The Southern Tennis Foundation, the charitable affiliate of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section, announces the establishment of the Jaime Kaplan Endowed Scholarship.

The scholarship was created by her family and friends to honor her playing days as well as her dedication to USTA Southern both as a volunteer and as an employee.

Jaime Kaplan made news on the tennis court at the age of 9.

Her hometown of Macon, Ga., was hosting a pro tennis tournament and there were lots of ball boys, but only one ball girl. “The newspaper caption called me a ‘breakthrough for women’s lib,” she laughed and said in a 2014 interview.

“I wanted to be a tennis pro since the first time I picked up a racquet. Some kids want to be a doctor or a lawyer. There was never a question in my mind.”

Kaplan made that dream come true in 1983 when she began her seven-year career on the WTA Tour.

Kaplan’s prominence cuts across many of the connecting fibers of Macon tennis, starting with her junior career. From 1971-80, she was ranked No. 1 singles and doubles in USTA Southern and Georgia 13 times, competing in the Girls’ 10s through Women’s Open. At Stratford Academy, she was a three-time high school state champion in basketball as an All-State and All-Star player.

She didn’t do too bad in tennis, either, going undefeated in singles and doubles (156-0) throughout her five-year career. Kaplan received Stratford’s 1979 Best Senior Athlete award and was named the 1977 Amateur Athlete of the Year presented by the Macon Sports Hall of Fame as a sophomore. She was nominated as Best Athlete of the Decade by The Macon Telegraph, eight years after they ran that photo of her as a ball person.

Four decades later, the academy’s tennis center was named after Kaplan. The Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center has served as the site of the Macon Pro Circuit tournament as well as several state, sectional, and national tournaments. She had an outstanding collegiate career, winning the SEC doubles title at the University of Georgia in 1981. Next stop was Florida State, where she was a singles champion and two-time doubles titlist in the Metro Conference. She was the first FSU player to qualify for the NCAA championships.

Over the next seven years, Kaplan appeared in 14 Grand Slam tournaments including five times at Wimbledon. In 1988 she reached the Wimbledon round of 16 in mixed doubles. She won five WTA doubles crowns, teaming with Jill Hetherington for her biggest victory and with Iva Budarova defeated two top 10 singles players in doubles, the Maleeva sisters, Katerina and Manuela.

Kaplan’s highest rankings were No. 91 in doubles and No. 252 in singles until a knee injury at Wimbledon cut short her career in 1989.

Randy Stephens, a former USTA Southern President who was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014, said, “Jaime Kaplan’s accomplishments and contributions to tennis cross a wide spectrum.  In addition to an outstanding junior and collegiate career, she played professional tennis at the highest level. After her playing career, she worked as a successful teaching professional and is one of the most successful high school coaches in the history of Georgia tennis.

“After becoming the head tennis coach at Stratford in 2005, her no-cut tennis teams have won 46 area/region titles and 17 state championships,” Stephens continued. “Also, she developed a celebrity golf tournament that has raised over $9,000,000 for local charities in Middle Georgia over the past 30 years. Her influence through tennis in Macon is unmatched. She is a shining star in our community.”

Over the past 30 years, she serves or has served on over a dozen nonprofit boards and in 2011 filled an unexpired term for six months on Macon’s City Council.

Kaplan has battled numerous injuries and surgeries. But, in 2009, she faced her biggest hurdle. She was diagnosed with extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She cited the support of her high school players as helping her recover. Kaplan has served as Stratford’s head tennis coach from 2005 to present.

She is the former Alumni Director and Major Gifts Coordinator for Stratford. Currently, she is the Director of Philanthropy at United Way of Central Georgia and Manager of the Five Star Kevin Brown Russell Henley Celebrity Classic.

A notable volunteer honor – the USTA Eve Kraft Award – came her way in 2008. “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, USTA National Campus. “Jaime Kaplan is a passionate, hands-on volunteer. She’s cut from the same cloth as Eve, and we are proud to honor her with this award.”

