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Don Edwards
Bill Higgins
Donald Kempster
David Martin
Kathryn McPherson
John M. O’Driscoll
Dorothy Paige
Tom Patterson
Todd Schorle
Julia Steele
Jose Villarete
Christine M. Smith (President)
Judge James Zagel (Vice President)
Lisa Culp (Secretary)
Julie Roth (Treasurer)
2013 Program
C hicago Tennis Patrons, Inc. is the fund raising arm of the Chicago District Ten-
nis Association (CDTA). It is a separate not-for-profit tax-exempt corporation
and as such, may accept tax-deductible contributions. The proceeds from our Annual
“Evening of Champions” as well as any contribution you wish to make will benefit
the many junior programs in which the CDTA and the CTP have been involved.
Your generosity is appreciated, to help continue junior tennis programs in the Chicago District.
Trudy Brahin Family
CrossCourt News
Paul Dean Family
Midtown Athletic Clubs
Tom Patterson Family
Alan G. Schwartz Family
Mary Seelig Family
Helen Shockley Family
John Shostrom Family
Mel Timmons Family
Jon Vegosen Family
2012 Jr. Rec. Players of the Year
Junior Rec. Player of the Year
2007 Jazmin Hall & Kasey Burns
2008 Caitlyn Schaffer-Harris
2009 Jaleyah Walker & Khari Sanchez
2011 Richelle Edwards & Keenan Lee
This award recognizes outstanding junior recrea-
tional players, who exhibit the love of the lifetime
sport of tennis through their passion, enthusiasm,
sportsmanship, & strong level of participation in a
Patrons-sponsored program.
Chicago Tennis Patrons Award
Oni Jones
O ni Jones has been a student athlete participat-
ing in Love To Serve, Inc. programs for 5
years. In the fall of 2012, she played for the Mor-
gan Park High School Tennis Team as a freshman
varsity singles and doubles player. She completed
the season with an impressive record of 16-4. She
also participates in a student athlete after-school
program focusing on ACT preparation and college
readiness skills, where the importance of being
disciplined both on and off the court is empha-
sized. Over the years, Oni has participated in many
USTA programs: Junior Team Tennis, NJTL,
Schools Programs and a few USTA Tournaments.
She also competed in American Tennis Associa-
tion (ATA) Nationals and Mid-TAC tournaments.
In the summer of 2012, Oni was a finalist in the
Girls 14s doubles at the ATA National Tourna-
ment in Florida. Oni is passionate about the game
of tennis and appreciates the benefits the game has
brought to her life.
The Tennis Official of the Year Award honors an
active and highly rated tennis official working
District, Sectional or National events. This award
is sponsored by Tom Patterson.
Tennis Official of the Year
1996 Tom Patterson
1997 Joy Duerr
1998 Mike Sutko
1999 Charles Cunningham
2003 Sherry & Bob Sanford
2004 Pam Delnagro
2005 Janice Lumpkin
2006 Steve Menoff
2007 Joy Duerr
2008 Tina Herrera-Richards
2009 John Coleman
2010 Arnie Villagomez
2011 Wendy Kaegi
Chicago Tennis Patrons Award
Chuck Cunningham
2012 Tennis Official of the Year
C huck Cunningham has been valuable to tennis
officiating in the Chicago and Northern Illi-
nois Districts as an active member of the Board of
Directors of the Chicago Tennis Umpires Council.
He serves as their Director of Education of new,
provisional officials, with an extensive background
of education as a Tennis Coach with the University
of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Athletics.
Chuck has participated at the District, Section, and
National levels primarily working grass roots jun-
ior tennis tournaments. He consistently makes
himself available to cover 1-3 tournaments each
week. During 2012, Chuck worked all or part of
41 tournaments encompassing 41 weekends, serv-
ing as lead official for 36 of these events. On the
professional tour side, Chuck has worked as a US
Open Official from 1990-2001, US Davis Cup Of-
ficial – three ties, is an ITF White Badge Certified
Official and served on the USTA National Offi-
cials Committee from 1997-2002. Chuck has
earned a reputation as an excellent ambassador for
certified officials, and an excellent professional
chair and line umpire.
