The Middle States Section (USTA Middle States) of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently announced its 2017 USTA Middle States Hall of Fame inductees, bestowing the honor upon David Anthony Abrams, Connie Ebert, Jeff Harrison and Julian Krinsky. The 23rd edition of the ceremony, dinner and auction is scheduled to take place in October at RiverCrest Country Club in Pennsylvania.
“This class has accomplished some truly amazing feats in our tennis community,” said Hall of Fame Chair Lance Lee. “All four of these individuals have made a substantial impact on our sport and on the USTA community as a whole. They’re a truly deserving group.”
Taking place in 2015, the last induction ceremony raised funds to benefit the Middle States Tennis Patrons’ Foundation, which supports junior tennis and tennis education programs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and northwestern West Virginia.
Established in 1994, the prestigious Hall boasts 103 inductees including tennis legend and women’s rights pioneer Billie Jean King, and former USTA Presidents Jane Brown Grimes, Dave Haggerty (currently International Tennis Federation president), Merv Heller, Judy Levering (first female USTA president) and Martin Tressel. A gathering of tennis enthusiasts and preservationists, the event aims to provide an opportunity for all who love the game of tennis to celebrate the past and support the future.
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DAVID ANTHONY ABRAMS
D.A. Abrams is the chief diversity officer of the United States Tennis Association and author of several books including ”Diversity & Inclusion: The Big Six Formula For Success," “The Inclusion Solution: My Big Six Formula for Success,” “New-School Leadership: Making a Difference in the 21st Century,” and "Certified Association Executive Exam: Strategies for Study & Success."
Golden State Warriors legend Alvin Attles, USTA NorCal advisory director Michael Cooke, Beyond the Baseline Icon Award recipient Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, and D.A. Abrams, chief diversity & inclusion officer in 2013.
Currently the chief diversity and inclusion officer of the United States Tennis Association, David Anthony Abrams has been with the USTA for 20 years on both national and section levels. Abrams was born and raised in North Philadelphia, where he served as director of recruitment for the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center (now the Legacy Youth Tennis and Education). The forward thinking leader has proven his ability and talent to lead, motivate, and work well with individuals of diverse backgrounds, capabilities and interests.
A student of the legendary Bill Johnson, Abrams was a Millersville University student-athlete, eventually earning a Master’s degree from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. Becoming the first African-American executive director of a USTA regional office, the USTA Missouri Valley section, he has served as the USTA’s National Junior Tennis League (now National Junior Tennis and Learning) national coordinator and its national director of outreach. A Certified Association Executive, Abrams has authored several books including ”Diversity & Inclusion: The Big Six Formula For Success," “The Inclusion Solution: My Big Six Formula for Success,” “New-School Leadership: Making a Difference in the 21st Century,” and "Certified Association Executive Exam: Strategies for Study & Success."
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JULIAN KRINSKY
Julian Krinsky, with president and founder of the IMG Academy Bollettieri tennis program, Nick Bollettieri, and Julian’s wife, Tina, at The Championships, Wimbledon.
Former Philadelphia Mayor, Michael Nutter, and Julian Krinsky. With students from over 40 states and 40 Countries attending his Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs, Krinsky has carved a significant niche in youth programming and educational experiences. “Over the years we continually add classes that students request; that’s how we've developed programs students love,” said Krinsky.
“We listen to our customers and trend spot.,” says Julian Krinsky. “Then we develop curricula with the experts: professional chefs, artists and designers, college professors and touring tennis pros,” he said speaking on 39 years of servicing youth through programs, classes and trips.
Krinsky has not made waste of his 48 years since playing at Wimbledon and Roland-Garros. Having incubated more than 500 tennis professionals and educated more than 100,000 students, The Julian Krinsky School of Tennis has blossomed into a behemoth from a seed that was planted by an enduring lifelong passion. Today, Krinsky enjoys utilizing the game of tennis as a vehicle for teaching young people about the game of life, while serving as a very successful and innovative business model.
“Julian after 30 years of being around you and seeing first hand the thousands of young people you inspired, educated, and made a difference too - thank you,” said Mark Spann, fellow South African and managing partner of Pennsylvania’s Upper Dublin Sports Center Tennis & Fitness.
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JEFF HARRISON
Jeff Harrison, a Wilmington, Delaware native, is a former University of Delaware four-time letter winner. A business development officer with Stewart Title and co-founder of PRISM Partners Sports Marketing, Harrison has served in multiple roles as a volunteer with the USTA.
Jeff Harrison (2nd from L) joined Billie Jean King (2nd from R) and the Mylan World TeamTennis presented by GEICO in 1997. He currently serves as vice president of WTT League Properties, managing and overseeing all league-owned teams, the WTT Finals and WTT Smash Hits.
As an exceptional college player at the University of Delaware, a promoter who broke new ground bringing elite players to our area and as a dedicated volunteer, Harrison has motivated kids and adults alike to engage in the sport of tennis. The USTA Middle States Delaware District Hall of Famer has served the game, and the USTA, on all levels, including as Delaware District president, Middle States Section president and USTA chair of delegates.
Harrison has worked for IMG in the tennis and golf divisions and has been involved in every level of the USTA. Most recently as president of USTA Middle States and for the past 15 years as the vice president of World Team Tennis where he oversaw a variety of professional teams, the WTT Finals and Smash Hits (Elton John and Billie Jean’s annual celebrity tennis event).
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CONNIE EBERT
Borin in the 1920s, Connie Ebert first learned to play tennis in the 1950s at a YMCA adult tennis camp. In 2015 she received the USTA’s Seniors’ Service Award for her outstanding dedication and contribution in helping to grow the sport of tennis at the local level.
Standing L-R: Jeri Ingram, Jesse and Pam Ponwith, Malivai Washington; Sitting L-R: Connie Ebert, Katrina Adams, Harlon Matthews. Ebert was among the honorees, recognized for her decades if dedication to growing the game, at the 2015 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida.
Ebert’s life-long dedication for tennis has influenced thousands to try tennis, volunteer and stay involved. As a player and volunteer herself, she epitomizes tennis as a lifetime sport. Many of her tournament successes have occurred during her golden years for which she received the USTA Seniors’ Service Award in 2015.
“When you talk about tennis being the sport of a lifetime, Connie truly epitomizes that since she has been around tennis for over 65 years,” said Kurt Kamperman, the USTA’s chief executive of Community Tennis. “She continues to grow the game by bringing tennis to individuals of all ages and abilities.”
Ebert’s career in volunteering began when her sons were young, as she helped recruit and train ball boys for the U.S. Pro Indoor men’s tennis tournament in Philadelphia—a position she held for more than 25 years. A graduate of Philadelphia’s John Bartram High School, Ebert is a lifetime USTA member that has volunteered within the USTA family for nearly half a century.