Her honors and accomplishments include:

• Reached world rankings of No. 91 in doubles and No. 252 in singles.

• Won five WTA doubles crowns.

• Went undefeated in singles and doubles in five years of high school play; 156-0.

• Inducted into five halls of fame: USTA Southern/Southern Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2020), USTA Georgia/Georgia Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2006), Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (2005), Macon Sports Hall of Fame (2001), and Stratford Academy Athletic Hall of Fame (2004).

• Won the SEC doubles title at the University of Georgia in 1981.

• Metro Conference 1983 singles champion and two-time doubles titlist while playing at Florida State.

• Ranked No. 1 singles and doubles in USTA Southern and Georgia 13 times.

• Honored with the USTA Eve Kraft Award in 2008.

• Stratford Academy’s tennis center is named the Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center.

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PEAKED WITH A WORLD RANKING OF NO. 89 IN SINGLES

The Southern Tennis Foundation, the charitable affiliate of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section, announces the establishment of the Julie Ditty Qualls Memorial Endowed Scholarship to honor one of the best tennis players from Kentucky.

The scholarship was created by her parents, Juanita and Jack Ditty, of Ashland, Ky., her siblings, and the Julie Ditty Qualls Foundation.

Julie reached a high of No. 89 in singles and No. 65 in doubles in the WTA world rankings. She holds the record of 39 titles on the USTA Pro Circuit. Julie was inducted into the USTA Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019, into the USTA Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008, and into the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. She was a three-time All American at Vanderbilt and won the second-most tennis matches in Vanderbilt history.

Julie passed away at the age of 42 on August 31, 2021, after a six-year battle with breast cancer.

Her college coach, Geoff MacDonald, said that Julie “was an even better human being than she was a tennis player, and she was one of the top 100 tennis players in the world.”

Her obituary can be found here.

SOUTHERN TENNIS HOF INDUCTEE SERVED AS USTA SOUTHERN, USTA ALABAMA PRESIDENT

The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF), the charitable affiliate of USTA Southern, is proud to announce the establishment of the Jeff Gray Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Gray has been inducted into four halls of fame and served as USTA Southern President & CEO and USTA Alabama President. A highly regarded tennis professional in Mobile, Ala., he was twice named the US Professional Tennis Association’s Southern Pro of the Year. He played on the first University of West Florida varsity team and was the assistant tennis coach for Middle Tennessee State.

Jeff Gray

• USTA Alabama President 1978
• USTA Alabama Hall of Fame Member
• Served as the Alabama Captain of the Callen Cup for many years
• Ranked # 1 in Alabama Men’s Singles 35s 1982-84, Men’s 45 Singles 1991 & 1995. Men’s 50’s 1997 & 1998
• USTA Southern Men’s Doubles 2001, Ranked #1 Men’s 45’s (John Callen), Men’s 50’s (Steve Duffel)
• Member of the USPTA and PTR
• Winner of the 45 and over USPTA National Doubles Championships (Hugh Thomson)
• Recipient of the USTA Alabama Hubert Kessler Inspiration Cup 2022
• USTA Southern President 2005-06, USTA Delegate 2007-08
• Recipient of the 2006 Jacobs Bowl from USTA Southern
• Recipient of the USTA Senior Service Award 2021
• Recipient of the USTA Southern Charlie B. Morris, Jr. Service Award 2022

• Inducted into the USTA Southern Hall of Fame 2017
• Captain of the original tennis team at the University of West Florida
• Inducted into the University of West Florida Hall of Fame 1970
• Assistant Tennis Coach at Middle Tennessee State University
• Represented USTA Southern as a member of the Intersectional Tennis Team
• Two-time winner of the USPTA Southern Tennis Professional of the Year Award.
• Awarded the “Pride of the South Award” by the USPTA Southern Division
• Director of Tennis at Pensacola Tennis Club 1973
• Director of Mirror Lake Tennis Club (Mobile) 1974-1981
• Director of Tennis at the Country Club of Mobile 1981-2015

Jeff Gray: distinguished coach and USTA volunteer
Even Jeff Gray doesn’t think it’s possible that he has been involved in the sport of tennis for more than 50 years.