Steve you are totally unselfish, & giving at every level. There was the furniture, for the CDTA & Midwest office. The Shore-line Tennis Association program which you co-founded & was staffed by you & your family. You gave 110 percent to junior tennis with your fairness & generosity of personal time. You assisted junior tennis at every level learning TDM to become invaluable to all tournament directors. One can-not overlook, that your athletic contributions & your finan-cial expertise was needed & appreciated at every turn.
League Player of the Year
1995 Robert Zumph
1996 Norm Anderson
1997 Jerry Peel
1999 Bill Johnston
2000 John Wentworth
2001 Dave Stefan
2002 Marvin Cohen
2004 Alan Brodsky
2005 Robert Zumph
2006 Larry Levin
2007 Mike Gorski
2009 Roger E. Allen
2010 Stephen Weinstein
2011 Steven Haas
Shostrom Family Award
Greg Franzo
The Shostrom Family Award is presented to an active
and talented male league player in USTA Tennis or
local club leagues. The award is based on participation,
attitude and sportsmanship. John Shostrom was a City
and IHSA Champion and Division III coach.
2012 League Player of the Year
G reg has been supporting the USTA League
program for many years as a player and
captain. In 2012 Greg captained and co-
captained 21 teams, including Adult 18+ 3.5
and 4.0, Adult 40+ 4.0, and 7.5 Combo. He is
currently working hard to form a 55+ 8.0
league. In 2012 Greg played on 17 teams play-
ing a total of 99 (93 USTA and 6 NITTL)
matches. He led the 3.5 adult men’s team to the
Illinois State and Sectional Championships with
a combined 3.5 men’s team record of 55-4.
Greg also captained the Oak Brook Tennis Cen-
ter Northern Illinois Tennis League (NITTL)
and served as the representative and coordinator
to NITTL.
2012 League Player of the Year
League Player of the Year
1992 Gillian McDonnell
1993 Lyn Tietz
1994 Nancy Watland
1996 Julie Roth
1997 Sharon Welch
1998 Marina Vecci
2000 Atsuko Kumagai
2001 Elvira Cridland
2003 Lisa Culp
2004 Lynn Daggett
2005 Mary Gallagher
2006 Dawn McMillin
2007 Dena Balzano
2008 Janelle Lobmier
2009 Colleen Lehman
2010 Leslie Trantor
Trudy Brahin Memorial Award
Alison Miller
The Trudy Brahin Memorial Award is presented to an
active and talented female league player in USTA
Tennis or local club leagues. The award is based on
participation, attitude and sportsmanship. Trudy
Brahin played both league and tournament tennis in
the Chicago District and is honored with a memorial
fund established in 1992 by her family and friends.
A lison Miller is a dedicated tennis player
and brings the best aspects to the game of
tennis. She has played on USTA League teams
for the past 10 years, as many as 7 different
teams in the same season. Alison has a strong
commitment to USTA League tennis and has
created a family out of the teams she has played
on and captained. In 2012, Alison played on 7
different teams and was captain or co-captain of
all 7. She played 39 matches this past year in
both singles and doubles. As a captain she is
very well organized, her teams are competitive
and she manages to give all her players ample
match opportunities. Her determination gives
others a source to model when leading their
own teams, and she has shown that everyone
can enjoy the sport of tennis regardless of their
tennis playing level.
Coach of the Year
2005 Dave Muir
2006 Mark Bey
2007 Nancy Hoekstra
2008 Tyrone Mason
2009 Barry King
2010 Manny Velasco
2011 Greg Contro
2012 Coach of the Year
Vegosen Family Award
Luka Bagos
The Vegosen Family Award recognizes a teaching professional/coach who contributes to tennis in the community and the District by promoting and developing programs and players. This Award is sponsored by the Jon Vegosen Family.
