Tag: community impact

Game Changer: Carisa Dueweke

2025 Tennis Creates Awards: Adult Leader Honoree

In every community, there are individuals whose quiet determination and generous spirit transform the lives around them. For tennis in the Mid-Atlantic, that person is Carisa Dueweke. A leader, mentor, and tireless volunteer whose influence has reached from her local courts in the Shenandoah Valley all the way to the national stage.

Carisa’s tennis journey began nearly 21 years ago, in an unexpected season of life. “I started playing pregnant with my youngest,” she laughs. “The pro at our club encouraged some new moms to take a few lessons for free, and we all became hooked. It was a great way to spend 90 minutes getting some exercise while meeting new friends.” What began as a fun hobby soon became a lifelong passion and a calling to lead. Within just a few years, she transitioned from player to captain, then to Local League Coordinator for the Shenandoah region.

2025 Tennis Creates Awards Adult Leader Honoree, Carisa Dueweke.

From the moment she took on that role, Carisa approached it with energy, empathy, and innovation. Her “boots-on-the-ground” style, visiting facilities, talking with pros, and personally mentoring captains, helped double local league participation within a year. 

“Meeting face to face, listening, and offering solutions is what makes the difference,” she says. “It could be as simple as adjusting formats, starting two-team leagues, or hosting weekend tournament-style leagues. Be creative but know the regulations.”

Her commitment to connecting people and creating a fair, inclusive experience shaped not only her local community but the entire Mid-Atlantic region. “Ultimately, I work toward creating an amazing product while continuously striving to contribute to a positive player experience for all,” Carisa says.

Her impact extended beyond the courts when she co-chaired the first Centralized Grievance Committee, an initiative that brought consistency and fairness to league operations. “The keyword was consistency,” she explains. “We wanted an impartial and consistent application of decisions. Players deserve a fair process, and now they have confidence their voices are heard.” Her work on the committee helped lay the foundation for the National Suspension Point Penalty System, ensuring uniform discipline and fairness nationwide.

Carisa and husband at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, NY

Even when organizational changes meant her beloved Area League Coordinator role would end, Carisa stayed focused on what mattered most: the players. “The underlying motivation was consistency,” she reflects. “Consistency in the product, the communication, the administration, and the mission. It was less about coordinating my local area and more about the overall product Mid-Atlantic was providing. Consistency was the key.” Her selfless guidance during the transition ensured a smooth handoff and continued growth for the program.

Her leadership also reached the national level. Carisa served on the USTA National League Committee, where she helped design tools to improve the captain and player experience nationwide. Yet, for all her influence, Carisa remains grounded in gratitude. “I’m absolutely honored to be selected for this award,” she says. “There are so many people who’ve accomplished amazing things for tennis. To be recognized among them is overwhelming.”

Carisa credits her success to a supportive network of family and colleagues. “My husband, Christopher, has been my biggest cheerleader, along with mentors like Pam Leibfried, Bill Fitzgibbon, and Lindsey Keeler. And of course, our players and captains. Their experience is the main goal!”

For Carisa, leadership means lifting others up and helping them find their place in the game. “There are so many ways to get involved in the world’s healthiest sport,” she says. “Find one that fits your strengths, and keep evolving. One door, or one court, always leads to another.”

Through every challenge and change, Carisa Dueweke has embodied what it means to be a true Game Changer. A leader who listens, inspires, and builds a stronger, fairer, and more connected tennis community.

Join Carisa and the Tennis Creates Awards honorees at the Tennis Creates Gala on Dec. 6 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington DC. All proceeds from the Gala and Fantasy Clinic benefit USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s mission to champion tennis for healthier lives and communities, making the sport accessible to all in the Mid-Atlantic.  Through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, Jr. Player Scholarships, Facility Restoration Grants, and Community Engagement Grants, the Foundation is ensuring that every person, regardless of background or zip code, can experience the lifelong benefits of tennis.

For more information, Tennis Creates Gala and Fantasy Clinic tickets, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit TennisCreatesGala.com. 

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

Ray Benton receiving the Visionary Award at the 2025 Tennis Creates Gala.

Join Us on Saturday, December 6 to Honor Visionary Leader Ray Benton

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is proud to announce Ray Benton as the recipient of the 2025 Tennis Creates Visionary Award.