Born in Houston, Texas, but being the son of a Shell Oil Company employee and part of a family that moved frequently in the 1940s and 1950s, Gray didn’t play organized sports outside of youth baseball. When he was set to leave for college at the age of 18, a neighbor gave him a used tennis racquet as a gift, and his life changed forever.

“(I ended) up playing daily in college,” stated Gray. “I played three years of college tennis and played on the first tennis team for the University of West Florida.”

That set the wheels in motion to be a tennis “lifer” and for soft-spoken Gray to give back in so many ways to the sport he loved. It also included a move to USTA Southern as he entered graduate school and was named the Assistant Tennis Coach at Middle Tennessee State University. Following his graduation in Murfreesboro, Gray took the position of head pro at the newly established Pensacola Racket Club. The next year he moved to Mobile and began a stint as a pro at Mirror Lake Racquet Club.

Gray would put down roots in Mobile, as he has been employed for 35 years and counting as Director of Tennis at the Country Club of Mobile.

While the tennis community is known for volunteering and lending a helping hand, Gray has been a leader in giving back. For USTA Alabama, he has been past Chair of both the Junior and Adult Ranking committees. He served as State President in 1978 and was Captain of the Senior Cup.

At the section level, he served as chair of the Nominating Committee. Gray served as President & CEO of USTA Southern in 2005-2006 as well as a Delegate as Large on the Board of Directors, a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Grievance Council.

USTA even called upon Gray to serve as Vice Chairman of the Adult/Senior Competition Committee from 2005-06, a Delegate from USTA Southern in 2007-08 and a member of the Sectional President’s Committee in 2005-06.

For many, Gray is best known for his relief work when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005. Serving as USTA Southern President & CEO, Gray brought the affected states together with the Southern Tennis Foundation and the USTA tennis family to raise over $1,100,000. The donated funds not only rebuilt facilities, but also assisted displaced tennis professionals and restarted adult and junior USTA programs at new or alternate sites.

As a player, Gray has been ranked No. 1 in Alabama in various age groups. He won the USTA Southern Senior Open and Closed in both singles and doubles in addition to the 45s USPTA National Doubles Championships in 1991.

“Probably the highlight of my playing career was playing on the winning Alabama Senior Cup and Intersectional teams,” explained Gray. “But it was very special to win the Country Club of Mobile Labor Day Professional Doubles in 1989.” This is an annual event and one of the most prestigious events in the South.

Gray is no stranger to Hall of Fame inductions. He is in the Mobile Tennis Hall of Fame, the University of West Florida Athletic Hall of Fame and the USTA Alabama Hall of Fame. He is a two-time winner of both the USPTA Southern Pro of the Year and USTA Alabama Pro of the Year Awards.

Like many other coaches and proponents of lifetime and youth sports, Gray realizes there are challenges that lie ahead with the current generation and generations to come, but he is seeing a payoff reflected in the growing usage of courts at the Country Club of Mobile. Since he started keeping figures 25 years ago, he’s seen a plateau of about 2,000 players a month (for all courts) increase to more than 3,300 players per month. Gray has set a goal of being eco-friendly and making the best use of natural resources.

Quotes from members of the Southern tennis community
George Bernard Shaw once said, “A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out.” Anyone who has met Jeff Gray knows that this quote describes him perfectly. He has been an outstanding tennis player at the highest levels of the USTA, as well as the Tennis Director at the Country Club of Mobile for over 36 years. His genteel nature, humility, kindness and true desire to help others are just a few of the reasons why he is loved and respected by everyone he meets.

