Rod Schroeder

Rod Schroeder, or “SchroDaddy” as he is known to his many friends, has over 47 years of teaching experience and is recognized as one of the best coaches in the Midwest. He has coached over 10,000 junior players throughout his career after playing collegiate tennis at University of Illinois. For...

L. LaMont Bryant

Recognized as “one of the most successful innovators of junior development tennis programs in the U. S.” L. LaMont Bryant is well respected for his dedication and commitment to junior tennis. He is presently the Founder and CEO of Love To Serve, Inc. Tennis and Education Foundation. Additionally, Coach Bryant...

Julia Steele

The Chicago Tennis Patrons is thrilled to reward and recognize the invaluable and innumerable contributions of Julia Steele and her impact on the growth, reputation, and character of the sport of tennis in Chicago over the past four decades. Julia Steele is one of the best ambassadors of the game...

Violet M. Clark

Violet served on The Board of Chicago District from 1997 until 2007. During that time she served as Treasurer, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. Violet was the 47th CDTA President since 1915, the 4th woman and 1st African-American to serve as President. During the...

Ronald Mitchell

Ronald Mitchell is a tennis advocate who believes in giving back to his community. While his first introduction to tennis was in a mandatory physical education class at Central Michigan University, Ronald fell in love with the game in the following years. Ronald and his daughter, Wendy, would often play...

George E. Barnes

George E. Barnes served as the president of the USTA, the National Educational Tennis Foundation, the Chicago Tennis Patrons, and was a board member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. During his presidency, he initiated the USTA membership program, the age classification was changed from under-15 and under-18 to...

Gene Buwick

Gene Buwick served as a USTA volunteer for many years. He was chairman of the USTA Tennis Manufacturers Committee, served on various committees, and played a key role in the development of the USA League Tennis program. Buwick served as president of the Tennis Industry Association for six years, and...

Marian Baird

Marian Baird won the Girls’ 18 Indoor Doubles and the Women’s Intercollegiate Doubles Championships. She attained a number one district and sectional ranking in women’s doubles. She won the National Indoor Championships and earned a high ranking of number two in the USTA in Women’s 75 Doubles. Baird, who was...

Karzen Family

Dick, Jerry, Brett and Becky have had an amazing career in the Father & Son, and Father & Daughter divisions at the USTA National level. Dick and Jerry won four USTA National Father & Son titles in 1977, 1978 and 1982. Jerry has amassed an additional 29 USTA National Father...

Richard Bradley

Richard Bradley’s volunteer service began at the grassroots level in his community and extended throughout different levels at the USTA with an emphasis on promoting and growing junior tennis. Bradley believed that tennis could have a powerful impact in local communities and in the lives of children. At the USTA...