As one of the most successful and influential executives in the tennis industry, Ray’s career has spanned decades of growing the sport of tennis as an agent, promoter, and, most impactfully, as the first Executive Director of the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network, which grew from four to 50 chapters during his tenure from 1971-77. Most recently, he has served as CEO of the Junior Tennis Champions Center since 2008, where his leadership has produced ATP and WTA professionals, more than 200 college scholarship athletes, and multiple USTA national honors for excellence in player development, programming, and facilities.

Join us on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C., for our Tennis Creates Gala as we celebrate Ray and the power of tennis to create community, character, and well-being.

About the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. The organization fosters community, character, and well-being through the sport, ensuring access and opportunities for all.

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Celebrate the Game-Changers: Nominations Now Open for the 2025 Tennis Creates Awards

Recipients of the 2024 Tennis Creates Awards group photos at the Salamander Hotel in Washington DC.
Nominate Today!

In the Mid-Atlantic tennis community, there is no shortage of individuals, organizations, and groups doing great things to grow tennis and change lives through the sport. From league captains who volunteer their time, to providers and coaches who commit to the advancement of their players and their communities through the sport. 

For over 100 years, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation has been creating community, character and well-being. Each year, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, a nonprofit organization, honors our members, players, providers, and organizers that support and grow tennis in the region and are excelling at many levels to go above and beyond for tennis and the well-being of others.

This year, USTA Mid-Atlantic will turn to the tennis community to nominate outstanding individuals and community providers for the annual Tennis Creates Awards which will continue to align with the guiding principles of Community, Character, and Well-being under the “USTA Mid-Atlantic Creates” theme. 

The award program is rooted with USTA Mid-Atlantic’s mission to promote tennis for healthier lives and communities, making the sport accessible to all in the Mid-Atlantic.” Awards emphasize and celebrate programs and people that create community, build character, and encourage overall well-being. 

Nominations are now OPEN and can be made through this form. You are encouraged to nominate any and all deserving individuals and providers that fulfill the criteria listed for the award categories. Plus, don’t forget to share and tell your tennis friends and organizations to make nominations also! 

The deadline for submitting nominations is July 5 An internal committee will review nominations and select winners. 

For questions and more information, please contact Wornden Ly at wly@mas.usta.com.

2025 USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Award Categories

Provider Champion:

Recognizing a Mid-Atlantic tennis provider of any type including: organizations, facilities, parks and recreation, clubs, school, coach (certified and community-level), tournament director, and other who has stepped up in the community to serve fun, inclusive, and welcoming tennis programs in the Mid-Atlantic that increase access and awareness of the sport. 

  • Consistently creates innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming among able body or adaptive tennis players within the USTA Mid-Atlantic region.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the growth of tennis in underserved communities. 
  • Used targeted outreach to diversify and engage individuals, communities, ethnicities who might not try tennis otherwise
  • Broadened reach and impact through partnerships and collaboration with other individuals and organizations
  • Goes above and beyond to make tennis welcoming (ie: fun, flexible, priced appropriately, accessible, geared toward varying ability and experience levels and ages, emphasizes sportsmanship).
  • Facilitate two or more USTA programs 
  • Registered tennis programs through USTA’s Serve Tennis.
  • USTA Safe Play approved and in good standing 
Nominate A Provider

Community Champion:

Recognizing a tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic region who has gone above and beyond to serve the community, grow tennis, and increase access to the sport in the region. 

  • All ages are eligible for this award category.
  • Participant in USTA Mid-Atlantic tennis events/programming (including but not limited to: USTA Mid-Atlantic tournaments, wheelchair tennis programming, JTT programs, USTA League, team challenges, junior circuit events, Mid-Atlantic team events, etc.) or active in the USTA Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Program.
  • Signed the Mid-Atlantic ACES Sportsmanship Pledge
Nominate A Gamechanger

Youth Leader:

Recognizing a youth tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic who exudes the ideals and values (community, character, well-being and DE&I) of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation both on and off the court. This award is given to someone who has demonstrated leadership skills for his/her team, character development with sportsmanship recognition, while encouraging and teaching/modeling respect for others, inclusivity and ethics.  

  • Age 17 and under
  • Participant in USTA Mid-Atlantic programs such as JTT, Tournaments (any level), Team Challenge/Junior Circuit programs and/or school tennis team (MS/HS); and/or a youth associated with a Mid-Atlantic organization (CTA/NJTL); and/or other Mid-Atlantic youth tennis programs (Girls Rule the Court, High School Ambassador program, Junior Scholarship recipient). 
  • Signed the Mid-Atlantic ACES Sportsmanship Pledge
Nominate A Youth Leader

Adult Leader:

Recognizing an adult tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic region who exudes the ideals and values (community, character, well-being and DE&I) of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation both on and off the court. This individual is a proponent for tennis, supporting the growth of the sport, advocates for tennis and encourages others to get involved in the game. This award is given to someone who has volunteered and/or supported the philanthropic growth of USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation and/or demonstrated leadership skills for his/her team, community program, and/or tennis facility, and consistently showcases sportsmanship. 

