USTA Texas Awards

USTA Texas Awards recognize individuals, families and organizations that drive change and make a positive impact on Texas tennis.

All USTA Texas Awards are unified under a single, consistent nomination timeline. The 2025 Awards Timeline is as follows:

• Nomination Period: November 1-22, 2024

• Notification Period: December 16-20, 2024

• Awards Luncheon: February 8, 2025

• Pro Tournaments: ATX Open and U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship (sessions TBD)

Nominations open annually on the first day of November and close the Friday before Thanksgiving. Selection Committees review nominations and select winners during the first two weeks of December. Submitters are notified about the status of their nomination and winners are contacted the third week of December. Adult and organization winners are honored and awards are presented at the USTA Texas Awards Luncheon the second Saturday in February. Junior winners are recognized and celebrated at premiere professional tournaments in Texas in the Spring.

W. T. Caswell Lifetime Service Award

Established in 1962, this award is given to the Texas resident who has made valuable contributions to the growth and development of tennis in Texas. It is awarded to a volunteer within the framework of USTA Texas, primarily at the section level, and in their local community. 

2024 Recipient: Dr. Alfredo Trevino, Jr., Laredo

*Awarded posthumously

USTA Texas Community Service Award

Established in 1989, this award recognizes a volunteer tennis leader who has provided outstanding contributions in promoting and conducting recreational tennis programs. It signifies the vital importance of recreational play. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Award, when applicable.

2024 Recipient: Robert Cavazos, Laredo

Henry Cox Adaptive Tennis Award

Established in 2019, this award honors an individual or organization who over time has shown continued excellence, dedication, and service to adaptive tennis through playing, coaching, programming, sponsoring, or promoting tennis for those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

2024 Recipient: Adrienne Bransky, Plano

USTA Texas CTA of the Year Awards

Reintroduced in 2023, these awards honor one Large CTA and one Small CTA that successfully fulfills the mission of the USTA – to promote and develop the growth of tennis – by providing various competitive and recreational play opportunities to their diverse communities. 

2024 Large CTA: Houston Tennis Association, Houston

2024 Small CTA: Lake Travis Tennis Association, Lakeway

Ray Delcastillo Official of the Year Award

Established in 1981, this award recognizes a USTA certified official who has contributed their time to strengthen officiating through training, mentoring, recruiting, and improving the overall tennis experience across Texas. 

2024 Recipient: Kevin Foster, Waco

USTA Texas Family of the Year Award

Established in 1975, this award recognizes a family for their contributions to Texas tennis. The family fulfills the mission of the USTA – to promote and develop the growth of tennis – on and off the court at the local and/or section level. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA Ralph Wescott Family of the Year Award, when applicable.

2024 Recipient: The Foster Family, Waco

USTA Texas Member Organization of the Year Award

Established in 1982, this award recognizes a USTA member organization in Texas for its outstanding service to its members and the game of tennis. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA Member Organization of the Year Award, when applicable.

2024 Recipient: Dallas Tennis, Dallas

USTA Texas NJTL Impact Award

Established in 2024, this award recognizes a USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning chapter, volunteer, or employee who has made a recognizable impact on their community through the game of tennis. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA NJTL Chapter of the Year Award, when applicable. 

USTA Texas Senior Spirit of Tennis Awards

Established in 1992, these awards honor one male and one female player who, in addition to their participation in USTA tournaments and leagues, exemplify the qualities of sportsmanship, enthusiasm, conditioning, and resourcefulness. With a cooperative spirit, the recipient honors and betters the lives of seniors on and off the court.

2024 Men's Recipient: Mark Weber, Taylor

2024 Women's Recipient: Bo Ward, Bryan

Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award

Established in 1973, this award recognizes a tennis professional who is committed to the growth of junior tennis in Texas. With an emphasis on the word "educational," it highlights the importance of teaching and developing junior tennis players of all levels and abilities.

2024 Recipient: Neil Adams, Austin

Randy Snow Wheelchair Tennis Service Award

Established in 2009, this award honors a volunteer, organization, wheelchair player, or teaching professional who over time has demonstrated excellence in the sport of wheelchair tennis and/or whose activities demonstrate dedication to improving and promoting wheelchair tennis for USTA Texas.

2024 Recipient: Dallas Wheelchair Tennis Club, Dallas

Julius Zinn Seniors' Service Award

Established in 1997, this award honors a senior member of the Texas tennis community who is involved in senior tennis play, activity, or organizational work. It is awarded on the basis of the recipient’s willingness, cooperation, and participation for the betterment and furtherance of senior tennis. 

2024 Recipient: Steve Kemp, Dallas

Chuck McKinley Outstanding Player Award

Established in 2001, this award is presented to a junior player for achieving the most outstanding results at the national and/or international level during the previous calendar year. More specifically, it is awarded to the Texas player with the overall highest national ranking. Final selection is made using the USTA Junior Final Year End Combined Rank List.

2024 Recipient: Tristan Ascenzo, Dallas (#1, B12)

Mary Lowdon Outstanding Sportsmanship Award

Established in 1972, this award is presented to the outstanding junior girl in Texas who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship and fair play, both on and off the court. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award, when applicable.

2024 Recipient: Not awarded

John McFarlin Outstanding Sportsmanship Award

Established in 1972, this award is presented to the outstanding junior boy in Texas who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship and fair play, both on and off the court. The recipient of this award is automatically nominated for the USTA Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award, when applicable.

2024 Recipient: Not awarded

Junior Sportsmanship Awards

Each year, junior players throughout the state are honored with awards named after leaders and legends of Texas Tennis for their outstanding sportsmanship and fair play, both on and off the court.

Best of Texas Tennis

The Best of Texas Tennis (“BOTT”) campaign recognizes those who portray excellence in the tennis community through individual, organization, and program awards categories. Each year, members of the Texas tennis community nominate candidates, vote for their favorites, and ultimately choose the winners.