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
Bonnie Vandegrift
Chairman
Randy Jackson
Vice Chairman
Terry Bunnell
Secretary and Treasurer
Matt Olson
Executive Director
Jaime Kaplan
Director, Development & Operations
Trustees
Bonnie Vandegrift, NC
Derek White, GA
Elizabeth Walker, TN
James Ewers, LA
Jenifer Tucker, AR
Jorge Andrew, SC
Karen Newman, MS
Lance Hickman, MS
Marcy Hirshberg, GA
Mike Eden, KY
Paul Pittman, SC
Randy Jackson, AR
Rudy Lewis, AL
Ted Reese, NC
Terry Bunnell, KY
Advisors
Bill McGugin, TN
Brett Schwartz, LA
Dennis Miller, MS
Druid Michaels, NC
John Herring, KY
Lucy Garvin, SC
Randy Stephens, GA
Rex Maynard, SC
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: Jenifer Tucker
James Ewers
Jane Gamble
Randy Jackson
Brett Schwartz
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
Mark Dillon
Steve Duffel
Bill McGugin
Rob Worley
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Annelie Daneel
Budget/Finance
Budget Committee
Responsible for providing 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
Ted Reese
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
Jorge Andrew
Donnie Ellis
Ted Reese
Elizabeth Walker
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Cee Jai Jones, Jean Marie Simon
Special Events
Special Events Committee
Plans and oversees events that increase the visibility and assets of the Foundation.
Chair: Karen Newman Morgan
Leslie Jackson
Elizabeth Walker
Dru Michaels
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Jean Marie Simon, Taylor Urquhart
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
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Milly Sequera Huss, Brooke Hammond, Ron Cioffi, Hal Regi
Hall of Fame Selection
Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Selects and notifies the Hall of Fame Inductees.
- Randy Stephens GA - Chair
- 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
Researches and identifies ways to update and preserve the last 25 years of history for the Southern Tennis Association and Foundation.
Chair: Michael Eden
John Cox
Jenifer Tucker
Derek White
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan
Audit
Audit Committee
Responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees in its oversight of financial statements of the Foundation. It oversees the independent auditors to assure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Chair: John Herring
Lance Hickman
Steve Duffle
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
James Ewers
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Cee Jai Jones, Jean Marie Simon
Adaptive / Wheelchair Grants Committee
Adaptive / Wheelchair Grants Committee
Promotes and administers grants for Adaptive and Wheelchair athletes and programs.
Chair: Rex Maynard
Marcy Hirshberg
Paul Pittman
Derek White
Staff: Matt Olson, Jaime Kaplan, Cee Jai, Jean Marie Simon
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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