2026 Award Criteria
Unless otherwise noted, all nominees must be current members of USTA, must have participated in USTA Missouri Valley events and cannot be members of the USTA Missouri Valley section staff. The supporting information for each nomination is critically important as the USTA Missouri Valley Awards Committee reviews up to 200 nomination forms each year. Any nomination form which does not have adequate information, does not provide photos or endorsement letters when appropriate places the nominee at a distinct disadvantage.
All nominations are to be submitted using the “Nominate” link form no later than August 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

NEW THIS YEAR 2026… IOWA DISTRICT COMMITMENT AWARDS

Criteria for each of the 4 Commitment Awards are simple:

1. The nominator must be able to prove that their nominee has played and/or volunteered in a minimum of 3 tennis tournaments.

2. The nominator describes their nominee’s passion for tennis and must be able to vouch for them. The nominator must know the student they are nominating.

3. The nominator/coach must be able to “see the tennis bug” in their student/nominee.

4. The nominator must provide the student’s USTA membership number and verify their age by providing their birthdate.

BOYS COMMITMENT AWARD 18U

BOYS COMMITMENT AWARD 14U

GIRLS COMMITMENT AWARD 18U

GIRLS COMMITMENT AWARD 14U

PLAYER AWARDS

ADULT PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Two levels for this award will be recognized:

1. Player ranked 4.0 and above

2. Player ranked 3.5 and below

Adult Players of the Year award will be awarded to adult players who participate in USTA League

tennis or USTA tournaments. Criteria are based on performance, current accomplishments,

sportsmanship and the promotion of tennis in general, raising the standard of play to its highest

level.

Please list for 2026 all accomplishments that highlight the nominees’ careers, including ranking

information.

Must not have a Code of Conduct report on file in the last 12 months. Refer to the Suspension

Points Record in Serve Control and TennisLink.

Must be a current USTA Member.

JUNIOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PLAYER (S) OF THE YEAR (1 female and 1 male)

Junior High Performance Player(s) of the Year award is based primarily on high performance results at USTA National and

USTA Missouri Valley tournaments, sportsmanship, and a demonstration of raising the game to its

highest level. The nominated player should exhibit participation in the highest level of

competition offered by USTA.

Please list all accomplishments that highlight the nominees’ careers from 10/1/25-9/30/26. Emphasis

should be placed on these last 12 months, but previous performance could also be considered. High

performance results and accomplishments can include:

● A high national ranking

● A high sectional ranking

● Placing at a USTA Missouri Valley Level 3 Closed Tournament

● Invitation to participate in special camps or events

Required:

● Must not have a Code of Conduct report on file in the last 12 months. Refer to the Suspension

Points Record in Serve Control.

● Must be a current USTA Member.

EMERGING JUNIOR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR (1 male and 1 female)

Participates in USTA Team Challenges, USTA Junior Team Tennis or other events, such as USTA Junior

Circuit, on a regular basis. Both recipients should demonstrate good sportsmanship and a love of

the game.

An emerging junior player is not actively playing in section-level tournaments. These players may

show promise to be high-performance players, but may be actively playing in L6 and L7 tournaments,

WTN Match Play, WTN Tournaments, Junior Team Tennis, Junior Circuit, and Team Challenges. As a

result, they are developing a lifelong love for the game of tennis.

Must be a current USTA Member.

JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP

The USTA Missouri Valley Junior Sportsmanship award is given to a male and female junior player in

each age group, boys and girls 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18's who best exemplifies the finest qualities of

sportsmanship in competitive play including tournaments, USTA Junior Team Tennis and USTA Junior

Circuit events. Good sportsmanship is an essential element of all junior sports and junior

development.

The junior player is ineligible if there is a Code of Conduct on file in the last 12 months for the

nominee. Nominator, please refer to the Suspension Points Record in Serve Control.

Leadership off the court is a bonus. Examples could include taking on leadership opportunities or

volunteering in the community or with the organization.

The nomination must have a minimum of two instances (in detail) where the nominee exemplified the

finest qualities of sportsmanship on and/or off the court (quotes from officials, coaches, parents

or players are acceptable). Please add any sportsmanship results, such as SuperSport nominations at

the District level and/or tournament sportsmanship awards

Must be a current USTA Member.

