Making a lasting impact
with every swing.
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Established in 1978...
with a sole mission of celebrating the unparalleled contributions of tennis legends, the Southern Tennis Foundation (STF) has grown from honoring the past to shaping the future. Our essence is rooted in recognizing tennis not just as a sport, but as a catalyst for monumental change.
Over the years, we've expanded our horizons, providing access to tennis in underserved locales and championing diversity and inclusion. Today, we stand as a testament to the power of passion merged with purpose, where every serve, volley, and handshake transcends the court, touching lives and communities.
STF provides invaluable financial support to deserving individuals and organizations through various avenues.
With the guidance of specialized committees composed of trustees and advisors, we evaluate applications to ensure deserving parties receive necessary aid. Beyond financial support, STF proudly curates the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame.
Grants for junior players ranked in the top 100 in the South.
Matching grants for state foundations, aiding any ranked players.
College scholarship assistance.
Recognizing National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) student-athletes participating in the USTA Foundation NJTL essay contest.
Support for NJTL Chapter development and capacity building.
Providing funding for wheelchair programs and financial assistance for wheelchair athletes.
Offering assistance in the promotion, implementation, and growth of community adaptive tennis programs.
Our Mission
Create, support, and promote life-changing opportunities through tennis, education, and wellness.
We are motivated by care, commitment, inclusion, and lasting positive impact. Our goal is to help make dreams a reality and unlock potentials.
We support young people who need it most, uplift adaptive and wheelchair athletes, guide emerging junior players, and provide scholarship assistance to those in need of educational support. Our efforts are meant to leave a legacy of hope, strength, and victory for all to see.
Our Vision
To create a world where the blend of tennis, education, and wellness serves as a source of inspiration. A world where we uplift those in need, embrace all differences, ignite competitive spirit, and empower people to overcome their limitations.
Through our efforts, we aim to enhance lives, better communities, and craft a legacy of positive change.
Unlocking possibilities for all.
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Inclusive Programs
Extending our hand of support to under-resourced youths and individuals with adaptive needs, ensuring tennis becomes an inclusive sport for all.
Financial Assistance
Championing budding tennis stars by alleviating financial constraints, providing them with the resources they need to chase their dreams unburdened.
Scholarships and Grants
Prioritizing academic excellence and tennis passion, enabling deserving talents to pursue higher education and excel both on and off the court.
Ways We Support
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Collaborative Partnerships
Tailored Mentorship
Scholarship and Financial Support
The ripples of our support and initiatives have spanned far and wide, touching countless lives and communities. Our endeavors, while rooted in tennis, have blossomed into avenues of education, personal development, and wellness.
The numbers speak volumes of our dedication:
Our Leadership
Randy Jackson
Chairman
Brett Schwartz
Vice Chairman
Jenifer Tucker
Secretary
Terry Bunnell
Treasurer
Matt Olson
Executive Director
Jaime Kaplan
Director, Development & Operations
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Cheri Grosvenor
Counsel
Trustees
Bonnie Vandegrift, NC
Brett Schwartz, LA
Dennis Miller, MS
Derek White, GA
Elizabeth Walker, TN
Jenifer Tucker, AR
Karen Newman, MS
Kathryn Hornsby, AL
Lance Hickman, MS
Marcy Hirshberg, GA
Paul Pittman, SC
Randy Jackson, AR
Rex Maynard, SC
Rudy Lewis, AL
Ted Reese, NC
Terry Bunnell, KY
Advisors
Bill McGugin, TN
Bill Oakes, GA
Druid Michaels, NC
Eddie Gonzalez, GA
Eleanora Mauritson, AL
Gordon Smith, GA
John Herring, KY
Lucy Garvin, SC
Mike McNulty, LA
Randy Stephens, GA
Committees
Nominating
Nominating Committee
Submits nominations annually to the Board for the election of Trustees (to serve three-year terms) and the Secretary/Treasurer (to serve a two-year term) every other year.
Chair: Eleanora Mauritson
Brett Schwartz
Jane Gamble
Paul Pittman
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Jean Marie Simon
Investment
Investment Committee
Recommends an investment policy to the Board and oversees the investments of the Foundation.
