News

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., November 15, 2021 – The United States Tennis Association announced Doug Rice, Lynda Hinshaw, Scotty Moore, and Beverly Kris Jaeger-Helton as the winners of the Nicholas E. Powell Award, Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. Award, Jr. McGovern Award, and John T. McGovern Award, respectively. The awards, which honor those individuals who serve the game of tennis with distinction in their capacity as officials and/or chair umpires, will be given out at the 2021 Annual Umpire Awards, to be held virtually on November 19.

“We are fortunate to have talented and dedicated officials such as Doug, Lynda, Scotty and Beverly, who are truly making an impact in growing tennis at the grass-roots level,” said Sean Cary, USTA Managing Director, Competition Operations. “Their leadership, work ethic and passion for the game are just a few of the reasons why they’re so deserving of this recognition.”

Given each year to a grass-roots official, the USTA Nicholas E. Powel Award recognizes the importance of officiating at the local level. Since 1990, the award has been given to officials who work primarily at sectional/amateur events, have a supportive attitude toward grass-roots programs, and are positive role models. Rice, of Sandusky, Ohio, has more than 10 years of officiating experience at the grass-roots level, and has become a well-known, knowledgeable and respected official throughout the Midwest tournament circuit. Rice has won multiple awards and recognitions and has worked significant events throughout his career including— Northwest Ohio Umpire of the Year (2013-14), US Open Selection (2014-present), Site Referee at the Junior Orange Bowl, (2018-present), Umpire of the Year-Boy’s National Championships (2015), Frank Dowling Award, USTA Midwest (2020) and many others.

The Woodie Walker CARE award recognizes a tennis official whose contributions to the game and to the USTA distinguish them not only for their long-standing service to the sport but for exemplifying the qualities “Woodie” Walker has represented during her decades of leadership in the field, specifically those that represent the award’s acronym: Commitment, Accountability, Respectability, and Excellence. Hinshaw, of Richmond, Ind., has more than 40 years of experience in the industry. She was instrumental in developing a classroom curriculum that was used throughout the country, and also has served as a National Trainer Evaluator for more than 20 years. Hinshaw is known by her peers and by players for always displaying integrity, professionalism and leadership on and off the court, as well as for bringing in new officials and mentoring the next generation of officials. Hinshaw has been very active serving in different posts in the USTA Midwest Section as well as serving as vice-chair of the USTA National Officiating Committee. She also has experience as an official in professional tennis at major events, including the US Open, WTA and ATP events, Davis Cup, and others.

The Jr. McGovern Award is awarded for outstanding on-court officiating by a relatively new official who shows talent and potential. The award recognizes service and excellence by younger officials. Moore of Wilmington, N.C., was recognized for his outstanding career to date as a tennis official, as well as for his leadership skills and work ethic. Moore is an excellent bronze badge chair umpire and continuously shows improvement at each event that he works. His personal qualities of being thoughtful, respectful, genuine, humble and caring have been recognized by his peers as attributes that set him apart from others.

The John T. McGovern Award is given out to a USTA-certified chair or line umpire with at least 10 years of service who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to tennis officiating. Jaeger-Helton of Boston, Mass., has two decades of experience and holds a bronze badge in chair umpiring from the International Tennis Federation (ITF). In an impressive career, she has worked at all four Grand Slams tournaments, three Olympic Games, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and multiple ATP, WTA and USTA Pro Circuit events in the chair, on the lines and as a review official. Jaeger-Helton has been on the USTA Officials’ Coaching and Mentoring Team, and worked as a USTA National Trainer, focusing on training chair umpires. Additionally, Jaeger-Helton volunteers in Boston at the “Volley Against Violence” Tennis Program with the Boston Police for local city youth, and she has received the College of Engineering Mentoring Award at Boston’s Northeastern University.