L uka Bagos has been committed to teaching
tennis in the Oak Park/River Forest area
since 2005. Luka currently serves as the head
pro and general manager of the Oak Park Ten-
nis & Fitness Center (OPTC). Prior to joining
OPTC in 2011, he taught at the River Forest
Tennis Club during the outdoor season. Luka is
dedicated to encouraging new players to deepen
their commitment to the game and providing
experienced players with fresh knowledge and
challenges. In two short seasons at the OPTC,
Luka has created a thriving junior tennis pro-
gram for over 100 players. Thanks to Luka’s
passion and commitment the OPTC has seen
the number of Season Pass Holders jump by
nearly 33% in 2011 during his first season. In
addition to his on court responsibilities - Luka
has taken the time to give back to the commu-
nity. He has overseen and supported many
events including Play for the Animals through
the Animal Care League, and the Wonderworks
Fundraiser for the Children’s Museum.
The CrossCourt News Award is presented to an aggressive, well organize
community based local tennis organization in the District. It honors a group
who has supported and promoted the overall growth of the game, especially
at a grass roots level. The award is sponsored by the CrossCourt News.
Member Organization of the Year
1976 Arlington Tennis Club
1977 Waveland Tennis Club
1979 Westchester Tennis Club
1980 Winnetka Tennis Association 1981 Downers Grove Tennis Asso.
1982 Chicago Park District
1983 Winnetka Tennis Association
1984 Chicago Prairie Tennis Club
1985 Des Plaines Tennis Club
1986 Mid-Town Tennis Club
1987 River Trails Tennis Club
1988 Beverly Hills Tennis Club
1989 River Forest Tennis Club
1990 Daley Bicentennial Plaza Chicago Park District
1991 Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
1992 West Suburban Tennis Patrons
1993 Woodfield Racquet Club 1994 The Meadow Club
Member Organization of the Year
CrossCourt News Award
1995 Tennis Opportunity Program
1996 Love To Serve, Inc.
1997 Stony Island Tennis Club
1998 Oak Park Tennis Club
1999 Love To Serve, Inc.
2000 Love To Serve, Inc.
2001 Love To Serve, Inc.
2002 Chicago Prairie Tennis Club
2003 Tennis Opportunity Program
2004 Oak Park Tennis Club 2005 West Suburban Tennis Patrons
2006 Glenbrook Racquet Club
2007 Maywood Tennis Association
2008 West Suburban Tennis Patrons
2009 Love To Serve, Inc.
2011 Love To Serve Tennis & Education Foundation
2012 Organization of the Year
CrossCourt News Award
Chicago Prairie Tennis Club
I n 2012, the Chicago Prairie Tennis Club (CPTC) celebrated its
100th year as a non-profit organization that supports tennis as a
lifetime sport. The CPTC was established in 1912 believing that
“athletic competition and good sportsmanship are prerequisites for
building personalities and character.” As pioneers in the sport of
tennis in the Chicago community, CPTC became the first and now
the oldest African American tennis organization in the country.
CPTC strives to make tennis available to every youngster in Chi-
cago - to help promote character development and self-worth by
encouraging academic excellence, physical development and goal
oriented recreation. The CPTC also prides itself on having a thriv-
ing junior program. The CPTC Junior Program was launched in
1975 and has since provided instruction to over 8,000 junior play-
ers. The organization can boast that past program participants have
become teachers, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and tennis pros.
Many of these former juniors achieved National, Midwest, and
CDTA rankings and earned tennis scholarships to attend colleges
nationwide. Thanks to generous donations and contributions from
current CPTC members and corporations they have been able to
offer a scholarship program for their junior development programs.
In order to reach more juniors and make programs more affordable
for the parents in the community all junior development programs
are subsidized by the club membership funds. This has allowed the
CPTC to provide a high level of quality tennis instruction at a rea-
sonable cost.
Stephen H. Butzlaff Inducted
2013
Chicago Tennis Hall of Fame
S tephen Butzlaff began serving a two-year term as USTA Delegate and Immediate
Past President of the USTA/Midwest Section in December 2011. He previously
served as President, and was originally elected to his first Board position in 2005.
Under his board leadership, the Section drove the Green Dot transition ball competi-
tive play format, Ace Junior Tennis Club, Best Driveway Tennis Contest, led the
country in new 10U memberships, and introduced ACE the Section Mascot. Butzlaff
currently serves as Board Liaison to the Section’s Junior Team Tennis Committee. In
addition, he serves on the Section’s Investment, Hall of Fame, and Nomination Com-
mittee. Between 2005 and 2007, Butzlaff served as Midwest Treasurer, and during the
term converted operating system and reporting techniques. He previously served as
Liaison to the Tennis Service Representatives, as well as College On Campus, and
Adult League Committee, He has served as a member on the Audit, Human Resource,
Budget, Strategic Planning and Chair of the Marketing Committee. Also, Butzlaff
served as President of the Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation. He is
currently a member on its Building Management, Budget, and Investment Committee.