Randy Stephens: Former President of USTA Southern & Southern Tennis Hall of Fame Member

I’m so pleased to support this effort to honor Jeff Gray, the kindest, most honorable dependable and genuine person I know. Jeff is always a pleasure to be around, and what a great volunteer, leader and teacher he has been. I’m proud to call him my friend.

Rex Maynard: Former President of USTA Southern and Southern Tennis Hall of Fame Member

In my six years of service on the Board of the Country Club of Mobile, I had the privilege of working with Jeff. Jeff is without a doubt one of the finest individuals I have ever met. His greatest attribute is that he is always present for his family, friends, the USTA and other causes which he supports. Jeff is reliable, honest and has worked very hard in his life to advance the sport of tennis, I am grateful for the friendship he and I have developed since 2004 when we first met, for him teaching me how to play tennis, and most especially for having a lifelong friend. Simply stated, he is the absolute best.

John Galanos: Past President of The Country Club of Mobile

Not only has Jeff Gray been a great teacher to generations of players, he has also spread his love of the game by teaching countless teaching professionals how to teach. He is the teacher of teachers.

Brian Jordan: Director of Tennis Grand Hotel and the Lakewood Club

My relationship with Jeff began as his assistant tennis professional, at the Country Club of Mobile. Jeff quickly became my mentor and best friend and is the Godfather of my third son Jeffrey Weinacker. His professionalism, organization skills and concern for his members is the reason he is beloved and successful. Jeff has a special gift to make you feel at ease even in the most difficult situations. He is the person you want to see every day, as he makes you feel good about yourself.

Jimmy Weinacker: USTA Alabama Hall of Fame Member, Director of Tennis,
Pine Tree Country Club, Birmingham, Men’s Tennis Coach Birmingham Southern University

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HIGH SCHOOL DOUBLES CHAMPION WAS
GRADUATE OF UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

The Southern Tennis Foundation, the charitable affiliate of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section, announces the establishment of the Todd Crawford Memorial Endowed Scholarship to honor one of Kentucky’s successful junior players.

Crawford had a remarkable junior tennis career. He played for Paducah Tilghman High School for seven years, holding the No. 1 spot for four years. In 2000, Crawford and his partner Rob Gould won the KHSAA state doubles championship. Both were named All-State honorees. Also in 2000, he earned the No. 1 placement in Southern Boys’ 16s doubles with 400 points. On the USTA junior singles circuit, Crawford consistently placed in the top 50 Kentucky players and in the top 100 Southern players.  

He attended the University of the South and graduated from the University of Kentucky summa cum laude. In 2012, he graduated from the Illinois School of Psychology, earning a master’s degree with honors in Clinical Psychology.

Jane Gamble, longtime USTA Southern volunteer, remembers Crawford and his family. “Todd and his teammates were the first class to play on the Chad Gamble Tennis Courts at Paducah Tilghman. His parents chaired the campaign to build the seven-court facility and locker rooms for players.”  Dr. Keith and Jan Crawford were named the 2000 USTA Kentucky Family of the Year. In 2006, the complex was named the USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year.

The Paducah tennis community remembers Crawford’s passion for tennis, music, family and friends, A gregarious and multi-talented young man, he was known for his topknot and an infectious smile.

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NAMED FOR USTA SOUTHERN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & COO WHO PASSED IN APRIL 2022

The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF), the charitable arm of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section, announces the establishment of the John Callen Memorial Endowed Scholarship in 2021.

The STF mourns the loss of our beloved John, who passed away on April 3, 2022. Frances, his wife of 45 years, encourages donations to the John Callen Scholarship in his honor.

In 1989, Callen was named USTA Southern Executive Director and later was named its Chief Operating Officer. In June, 2021, Callen announced his retirement. He worked through March 2022. He was currently the longest serving USTA section executive director.

Callen was a member of four Halls of Fame: the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013), the Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2000), and the Georgia Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2004). He was also an honorary member of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association and member of their Hall of Fame.