Chair: Dennis Miller
Rob Worley
Steve Duffel
Mark Dillon
Bill McGugin
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Annelie Daneel
Budget/Finance
Budget Committee
Provide guidance on financial matters including submitting an annual budget for approval. Assures internal controls, independent audits, and financial analysis of the Foundation.
Chair: Terry Bunnell
John Herring
Rex Maynard
Bonnie Vandegrift
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Annelie Daneel
Junior Grants
Junior Grants Committee
Evaluates requests and recommends assistance to individual players and state foundations.
Chair: Lance Hickman
Donnie Ellis
Elizabeth Walker
Jorge Andrew
Carol Alan
Ted Reese
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Jean Marie Simon
Marketing/Communications
Marketing/Communications Committee
Promotes the Foundation and the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame on this website and on social media, including information on:
- Officers, trustees and advisors
- Programs, grants and financial assistance offered
- Grant and scholarship applications and recipients
- Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee pictures, information, videos and nominations.
- Promote the Foundation through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and other appropriate media
Co-chairs: Marcy Hirshberg & Druid Michaels
Randy Stephens
Eleanora Mauritson
Kyle Blackburn
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Tracy McEvoy, Ron Cioffi, Hal Regi
Hall of Fame Selection
Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Selects and notifies the Hall of Fame Inductees.
Chair: Randy Stephens
John Cox (MS)
Eleanora Mauritson (AL)
Michael McNulty (LA)
Rex Maynard (SC)
Paula Hale (NC)
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Paula Locke
Southern History Task Force
Southern History Task Force Committee
Research and identify recommendation options for ways to update and preserve the last 25 years of history for the Southern Tennis Association and Foundation.
Chair: Michael Eden
Jenifer Tucker
John Cox
Derek White
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan
Audit
Audit Committee
Assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the financial statements of the Foundation. It oversees the independent auditors to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Chair: John Herring
Lance Hickman
Steve Duffel
Terry Bunnell
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Annelie Daneel
Scholarships
Scholarships Committee
Promotes and administers the college scholarships offered by the Foundation.
Chair: Jenifer Tucker
Rudy Lewis
Mike Eden
Beth Hopkins
Kathryn Hornsby
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Cee Jai Jones, Jean Marie Simon
Program Support Committee
Program Support Committee
Promotes and administers grants for programs and activities supported by the Foundation including Adaptive and Wheelchair athletes, and NJTL Chapters.
Chair: Rex Maynard
Marcy Hirshberg
Paul Pittman
Helen Leonard
Rudy Lewis
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Cee Jai, Jean Marie Simon
Facility Assistance Grant Committee
Facility Assistance Grant Committee
The primary role is to manage funding to organizations for minor projects for infrastructure improvements including creating safer spaces, and options to improve or upgrade program equipment.
Chair: Rudy Lewis
Anna Monhartova
Lance Hickman
Staff: Jean Marie Simon, Cee Jai Jones
Fundraising Committee
Fundraising Committee
The primary goal is to raise money by developing and implementing strategies, identifying potential donors and sponsors, and assisting with the overall funding process.
Chair: Paul Pittman
Karen Newman
Elizabeth Walker
Jane Gamble
Eleanora Mauritson
Randy Stephens
Brett Schwartz
Bill Oakes
Kathryn Hornsby
Dru Michaels
Ted Reese
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Tracy McEvoy, Jean Marie Simon
Subcommittee - Special Events Committee
Plan and oversee events that increase the visibility and assets of the Foundation.
Chair: Karen Newman
Dru Michaels
Elizabeth Walker
Bill Oakes
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Jean Marie Simon, Taylor Urquhart
Ad Hoc Committee: State Relations Committee
Manage state foundation Relations and fundraising activities.
Chair: Randy Stephens
Ted Reese
Bill Oakes
Brett Schwartz
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan
Ad Hoc Committee: Research Committee
Research and develop a list of grant applications and corporate sponsorship opportunities that are aligned with the foundation goals.
Chair: Eleanora Mauritson
Jane Gamble
Kathryn Hornsby
Elizabeth Walker
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan
Join us in our quest to make tennis a beacon of hope, transformation, and unity. Your support, be it through donations, volunteering, or partnerships, can spark monumental change.
Together, let's serve a brighter future!
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