He previously served on its Operations, Nomination, Budget and Capital Campaign
Committee. Steve served as the Chicago District President 2003-2004, and has been
active with numerous District committees since 1998. He also served on the Chicago
Tennis Patron Board for eight years redeveloping the organization and instituting ef-
fective fund raising strategies. At the USTA level, Butzlaff is serving his first term as
Adult Council Chair and member of the Advisory Group on Committees. He served
on the USTA Board Budget Committee, was Vice-Chairman of the Section Presidents,
and served on the USTA National Community Tennis Association (CTA), Member-
ship and Marketing Committee. In 2003, he served on the TDM task force assisting in
the creation and Beta testing of the software. Butzlaff co-founded the Shoreline Tennis
Association CTA located in Waukegan, Ill., in 1998 with the mission to provide free
tennis instruction, equipment, educational skills and High School placement at St.
Martin de Porres, (affiliated Christo Rey School). The CTA has built two tennis
courts, both with donated dollars from government, foundations, corporations and
private contributions. The program to date has introduced over 1,400 students under
the age of 16 to tennis without incurring any salary or administration costs. Butzlaff
and his family have served as Shoreline advisors and instructors since its founding.
Players such as Tracy Austin and Evan King have participated in its Block Parties. In
2008, “Tennis in the Trunk” was formed in partnership with Midtown Athletic Club in
Bannockburn to provide tennis to young Hispanics in Highwood, Ill. The program
featured the QuickStart Tennis format, which is organized on a parking lot adjacent to
an apartment complex. The Butzlaff family was awarded the Steve Morgan Family of
the Year Award by the Chicago Tennis Patrons in 1999, and Steve was awarded the
Paul Dean Volunteer of the Year Award by the Chicago Tennis Patrons in 2001.
Adult Player of the Year
1998 Bill Lange
1999 Michael Benson
2000 Christine Mott
2001 Bobby Hampton
2002 Marvin Cohen
2003 Christy Wing
2004 Jerry Morse-Karzen
2006 Bill Johnston
2010 Jerry, Brett & Becky Morse-
Karzen
2011 Jerry & Becky Morse-Karzen
ITA-Timmons Award
Gabrielle Clark
The ITA-Timmons award honors local adults who have
excelled in ranking, tournament play, and sportsmanship.
2012 Adult Player of the Year
G abrielle Clark has experienced a fairy tale year playing collegiate tennis rep-
resenting the highest accomplishments on and off the court. Gabbie became
the first African-American woman to win an NCAA Singles Championship in May
at any level (Division I, II or III). It marked the fourth NCAA Singles Champion-
ship won by an Emory women’s tennis player. She ended her season on an 11-
match singles winning streak, including a perfect 10-0 record during the NCAA
Tournament. Gabbie earned All-American status for both singles and doubles play
during the spring, after also claiming All-American honors in the fall by winning
the ITA Regional singles and doubles draw. After finishing second in the Division
III singles draw at the ITA Small College Nationals (Oct 2011) she joined with
Zahra Dawson to become just the second Emory pairing to win the doubles draw,
advancing to the ‘Super Bowl’ before falling to the NAIA-winning pair from Okla-
homa Christian College. Gabbie finished the 2012 regular season with a 29-5
record in singles play and a 30-9 mark in doubles action. In her sophomore year
she was the 2011-2012 NCAA Division III Singles Champion, a Finalist for Honda
Woman of the Year, and an All-American in Singles and Doubles. In August,
2012 during the US Open, Gabbie was named to the 29th ITA Collegiate All Star
Team as the sole D3 woman player. In her 2012-2013 junior season to date she
has earned the Championship in both singles and doubles in the ITA Regional and
ITA Small College Nationals. Gabbie became just the second player in the pro-
gram’s history to win both the ITA Regional Singles and Doubles in back-to-back
years. She also joined former Eagle Mary Ellen Gordon as the only two players to
sweep both draws at the ITA Small College Nationals. Gabbie will enter the spring
season of her junior year ranked fifth in school history with a .842 career singles
winning percentage, and 16th in the program’s history with 64 victories (64-12
overall). In doubles action, she ranks 10th among Emory players with a .770 win-
ning percentage and 14th overall with 67 wins (67-12). Gabbie was named the
UAA’s Athlete of the Week on four occasions during the past season – September
26th, October 17th, March 26th and May 29th. Her sportsmanship and giving back to
tennis includes assisting in a new start up minority program on the University of
Chicago campus this past summer and working at the US Open Arthur Ashe Kids
Day in late August.
