WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. --- The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that Dee Henry was selected as a 2006 USTA Eve F. Kraft Community Service Award recipient. Henry will be honored with five other recipients at an awards banquet, before more than 600 community tennis leaders at the annual USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop held on February 10, 2007 at the Atlanta Hilton in Atlanta, Ga. The USTA bestows the Eve F. Kraft Community Service Award upon individuals who perpetuate her selfless mission to bring the game of tennis to anyone who wants to play.
Henry is one of six honorees this year including: Bonnie Sue Duncan of Greer, S.C.; Cassie Goodell of Brownsville, Texas; David Hartsek of Lexington, Ky.; Emily Schaefer of Houston, Texas; and Peggy Tice of Cedar Park, Texas.
"I am grateful to USTA for providing such great programs, to Southern Callifornia staff for communicating opportunities to serve a, to my family for their support and God for providing good health," said Henry. "My tennis mission is to provide opportunities and guidance to individuals who are persuing their tennis dreams."
"Eve Kraft was a dedicated community tennis pioneer who was the original architect of how to grow the game at the grassroots level, making tennis accessible for anyone who wants to play," said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "It is with great pride that we honor today's champions who carry on the legacy of Eve with exceptional efforts and success in promoting and developing the growth of tennis."
Henry's involvement in the Southern California Tennis Association (SCTA) goes above and beyond her call of duty. She has been a leader in Facility Development, Special Olympics, NJTL, and Davis Cup Clinics with the SCTA for over 23 years. Henry has also been the Director and Head Coach of the Women's Tennis Program at Biola University since the programs inception, 15 years ago.
Henry has been instrumental in the building of a Tennis Facility at Biola and has played a large role in programs such as Challenger Tennis (a program for those with intellectual disabilities), wheelchair tennis, USTA Tennis on Campus, Kids Instructing Kids, and Tennis Across America.
Eve F. Kraft was a tennis pioneer whose ability to touch people's lives exceeded the boundaries of the tennis court. As teacher, coach, author, USTA staff member and volunteer, Kraft was a lifelong champion of recreational tennis in the United States until her death in 1999. She introduced thousands of young people to the game of tennis, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