  • Age 18 and older
  • Participant in USTA Leagues, Tournaments, Adult Social programming, Tennis On Campus, College tennis or community organizers involved in Park & Recreation departments, NJTL and/or CTA organizations; or involved in Girls Rule the Court 
  • Can also include parents/guardians whose children are involved in a form of USTA Mid-Atlantic programming
  • Can also include volunteers registered on the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Volunteer Hub
  • Signed the Mid-Atlantic Sportsmanship ACES Pledge (if a parent and/or player in USTA Programs).
Nominate an Adult Leader

Tennis in the Classroom:

Recognizing administrators, teachers, and school tennis providers (i.e. high school and middle school team coaches, school administrators/athletic directors, school parent liaisons, and/or after school tennis program leaders) who go above and beyond to keep their students active with tennis. Nominations open for those working within grades K-12 in the Mid-Atlantic region. USTA SafePlay approved and in good standing. 

  • Physical Education Teachers  
  • High School Tennis Team Coach
  • Middle School Tennis Team Coach
  • After School Tennis Leader 
  • School or Association Administrator
Nominate a Coach

Coach of the Year:

This award is given to a coach/provider in the Mid-Atlantic who ensures their programming can be played by all ages and ability levels and that all who play have the opportunity to benefit from the long-lasting physical and social-emotional aspects of the sport.

  • Be a registered teaching professional and/or certified coach, or a community-level/school-based coach
  • Safe Play approved and in good standing 
  • Create innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming
  • Demonstrates commitment to introducing the sport to new audiences; developing players of all ability levels; and retaining players throughout the tennis pathway that is most beneficial to the individual(s).
Nominate Today!

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USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being. Make an impact beyond the net and donate today.

To find more information on past USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation award winners, click here.

Creating Joy and Confidence One Player at a Time

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is proud to shine a light on the people who make a difference both on and off the court. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission, and their dedication helps create a community where tennis is accessible, inclusive and inspiring for all.

This is the story of Narguess, a passionate tennis player and volunteer who is using the sport to build confidence, spark joy and strengthen communities across the Mid-Atlantic.

Narguess first got involved with USTA Mid-Atlantic in 2023 as a volunteer for Kids’ Day at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. She remembers the experience as energetic, exciting and deeply inspiring.

“It was incredible seeing so many young players excited about the game and being part of a professional tournament atmosphere,” she said. “There is something so powerful about watching that spark happen in real time.”

That spark is exactly what keeps Narguess coming back. Since her first experience, she has become a regular volunteer at several USTA Mid-Atlantic events, including Girls Rule the Court™ and the Tennis Creates Gala.

“I have always been passionate about both tennis and community service,” she said. “So volunteering with these programs was a natural fit. It is rewarding to share the game I love while also giving back and creating positive experiences for others through tennis.”

Whether helping young girls build confidence on the court, supporting large-scale youth events, or celebrating the impact of tennis at the Foundation’s gala, Narguess sees each opportunity as a chance to connect, uplift and grow alongside others.

Each program brings something different to the table. Girls Rule the Court empowers young girls and builds leadership. Kids Day events bring joyful energy and introduce tennis to children in fun, accessible ways. And the Tennis Creates Gala gives supporters and volunteers a space to reflect and celebrate the work they are doing together.

“At the Gala, I was especially moved by hearing firsthand stories of how tennis has changed people’s lives,” she said. “It reminded me why I choose to give back. Tennis really is a tool for personal growth and community transformation.”

For Narguess, the most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing the excitement and pride on the faces of young players as they improve and believe in themselves.

“Whether it is a child hitting their first successful shot or a girl realizing her potential, those are the moments that stick with me,” she said. “They are growing in confidence and learning how capable they are.”

Volunteering has also shaped Narguess’s connection to the USTA Mid-Atlantic community. It has helped her meet like-minded people, build relationships and find a deeper purpose through the sport.

“Tennis is more than just a game,” she said. “It teaches discipline, resilience and teamwork. Being able to help others access that same experience means everything to me.”

When asked what advice she would give someone thinking about volunteering, her response is heartfelt and simple.

