would have missed the mobs of people at the airport who gave him a taste of celebrity as a medalist in the tournament called the Jewish Olympics. "The Maccabiah is a huge event there every four years," said Bernard, who won the gold in the 55-older tennis division.
