COLORADO TENNIS HALL OF FAME
Celebrating Colorado’s Rich Tennis History

The state has had a rich tradition of tennis throughout the years and the Hall of Fame will provide a vehicle for due recognition of Colorado players, coaches or administrators for their contribution to tennis. The Hall will also seek to provide exposure for the recipients and for tennis in the state of Colorado. The mission statement of the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame is to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to tennis in Colorado.


Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame Gala & USTA Colorado Annual Awards Celebration
The Colorado tennis community will celebrate the accomplishments of five individuals with their induction into the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame, at the 10th annual Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame Gala. The event is slated for Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.

COLORADO TENNIS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2009

Chester Harris (deceased)
Advocate and teacher who opened the door for players of diverse ethnic backgrounds to get involved in tennis.

Vernon John (deceased)
The youngest man to ever win the Denver City Open Singles Championship, he was a finalist at the 1936 NCAA Collegiate Championships.

Rhona Kaczmarczyk (Denver)
Member of Ireland’s Federation Cup Team. Holder of numerous Colorado open, national age division titles and rankings.

Jack TerBorg (Anaheim, CA)
Stellar player who is holder of 17 major Intermountain/Colorado titles.

Becky Varnum Bucolo (Englewood)
Undefeated in high school competition (68-0), winning the No. 1 singles State Championship four years in a row. All American while attending the University of Notre Dame.

In addition to honoring the inductees, USTA Colorado will present its 2009 Annual Awards to players, organizations and volunteers who have distinguished themselves through their dedication and commitment to the sport. Event proceeds benefit the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation, a fundraising arm of USTA Colorado, that provides tennis opportunities to youngsters in need across the state. All are invited for this festive evening. Kelly Ford of KYGO FM Radio will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The CYTF will also collect tennis racquets for its Racquets for All Recycling Program. Racquets for All representatives will be on site to collect gently used tennis racquets from Gala attendees. Ticket and event information is now online.

Visit the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame online auction from January 4-25.


2009 USTA COLORADO ANNUAL AWARDS

Jack Cella Award (High School Player-Boy)
Casey MacMaster

Jim & Anne Dyde Award (High School Player-Girl)
Sammie Watson –Denver (Kent Denver School)

Richard Hillway Award (High School Team-Boys’)
Kent Denver School

Willa Wolcott Condon Award (High School Team-Girls’)
Cheyenne Mountain High School – Colorado Springs

Rosemary Fri Award (Collegiate Player-Woman)
Krista Damico – Parker (University of Texas)

Vernon John Award (Collegiate Player-Man)
Clancy Shields – Grand Junction - Boise State

Joan Birkland Award (Female Player)
Lauren Strasburger - Denver

Jim Landin Award (Male Player)
Clancy Shields – Grand Junction

Fay & Dorothy Shwayder Award (Senior Female Player)
Janice Aoki - Littleton

Sam & Sid Milstein Award (Senior Male Player)
Gene Wilken – Fort Collins

Jerry & Lillian Brawer Award (Wheelchair Player)
John Vcelka – Highlands Ranch

Ade Butler Award (Umpire)
Patrick Zuraski – Colorado Springs

E.L. Griffey Award (Organization of the Year)
Arvada Tennis Center – Apex Park and Recreation District

Carter & Lena Elliott Family Award (Family of the Year)
Richard Young Family – Colorado Springs

Jody Riser Knudsen Award (Volunteer of the Year)
Sonia Schwartz – Arvada

Dorothy Mauk Award (Media Excellence)
Andy Zodin - Lakewood

Margaret Rogers Phipps Award (Junior Sportsmanship)
Nicole Kalhorn – Colorado Springs

John Hough Award (Junior Sportsmanship)
Luke Lorenz - Colorado Springs

Phyllis Lockwood Award (Junior Sportsmanship)
Brittan Sutphin - Lakewood

Mike, Gene & Maurice Reidy Award (Junior Sportsmanship)
Alex Clinkenbeard - Loveland

Charlie & Ira Brown Award (Junior Sportsmanship)
Stephanie Schwartz - Arvada

Arthur Ashe Award (Service to Under served Populations)
Art Rimando - Denver

Clyde Rogers Award (Service to Recreational Players)
Mike Shellman - Aurora

Bud Robineau Award (Service to Tennis Community)
Vicky Matarazzo - Lakewood


To see photos from last year’s event, please click here.

To see past inductees, please choose from the links at left.

To learn about the USTA Colorado Annual Awards or to view past winners, please choose from the links at left.