“Some of the most meaningful experiences do not cost anything,” she said. “Giving your time without expecting anything in return often leads to the most rewarding and fulfilling moments. Just show up. You never know the impact you can have.”

There’s a place for you here. Find a volunteer opportunity that fits your passion on our Volunteer Hub.

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

From Strings to Sustainability: How Two College Tennis Players Are Restringing the Future of Fashion with Orobor

As the world gears up to celebrate Earth Day, sustainability stories from unexpected places are resonating louder than ever. One such story begins not in a lab or a boardroom, but on the tennis courts of Boston University. Meet Jakob Esterowitz and Jonah Dickson, Division I tennis players and the co-founders of Orobor, a sustainable startup that’s turning discarded tennis strings into high-quality polyester yarn for clothing manufacturing.

A Match Made in Tennis (and Sustainability)

Jakob and Jonah’s bond started as doubles partners at Boston University, but it didn’t take long for their shared passion for tennis, fashion, and the environment to spark something bigger. Jakob, who grew up playing in the USTA Mid-Atlantic region, had been running a fashion brand when he started questioning the origins of his materials. “When my manufacturer couldn’t tell me where the fabric was coming from, I dug deeper,” Jakob recalls. What he found was a fashion industry riddled with environmental challenges—and a tennis world generating millions of pounds of waste in the form of broken polyester strings.

Rather than letting that insight go out of bounds, the duo served up a solution: collect used tennis strings, recycle them, and repurpose the material into something new. And just like that, Orobor was born.

Closing the Loop with Orobor

The name “Orobor” draws inspiration from the ancient symbol of the ouroboros—a snake that eats its tail, representing an infinite cycle. That symbolism isn’t lost on Jakob and Jonah, who are striving to build a circular economy that links tennis and textiles.

“We’re collecting used strings from over 70 locations across the U.S.,” Jonah says. “And we’re currently running pilot tests at two universities to convert those strings into yarn.” Their process not only prevents microplastics from entering the environment but also reduces carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to the production of virgin polyester.

Unlike traditional polyester, which is derived from crude oil, Orobor’s method avoids the extraction of new raw materials. “We’re taking what would otherwise end up in a landfill and transforming it into something useful again,” Jakob explains.

Balancing Classes, Championships, and Change

Being full-time student-athletes and entrepreneurs is no small feat. Jonah, a graduate student, and Jakob, who transferred to BU from Amherst College, are juggling rigorous class schedules, competitive tennis seasons, and the demands of a growing startup.

“It’s all about organization,” said Jonah. “You have to prioritize your health, your goals, and stay grounded in your mission.” Jakob adds that their experiences as competitive athletes have helped them stay resilient. “Tennis teaches you to solve problems and bounce back—it’s the same mindset we bring to Orobor.”

And yes, they’re still winning on the court, too. Last season, Jakob and Jonah helped BU secure its first-ever Patriot League title and a historic NCAA tournament appearance.

Building Partnerships and Measuring Impact

The startup has been gaining traction within the tennis community, working with stringers, clubs, and college programs to collect materials. “Getting that first response can be tough,” Jonah admits. “But once people hear what we’re doing, they want to be part of it.”

To track their impact, Orobor uses metrics like CO₂ savings and microplastic diversion equivalents. One fun fact they share? The amount of string they’ve personally gone through is equal to about 727 plastic bottles’ worth of waste.

They’ve also received support from BU’s Innovate@BU program, earning grants and mentorship to help bring their idea to life. “Our first investment was a $500 grant for collection boxes,” Jakob laughs. “And now we’re scaling up thanks to the guidance from mentors and peers.”

Looking Ahead: From Courts to Closets

What’s next for Orobor? The team is focused on expanding to over 250 string collection sites by summer and building relationships with professional tournaments and apparel brands. In the long term, they hope to expand beyond tennis, contributing to broader changes in the textile industry.

“Our goal is to make tennis more sustainable first, because it’s the sport we love,” Jakob says. “Then, we want to take everything we’ve learned and apply it to other industries.”

How You Can Help

Supporting Orobor is as simple as spreading the word. “If you’re a tennis player, tell your stringer. If you work at a club or tournament, reach out to us,” Jonah says. “Every string counts.”

You can connect with them at orobor.org or on LinkedIn under Orobor. Facilities and brands interested in getting involved can also fill out contact forms on their website or email Jakob and Jonah directly.

As Jakob puts it, “We’re just two tennis players trying to make a difference. And we’re grateful for all the support from the tennis world—especially the Mid-Atlantic community that raised me.”