We are all very proud of you!
Thank you for taking us all on this
great journey with you!
It is so fun watching you use all the
gifts & talents God has given you.
The Midtown Award is presented to an outstanding tennis facility
that has supported & promoted the overall growth of the game.
This award is sponsored by Midtown Athletic Clubs.
2012 Facility of the Year
Facility of the Year
2000 Homewood-Flossmoor
Racquet & Fitness
2001 North Shore Racquet Club
2002 Mid-Town Tennis Club
2003 Mid-Town Tennis Club
2004 East Bank Club
2005 Libertyville Tennis & Fitness
2006 Glenbrook Racquet Club
2007 Score Tennis & Fitness
2008 Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet
00000 & Fitness Club
2009 Heritage Tennis Club
2010 Oak Park Tennis Center
2011 Homewood Flossmoor Racquet
& Fitness Club
Midtown Award
Wheaton Sports
Center
S ince 1979 the Wheaton Sport Center (WSC) - also known as
“Your Neighborhood Club” has supported and promoted the
overall growth of tennis. WSC is proud to offer adult and junior
private and group lessons, leagues, travel teams, drills, tourna-
ments, and other events for its members and guest. WSC offers a
development path for all junior players starting as young as age 3
with basic motor skills and progressing from ages 5-10 on the
QuickStart court and then fully developing juniors over age 10 with
match play and programs to meet junior goals. In addition to in-
struction, this year the WSC offered 20 USTA tournaments includ-
ing 9 level 7 orange ball tournaments and 11 level 7 junior tourna-
ments. The club also hosted 10 junior one-night “mini” tourna-
ments (Jr. Grand Prix) as a stepping stone to USTA tournaments.
Additional programs include 5 free cardio tennis classes per week,
walk-on drills, tennis ladder challenges, “Intro to Tennis” for non-
tennis players (Tennis University), family/adult tournaments and
socials, and host to several USTA League teams. The club features
14 tennis courts - 4 indoor hard courts, 2 outdoor hard courts, and 8
courts under an air structure (4 clay and 4 hard). WSC is the first
club in the Chicago area to put in ClayTech courts and the only
club in the Chicago area that has indoor ClayTech courts. This year
the indoor and outdoor hard courts were resurfaced and new cur-
tains, nets, and the indoor lighting was upgraded to energy-
efficient.
Junior Player of the Year
1976 Amy Williams
1982 Michelle Torres
1983 Katrina Adams
1985 Julie McKeon
1986 Stacey Berg
1987 Anne Mall
1989 Jennifer Nasser
1990 Jennifer Nasser
1991 Margie Lepsi
1992 Wendy Fix
1993 Margie Lepsi Helen Shockley Memorial Award
1995 Laura Granville
1996 Michelle Dasso
1997 Christine Nolan
1998 Laura Granville
1999 Christine Nolan
2000 Elizabeth Lumpkin
2001 Elizabeth Lumpkin
2002 Alexis Prousis
2003 Elizabeth Lumpkin
2004 Monica Milewski
2005 Taylor Marable
2006 Elizabeth Epstein
2007 Gia McKnight
2008 Hanna Mar
2009 Nida Hamilton
2010 Jasmine Minor
2011 Jerrika Boone
The Helen Shockley Memorial Award is pre-
sented to an outstanding girl in any junior divi-
sion for the highest standards of tennis accom-
plishments, character, conduct, sportsmanship &
demeanor. Helen Shockley was a fine player who
contributed much to tennis in Chicago, including
her invention of the “feed-in” consolation.
