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Shirley Damiano, Darren Potkey and Carl Richko Honored for Officiating Excellence

ORLANDO, Fla., April 24, 2026 – The USTA today announced that distinguished tennis officials Shirley Damiano, Darren Potkey and Carl Richko were honored for their dedicated and exemplary service to the game of tennis at the USTA’s Umpire Awards, which were held virtually last night.

Damiano received the Woodie Walker C.A.R.E. award, which recognizes a tennis official whose contributions to the game best exemplify ‘Commitment, Accountability, Responsibility, and Excellence,’ qualities that legendary official Phyllis “Woodie” Walker represented during her decades of leadership in the field. Damiano, of Syracuse, N.Y., and the USTA Eastern section, has dedicated more than 45 years to officiating at all levels, and has been recognized as one of the profession’s preeminent mentors. She was also a head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Le Moyne College in Syracuse for 25 years and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2002.

Potkey received the John T. McGovern Award, which recognizes a USTA-certified chair or line umpire with at least 10 years of service who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to tennis officiating. Potkey, of Powder Springs, Ga., and the USTA Southern section, is a Silver Badge Referee and has been at the forefront of officiating in the U.S. for more than 30 years. Currently the Executive Director of USTA Georgia and the Georgia Tennis Foundation, and previously the director of junior competition at USTA SoCal, Potkey has been recognized and honored for his many contributions to the game throughout his career and is well-known for his genuine, supportive and diligent approach.

Richko received the Nicholas E. Powel Award, which 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 grassroots programs and are positive role models. Richko, of Hewitt, N.J., and USTA Eastern, has been described as a “backbone” of officiating in New Jersey and the Eastern Section, and officiates junior, adult, high school and college tennis events throughout his state and section each year. He has previously been honored with USTA Eastern’s Umpire Service Award, and has been instrumental in building opportunities for umpire training and shadowing throughout the section.

“Shirley, Darren and Carl each exemplify excellence in officiating and have come to embody everything that’s good in our game,” said Jake Garner, Managing Director, Competition Operations, USTA, and US Open Tournament Referee. “The leadership they’ve shown over the years, along with their work ethic and passion for ensuring fair play at every level, are just a few of the reasons why they’re so deserving of this recognition.”