TENNIS FAMILY OF THE YEAR

This award is made annually to the family who in recent years has done the most to promote amateur

tennis - primarily on a volunteer basis. Ideally, all nominated members of the family should

participate in some way, either as players or by running programs or tournaments or in junior

development activities.

The family must be active in volunteering in some or all of the following:

● Serving as a volunteer in fostering tennis at any level of the USTA such as national, section,

district and/or local board or committee, tournaments and adult and/or junior programs

● Developing and/or sustaining junior and adult programs

● Holding office(s) at any level of the USTA

● Volunteer coaching

● Competing in tennis, including any youth program or tournament, high school, Tennis

On Campus or college varsity, tournaments (include age category rankings), USTA League or

other organized play, including social/recreational

● Enriching the game of tennis in other related activities (i.e. non-tennis activity, honors

and/or achievements.)

Please include the years of service for each activity for each nominated family member.

Required:

● All family members listed in the nomination must be current USTA Members.

PROVIDER/CONTRIBUTOR AWARDS

FACILITY OF THE YEAR

Recognition will be awarded to one (1) individual outstanding tennis facility under the

jurisdiction of:

● A parks and recreation department

● An educational institution

● Non-profit entities, or

● Private and/or commercially owned and operated facilities with USTA and other ‘growth of

tennis’ programs

Criteria to be considered when nominating a facility are:

● Quality of each court area and surface

● Quality of the court enclosure and lighting

● Overall layout and adaptation to the site

● Accessories and amenities, especially encouraging medical protocol for personal sanitation

● Evidence of good and green maintenance

● Quality Net Generation tennis guidelines met

○ Includes red to orange to green to yellow programs

○ Host Junior Circuit events

○ Host or participate in a TennisLink approved USTA Junior Team Tennis program

○ Facility has blended lines or permanent 36’ or 60’ courts

● Completed registration of programs on Serve Tennis

● Must be a current USTA Organization Member

Bonus:

● Coaching staff are current USTA Coaching Members. Not a member? Learn more at ustacoaching.com

Tennis programs held should include:

● USTA programs

● USTA Junior Competitive Pathway

● Other tennis-related programs

● Important contributions to the game of tennis

MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

Recognition of outstanding service by one (1) individual USTA Missouri Valley Member Organization.

1. Service and impact to the community.

○ Donating facilities for amateur tournaments of all types

○ Providing courts for free clinics or seminars for the general public

○ Providing facilities for interscholastic play for high school and college tennis

○ Providing facilities for USTA programs (tournaments, Leagues, High Performance, etc.)

○ Allowing promising non-member juniors the use of the courts

○ Taking an active role in section or district affairs

○ Allowing use of facilities for special events (e.g. charities, wheelchair, etc.)

○ Involvement and support of diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs

○ Allowing use of facilities for section or district events or training

2. Service to organization's members which demonstrates support of the USTA Mission and may

include the following:

○ Maintaining an active tennis program including:

■ Tennis ladders and other recreational programs including intersectional/inter-organizational

play

■ Adult and junior tournaments in various categories, especially USTA sanctioned tournaments

■ Encouraging and promoting play in USTA Leagues and USTA Junior Team Tennis

■ Net Generation related programs, Schools Tennis and NJTL programs

■ Adaptive tennis programs

■ Senior initiatives

○ Maintaining effective systems for keeping membership informed of USTA section and district

tournaments and activities and of pertinent changes in USTA and sectional rules and regulations

○ Encouraging and assisting junior players

3. General service to the game of tennis

○ Activities that promote and strengthen tennis within the member organizations and in the

community

○ Activities promoting the benefits of individual membership in the USTA

4. Must be a current USTA Organization Member

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATION

A USTA Community Tennis Association (CTA) is defined as: “Any multipurpose, incorporated,

geographically defined, not-for-profit, volunteer tennis support organization which supports or

provides comprehensive programs.”

Please describe in detail how the CTA meets the following criteria categories:

CTA history, CTA leadership, CTA mission, strategic plan, organizational structure, program

offerings based on community needs, volunteer recruitment, community partnerships, fundraising,

marketing and public relations plans, staff positions, special recognitions.