Helen Shockley Memorial Award
Keisha Clousing
2012 Junior Player of the Year
K eisha Clousing grew up around the sport of
tennis playing her first tournament at the age
of nine. Since then she has soared to new heights
and continues to rise in the USTA rankings. She
was ranked top ten in the nation in the 12 and un-
der and has stayed in the top 25 ever since. Keisha
has been a Chicago District Tennis Association
Qualifier Champion or Finalist in the Girls’ 14, 16
and 18 age groups, and was the #1 District player
as a Girls’ 16. She has won a Silver Ball in the
Super Nationals in Norfolk, VA and in 2012 she
won the IHSA Girls State Singles Championship
playing for Wheaton Warrenville South. As a
highly sought-after talent by many college recruit-
ers, Keisha is currently ranked #8 in the Midwest
and 44th in the nation.
2012 Junior Player of the Year
Junior Player of the Year
1977 Paul Wei
1978 Mike Martin
1979 Ron Kowal
1980 Danny Arends
1981 Michael Kures
1984 Lee Hardman
1988 John James
1994 Martel Bufford
Kevie Schwartz Memorial Award
1995 Andrew Witt
1996 Thomas Hanus
1997 Conner Murnighan
1998 Russell Bennett
1999 Matt Bruch
2000 Thomas Hanus
2001 Colin Foster
2002 Ryan Heller
2003 Donald Young, Jr.
2004 Spencer Vegosen
2005 Dennis Nevolo
2006 Evan King
2007 Denis Bogatov
2008 Michael Moore
2009 Robert Stineman
2010 Michael Redlicki
The Kevie Schwartz Memorial Award recognizes an
outstanding boy in any junior division for the highest
standards of tennis accomplishments, character, con-
duct, sportsmanship and demeanor. Kevie Schwartz
founded Tennis Corporation of America (TCA) and
built the Midtown Tennis Club.
Kevie Schwartz Memorial Award
Michael Sellitto
O n May 11th, 2012, Michael Sellitto set a new
record for the most wins of any player in the
history of the Glenbrook South tennis program -
132 wins as a four year varsity player. In 2012,
Michael’s senior year he played #1 doubles and
placed second in the IHSA Boys State Champion-
ship. He was also honored with the Illinois High
School Tennis Coaches Association Tom Pitchford
Sportsmanship award in 2012. Michael has par-
ticipated in the CDTA Super Excellence program
for two years and this past year he was selected as
captain of the Jr. Davis Cup Team. His playing
career in 2012 was highlighted by playing in the
Spring Nationals in Mobile, AL and the Nationals
in Kalamazoo, MI. He has held a top 120 National
and top 15 Midwest ranking in the boys 18’s and
was number 97 in the tennis recruiting circles. Mi-
chael is currently playing for the Illinois State Uni-
versity tennis team.
2012 Family of the Year
Chicago Tennis
Patrons Award
Zazove Family
1990 Bufford Family
1991 Watson Family
1992 Trantor Family
1993 Schoenly Family
1994 Kmiec Family
1995 Nasser Family
1996 Beverley Family
1997 Rose Family
1998 Adams Family
1999 Butzlaff Family
2000 Little Family
2001 Morse-Karzen Family
2002 Donald Young Family
2003 Jon Vegosen Family
2004 Stecko Family
2005 Sonkin Family
2010 The Stephen Bonner Family
This award honors a CDTA family who work together in an enthusiastic
family spirit to grow the game of tennis.
N eal and Andi Zazove and their two children Alex and Nick, have a passion for
tennis. Neal began playing tennis as a junior, competing in local tournaments.