Over the span of more than a half century, Callen’s contributions to Southern tennis run the gamut of the tennis world. Starting as a noted junior and college player, he also was a standout coach, volunteer and, ultimately, a leading tennis executive.

Callen grew up in Birmingham, Ala., where he was Student Body President, Athletic Club President, a member of the National Honor Society and a varsity tennis player who went undefeated in high school dual matches.

He went on to play at the collegiate level at Georgia Tech from 1970-1974, where he served as co-captain and played No. 1 to No. 4 singles and No. 1 to No. 2 doubles over his four-year career. In 1974, he began a 15-year tennis pro career as Head Tennis Professional at Big Canoe (Ga.), Director of Tennis at the Indian Hills Country Club and Athletic Director at Standard Club. Callen continued to hone his skills as a player, winning numerous Southern tennis titles and reaching the No. 1 ranking in the section for multiple years across many age groups.

Callen, of Johns Creek, Ga., was dedicated to volunteerism in the Southern Section. He was a founder of the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame, founding member of the Georgia Tennis Patrons Foundation and founding member of Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) Foundation. He served as Georgia Tennis Association President from 1982-1983. He was also elected to ALTA’s Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association. Callen coached winning Georgia Junior Davis Cup teams. He served as USTA Southern Vice President along with being a member of numerous USTA committees.

Since his hiring to lead USTA Southern, the section’s membership rose to a high of more than 187,000, representing 25 percent of the national membership. During that time, the section has been at the forefront of growing grassroots tennis, including fostering USTA League expansion, Junior Team Tennis formation and growth, and hosting an array of junior and adult tournaments in the section’s nine states. The section has a robust adult program, including the largest Combo and Mixed Doubles leagues in the country. As Southern Tennis Foundation Executive Director, Callen oversaw the giving of approximately $5 million, notably to NJTL programs, junior tournament players and college students.

Callen was survived by Frances, and daughters Ashley, Melanie and Courtney, along with three grandchildren.

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USTA CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & PRESIDENT HEADED USTA SOUTHERN & FOUNDATION

The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF), the charitable affiliate of USTA Southern, is proud to announce the establishment of the Mike McNulty Endowed Scholarship Fund to provide college scholarships to deserving students across the South.

Former USTA Southern President Michael J. McNulty III is currently serving as USTA Chairman of the Board of Directors and President. He is only the fourth volunteer from USTA Southern to serve in this national leadership position. He has been a member of the USTA Board for eight years and previously served as First Vice President.

As a national leader, he has been a strong advocate of sound business practices and grassroots tennis. During his presidency, he is emphasizing tennis in the parks, frequently noting that 70 percent of American tennis is played in public parks. He has also highlighted the need to further the mission of Tennis Industry United and increase outreach to the entire tennis community.

McNulty has a long history of volunteerism at the local, state, section, national and international levels. He was a founder of the Lake Charles (La.) Tennis Association, and later served on the board and was president of both USTA Louisiana and USTA Southern. He also chaired the STF Board of Trustees. He was elected to the USTA Nominating Committee for four years before his terms on the USTA Board, which started in 2014. He serves as the chairman of the US Open.

He is the recipient of the 2012 USTA Southern Jacobs Bowl and the 2015 Charlie B. Morris Service Award, the highest volunteer service awards given by USTA Southern, as well as the President’s Award. He is a member of the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2021.

For McNulty, tennis is in the genes. The USTA Southern Family of the Year Award is named for his father, Mickey, who was also USTA Louisiana president and a key figure in Southern tennis. McNulty fondly recalls his father encouraging him to become a tennis volunteer, “I think you can make a difference. You will make friends for a lifetime.” It was great advice. He has used the family’s penchant for leadership and his own winning personality to advance the cause of tennis from the grassroots to the national and international levels.

McNulty, a New Orleans resident, was a partner with the law firm of Plauche, Smith & Nieset, LLC.

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