Must be a registered USTA CTA, a current USTA Organization Member, and the main CTA provider must

be Safe Play approved.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR TO YOUTH TENNIS PROGRAMS

The award is given to an individual (not a facility or academy) who is providing a full-service

USTA Junior Competitive Pathway.

Criteria to consider for the individual:

● Programs are registered on PlayTennis.usta.com

● Promotes USTA Junior Competitive Pathway within their program

● Organizes USTA Junior Circuit events

● Organizes USTA Team Challenges

● Organizes USTA Junior Team Tennis teams or programs

● Partners with schools for in school/after school tennis

Required:

● Must be a current USTA Member

● Must be Safe Play approved

Bonus factor:

● Certified with either organization (RSPA and PTR), and be current on their education and dues,

and be in good standing with the certifying organizations.

● Registered Net Generation School Partner

● Current USTA Coaching member. Not a member? Learn more at ustacoaching.com

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR TO YOUTH HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

The award is given to an individual (not a facility or academy). This person has done the most to

advance High Performance programs. The nominee has assisted in searching for new talented junior

players and involvement with Team USA camp.

Junior successes to be considered include:

● Players with high national rank

● Players making it to the Quarters and beyond in national USTA tournaments and ITF tournaments

● Players are top finishers in top section events (Level 3 USTA Missouri Valley)

● Players who earn sportsmanship awards

● Players who are invited to regional and national camps

Required:

● Must be a current USTA Member

● Must be Safe Play approved

Bonus factors:

● Certified with either organization (RSPA and PTR), and be current on their education and dues,

and be in good standing with the certifying organizations

● Current USTA Coaching member. Not a member? Learn more at ustacoaching.com

● Completed a USTA High Performance program

● Give back by coaching Section or National Team Events, or volunteering time at community

events

USTA JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS ORGANIZER

This award will be presented to one USTA Junior Team Tennis coach or manager who has made a

significant impact by expanding an existing program through increased engagement, including the

addition of players and teams. A local or district coordinator or organizer may also be recognized

for developing a new USTA Junior Team Tennis program or growing an existing program.

Criteria to consider when nominating are:

● Successfully implemented or helped expand local USTA Junior Team Tennis programs

● Served as a district/local coordinator or coach/manager within a USTA Junior Team Tennis

program

● Host or participate in a TennisLink approved USTA Junior Team Tennis program

● Successfully implemented other USTA tennis programs

● Generated interest in USTA Junior Team Tennis programs through local advocacy

● Creatively and effectively utilized section and or national funding

● Sponsorship development – ability to find and utilize resources other than the USTA

● Number of participants in USTA Junior Team Tennis programs

● Current Safe Play approved

● Complete Coach profile on USTA.com

Required:

● Must be a current USTA Member

Bonus:

● Current USTA Coaching member. Not a member? Learn more at ustacoaching.com

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR TO THE USTA LEAGUE TENNIS PROGRAM

This person(s) has made significant contributions to the USTA League Tennis program as a volunteer

in multiple aspects of leagues. The nominee has participated on teams, assisted in the promotion of

the program, assisted in the administration of the leagues and/or volunteered at section

championships.

Recipient(s) should demonstrate good sportsmanship and a love of the game.

Please provide years of service, type of service provided and community activity. Documented

information showing how, through their efforts, the league player experience has been enhanced, a

program was developed and implemented, and/or has increased league participation or retention in

the section.

● Must not be anyone who receives a stipend or monetary remuneration

● Must be a current USTA Individual Member

● Bonus factors: longtime service, and participation on section or district committees

OUTSTANDING ADULT/SENIOR TOURNAMENT

An outstanding USTA sanctioned adult/senior tournament will include most of the following criteria:

● Excellent tournament organization

● Fair and proper seeding

● Fair and equitable scheduling

● Adequate tournament staffing (referees and umpires; monitors, desk staff and other volunteers)

● Encouraged sanitation protocol for use of personal amenities such as water, ice, towels

● Information dissemination, the use of technology to improve tournament

● Good site conditions with adequate indoor backup if needed

● Multiple matches and/or creative formats (e.g. one day tournaments)

● USTA Missouri Valley regulations and contract requirements followed

● Rules and regulations followed as outlined in current Friend at Court

● Effort to promote the USTA Missouri Valley SuperSport initiative and reward good sportsmanship

This award will not be given to an adult section-level event that is run by USTA Missouri Valley

staff.