He played college basketball at the University of Illinois and then returned to tennis
upon graduation. Neal later went on to play, teach and coach tennis to adults and
juniors in Arkansas, Texas and Georgia before returning to the Chicago area. He now
actively plays in leagues and tournaments in the Midwest. Alex, Neal and Andi’s
older son, began playing tennis as a junior, achieving high Midwest and National
rankings. As a result, the family travelled throughout the country where they met and
made long lasting friendships with other tennis players and families, tournament direc-
tors and officials. This experience truly enriched the Zazoves’ love of the game. Alex
moved on from the USTA juniors to play to college tennis and has recently taught and
coached juniors locally, as well as in California. Most recently, Neal has had the
opportunity to work with and coach his younger son, Nick, in the same manner as he
did with Alex. Nick is enjoying much success in USTA tournaments while playing
and training nearly seven days a week. Travelling with Nick, the Zazove family has
again had the opportunity to renew acquaintances, as well as make new friends. While
Andi does not play tennis, she has immersed herself learning the game by actively
participating in the development of her sons’ tennis careers as well as helping out at
tournaments. Both Andi and Neal have actively worked at numerous high- level tour-
naments held in the Chicago area for more than ten years. Andi has been the tourna-
ment director of the Boys 16s Chicago Qualifier for a number of years, while Neal has
served as the Boys 16s Endorser. Both Alex and Nick actively worked the tourna-
ments alongside Andi and Neal. The Zazove family has been involved in donating
tennis equipment through CDTA for many years. Neal has also served on the CDTA
board of many years, and is currently its President. Tennis has been, and continues to
be, an important part of the Zazove family life. They actively promote the game,
sportsmanship and the life-long friendships tennis provides. The Zazove family ap-
preciates and respects the sport that has brought so much to their family.
Mary Seelig Award
Alin Pop
Tournament Director of the Year
1976 Walter Piekarski
1977 Marla Ward
1978 Tom Pitchford
1979 Carol Lieberman &
Joan Goldberg
1980 Mary Berg
1981 Dave Williams &
Martha Williams
1982 Lyden & Workman Families
1983 Mary Seelig
1984 Patricia Freebody
1985 Tom Lutze
1986 Marsha Marchese
1987 Grace Rimkunas
1988 Janet Murtaugh
1989 Sonja Fischer
1990 Jim Gelhaar
1991 Mary Seelig
1992 Sylvia Gothard
1993 Jerry Morse-Karzen &
Mark Baladad
1994 Lyn Bruner
1995 Mary Seelig Tournament Director of the Year
Mary Seelig Award
1996 Nancy Watland
1997 Sylvia Gothard
1998 Dave Evans
1999 Sylvia Gothard
2000 Marcy Hendricks
2001 Jim Musgrave
2002 Paul Burrus
2003 Julia Steele
2004 Nancy Watland
2005 Paul MacDonald
2006 Patty Lambropoulos
2007 Mary Shepherd
2008 Patricia Marshall
2009 Sylvia Gothard &
Nancy Watland
The Mary Seelig award is presented to a tournament
director who demonstrates a consistently high level of
expertise in hosting tournaments and an enthusiasm
for all aspects of the game. This award honors Mary
Seelig for her many years of supporting, directing and
teaching the finer points of running a tournament.
2012 Tournament Director of the Year
A s a native of Transylvania, Romania, Alin played junior competi-
tive tennis and soccer starting at the age of eight. In 1997, he began
teaching tennis and has progressed from a tennis professional to tourna-
ment director, junior director, and is currently the Club manager at the
Oak Brook Tennis Center. He started directing tournaments at Midtown
Athletic Club in 2006, continued at Glenview Tennis Club, and presently
is directing at the Oak Brook Tennis Center. He improved tournament
participation at all the above named facilities averaging over 600 tourna-
ment players per year. At the Oak Brook Tennis Center, Alin runs 15
junior tournaments per year hosting all junior age groups, both singles
and doubles, along with the new Orange/Red Ball events for the 10 and
Under players. He runs local Level 6 events, Midwest Elevated events,
and the Level 4 Chicago District Championships (Qualifier) for both
Girls’ 12 and Boys’ 16 age groups. Alin is very efficient administra-
tively with excellent communication with player, parents and coaches
through constant updates on the tournament web pages. He posts results
daily, gives our Sportsmanship Awards and uses certified officials for
the events. As a believer in lifelong learning, Alin has acquired multiple
certifications: PTR-Professional 2005, USTA-Sports Science 2007,
USTA-High Performance certified coach 2007, Etcheberry Strength and
Conditioning 2010 and PTR-Master of Tennis 2011.