For tennis fans throughout Colorado the USTA Tennis Hall of Fame Gala is a must-attend fundraising dinner honoring the best, most talented and generous past and present members of Colorado’s tennis community. The event–benefiting the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation (CYTF)– honors a Hall of Fame inductee and Colorado youth and adult players and organizations in several categories including sportsmanship, community service and competitive skills. In fact, Colorado USTA league players have sent many teams to the national competition and the Denver-based organization remains the nation’s 2nd largest division.
Andrew Sidel, Scott Thompson, JD Goodwin of Subaru of America
USTA Board President Angela Finan began the evening with a welcome and thanks to guests, sponsors and honorees before introducing the guest of honor and 2020 Hall of Fame inductee: Gigi Fernandez, one of the top doubles tennis players in U.S. history with a career spanning more than 25 years.
Fernandez thanked guests and acknowledged the hard work of Executive Director Fritz Garger, Associate Director Lisa Schaefer, and USTA staff & volunteers for successfully organizing the annual gala year after year. Later, Fernandez, CYTF Board President Cindy McLemore, and youth player Lyric Newsome assisted with the live auction led by Shelly St. John of the Auction Divas. After the award presentation, guests enjoyed live music by The Saddle Rockers. This HOF Gala sponsors this year were: Subaru, MidFirst Bank, LINE 3 and Sprouts Farmers Market.
Fernandez, who lived in Colorado in the 1990s, summarized her tennis career and urged guests to share their talents on behalf of others. Fernandez turned pro in 1983 to become Puerto Rico’s first female professional athlete, in any sport. She went on to win 17 U.S. Open championship titles and moved to Aspen in 1989. Later, she represented the U.S at the Olympics and won 2 Olympic Gold Medals in doubles with Mary Joe Fernandez (no relation) and 16 additional Grand Slam doubles titles. In 2000, she was honored as the Puerto Rican Athlete of the Century and in 2019 was inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Her former Colorado coach, Randy Crawford, was inducted in 2019.
Tennis player Lyric is the daughter of Metheia and Quentin Newsome
The gala, held Saturday, February 8 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, benefits the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation (CYTF), which was founded in 1961 by the USTA to develop the next generation of U.S. tennis players. The event recognizes Colorado’s high school state champions and USTA league teams that advanced to national championships. The Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame display is permanently housed on the first floor of Denver’s Gates Tennis Center in Cherry Creek and is open to the public during normal hours of operation.
The Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation offers financial assistance to organizations that reach youth across Colorado through tennis programming. Grants range between $100 and $1,000. To download an application for the CYTF scholarships due March 1, 2019 visit: http://www.colorado.usta.com/cta/resources/financial_assistance/program_grants/
Colorado 2020 Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Gigi Fernandez urged guests to contribute and share their skills with others.To view past HOF honorees visit the CYTF web site here: https://cytf.net/events/
For more info on Colorado USTA visit: www.colorado.usta.com
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- LINE 3 was among sponsors of this year’s event
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- Mala Alvey, Jill Rogers, Heather Hallman, Lindsay Windler
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- Andrew Sidel, Scott Thompson, JD Goodwin of Subaru
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- Apparel on display from LINE 3
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- Hall of Fame inductee Gigi Fernandez talks to guests
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- Glenmoor Country Club tennis director and tennis radio DJ Andrew Zodin with wife, Sarah
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- CYTF Board President Cindy McLemore with Mala Alvey
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- Quentin & Metheia with daughter Lyric
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- Brittany and Adele Sobieski and Becky Hodous
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- One of HOF sponsor Subaru’s bestselling vehicles
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- Hall of Fame inductee Gigi Fernandez with guests
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- Live Auctioneer Shelly St. John, with CYTF Associate Director Lisa Schaefer and Executive Director Fritz Garger
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- Paula McClain, Carolyn Peters, Diana Bustillos
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- Jamie Petersen, Carlene Petersen-Chrisman, Chris Brekke
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- Tracy Naughe, Kerry Barker
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- This year’s proud sponsors are: Subaru, LINE 3, Sprouts, MidFirst Bank
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- Gary and Mary Stults
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- Craig and Adriana Evans
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- Christian Hawley, Cindy Springsteen, Taylor McKinley
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- Laura Jones, Kim Williams
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- Coach Laura Jones with her students: Morgan Schilling, Nathan Talva
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- Steve and Kathy Swanson; Dan and Kadra Levin
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- Suzette Riddle, Christi McCauley, Peggy Bernardis
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- Linda Schley, Suzette Riddle, Christi McCauley, Peggy Bernardis
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- Jodi Cooper, Heather McCoy
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- The annual Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame Gala recognizes the achievements and community service of individuals and organizations to the game of tennis
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- The CYTF raises funds for youth to gain access to tennis for future generations of players
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- Jeanie and her friends at Table 28
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- USTA Colorado Board President Angela Finan recognizes sponsors
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- USTA Colorado Board President thanks guests and honorees
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- Hall of Fame inductee Gigi Fernandez shared some stories of her career
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- This year’s CO Tennis Hall of Fame inductee–Gigi Fernandez–is considered among the best doubles players of all time
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- Inductee Fernandez urged guests to contribute and share their skills with others
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- CYTF Board President Cindy McLemore shared stories with guests
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- Recognized for her tennis skills was Lyric Newsome
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- Colorado tennis player Lyric Newsome was recognized at the event
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- Lyric Newsome was on hand to distribute pink roses to top bidders during the live auction
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- Live Auctioneer St. John and HOF Inductee Gigi Fernandez raised significant funds during the live auction
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- Tennis player Lyric is the daughter of Metheia and Quention Newsome
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- The CYTF was established in 1962 to support Colorado youth tennis