OUTSTANDING JUNIOR TOURNAMENT

An outstanding USTA sanctioned junior tournament will include most of the following criteria and

must not be a section level (L3, L4, or L5) tournament:

● Excellent tournament organization

● Fair and proper seeding

● Fair and equitable scheduling

● Adequate staffing for tournaments (referees and umpires, monitors, desk staff and other

volunteers)

● Encouraged sanitation protocols for use of personal amenities such as water, ice and towels

● Information dissemination, the use of technology to improve the tournament

● Good site conditions with adequate indoor backup if needed

● Applicable rules and regulations followed

● Efforts to promote the USTA Missouri Valley SuperSport initiative and reward good

sportsmanship

Please include details on what distinguishes this event as an outstanding tournament (number of

participants, exemplary use of Serve Tennis, organization of volunteers, tournament survey results,

etc.)

OUTSTANDING OFFICIAL

The USTA Missouri Valley officials’ award shall recognize dedication, service, responsiveness, a

professional demeanor, and technical proficiency. It shall be based upon a reputation for a high

standard of officiating and providing appropriate leadership, on and off the court, in the pursuit

of umpiring in the USTA Missouri Valley. The official shall have worked a significant number of

sectional amateur USTA events, be a positive role model, and be supportive and involved in

grassroots programs and events. A referee certification is highly desirable.

The USTA database will be used as the source of the current work record. The recipient shall be

selected in consultation with the USTA Missouri Valley Officials Committee Chair.

Bonus factors:

● Officiating at high school, college, and/or professional events, in addition to a significant

number of sectional amateur USTA events

● Successful recruitment of new officials

● Longevity as an official

● Serving on an officials committee

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR

Recognition of a high school coach for the nominees’ work during the 2025-2026 season as a coach

who meets the following criteria:

Supports and promotes USTA programs including hosting Team Challenges, and promoting USTA

tournaments; high school teams had a record of success in win-loss and/or in improvement of

players; develops players’ physical, mental and emotional abilities and promotes development;

maintains high ethical and sportsmanship standards; promotes a passion for tennis in the team,

school and community.

Please include in the nomination one to two specific examples of how the nominee promotes play and

supports USTA programming outside of the high school.

Required:

● Must currently be coaching a high school team (not retired).

● Must be Safe Play approved and/or the state or school equivalent.

Bonus factors:

● Coaches registered through the Team Coach registration on USTA.com

● Serves as a School Partner for physical education tennis programming

● Individual is certified with either organization (RSPA and PTR), and current on their

education and dues, and be in good standing with the certifying organizations.

● Current USTA Coaching member. Not a member? Learn more at ustacoaching.com

OUTSTANDING DIVERSITY ACHIEVEMENT

Given to an outstanding USTA Missouri Valley program leader, athlete, organization or administrator

for success in providing outreach to the diverse tennis community. This award may include NJTL

chapters and/or leaders.

This award is presented to an individual or organization that has championed the cause for

diversity both on and off the tennis court. Through hard work, persistence, and unwavering

dedication, the nominee has helped to expand the image of tennis to be inclusive of diverse

populations. Other considerations are demonstrating a high degree of organizational ability,

success in serving all players in the area, quality off and on court programs, management

structure, and involvement with the tennis community.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Distinguished Service award recognizes outstanding, long-time performance, dedication and

accomplishment of an individual's effort in section level service to USTA Missouri Valley.

Criteria to consider when nominating are:

● Must be a current USTA member

● Outstanding and sustained service to the sport through active participation, advocacy, or

leadership at the section level of the USTA Missouri Valley, in a manner consistent with the

highest standards of the field. These standards may be met in a variety of ways, including activity

that involves exceptional creativity, innovation, intellectual, moral courage and leadership.

● A willingness to work with others to improve the game of tennis

● Candidate should have a minimum of 10 years of service to the section (e.g., long term service

on section-level committees, chair or vice-chair of a section committee(s), section board of

directors, section advisor)

● The award may be given posthumously

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

To be defined and selected by the section president annually. Districts do not submit nominations

for this award.