Georgia

Mary Hatfield, 2019, Georgia

Exacting Professional & Volunteer

Mary Hatfield has come full circle. She started in the USTA family as a volunteer, moved into the office as a staffer, and is now back giving her time as a committee chairman.

In all those roles – paid and unpaid – Hatfield excelled as a consummate professional.

Beginning in her local community, Hatfield made contributions on the state, sectional and national levels.

A resident of McDonough, Ga., Hatfield spent the early part of her career in the classroom, teaching in middle school. Away from school, her volunteer energy was concentrated in developing the Macon Tennis Association’s (MTA) presence in the community. She was instrumental in focusing the MTA and other community tennis associations (CTA) on delivering a variety of tennis program. Also, she encouraged USTA Southern to mentor CTAs.

She was the recipient of three MTA awards: the Fred Hill Community Service Award, the Official of the Year Award and one accolade that is named for her – the Mary Hatfield Spirit of Tennis Award. The Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau recognized her with two awards: the Macon Believer Award and the VIP Award.

Randy Stephens, a former USTA Southern President & CEO and 2014 Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, spoke about Hatfield’s contribution to their community: “Mary was the first paid employee of the Macon Tennis Association. I believe she was paid $100 a week, which meant she made about 10 cents an hour! She professionalized the way community tennis associations should be run – a true trailblazer for CTAs across the country. Mary’s contributions to the growth of tennis in Macon were tremendous and we will always be grateful to her. Being inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame is an honor well deserved.”

Tapped to help on a statewide basis, she served on five USTA Georgia committees, chairing the USTA Adult League and Community Development committees. She served on the Board of Directors for six years, rising to President and Secretary.

In a 2014 interview, Hatfield told this story about running a junior tournament: “I remember getting reamed out by a father because we ran out of parmesan cheese. It was kind of funny because it must’ve been in the latter ’90s because he was going to send a letter to the president of the Georgia Tennis Association. I handed him my card so he would have my address … since I was the president. Then, for weeks afterwards, every time I turned around somebody was bringing me these little packages of parmesan cheese as a joke.”

Hatfield was honored with five USTA Georgia awards: Ruth Lay Award, Community Service Award, Tournament Director of the Year, League Coordinator of the Year and Educational Merit Award.

USTA Southern also relied on her expertise. She was named to the USTA Southern Board of Directors as a Delegate at Large. She was the chair of the State Presidents and Community Development committees, and also served on the USTA Adult League Committee. She is the recipient of the section’s Jacobs Bowl (its highest honor), Gerrie Rothwell and Educational Merit awards.

On the national level, Hatfield was honored with the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Award. She has served as Community Development Chairman, along with being a member of the Junior Recreation Committee.

For 11 years, Hatfield worked in the USTA Southern junior department with Bill Ozaki and Sandy Hastings, completing a troika of veteran Southern junior experts. She retired in 2013. Originally, she was tasked with overseeing the use of TennisLink in the section. Recounting the hiring process, Hatfield said the USTA Southern Executive Board wanted Executive Director & COO John Callen “to hire somebody that would be helping our people with [TennisLink] customers, etc. and the committee told him to go find somebody. Two weeks later he called me.”

Later she was assigned to promote a program that was one of her great passions: Junior Team Tennis.

Hatfield is now hard at work again, once more as a volunteer. Based on her years of heading the program, she chaired the USTA Georgia Junior Team Tennis Committee before being named to the similar position as the USTA Southern Junior Team Tennis Committee Chairman and the Grants Subcommittee Chair. Currently she volunteers on Georgia’s Adult League Committee.

She noted, “I enjoy playing [USTA] League tennis. Since retiring I’ve served as captain of two or three teams a season. Of all the awards, the greatest accomplishment to me is the friends I’ve had the opportunity to make.

In his nomination of Hatfield, Hastings wrote, “Off court, both professionally and personally, Mary sought to live a life of high standards and, as a result of that, in working with her, you too were held to that high standard. She was not content in achieving at a lower standard and would not settle for those who worked with her to do so either. When you sat down to discuss an issue with Mary, through her personal understanding of how to correctly address a situation and how it should be handled, you came away more knowledgeable and a better person. Her continual efforts in encouraging you to properly manage the multitude and variety of situations propelled each of us who worked with her to a higher professional level.”

Hastings’ tribute echoes many who worked with Hatfield throughout her tennis career.

Mary Hatfield, Georgia, 2019

Honored with the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Award
Recipient of the USTA Southern Jacobs Bowl (its highest honor), Gerrie Rothwell and Educational Merit awards
Honored with five USTA Georgia awards: Ruth Lay Award, Community Service Award, Tournament Director of the Year, League Coordinator of the Year and Educational Merit Award
Developed the Macon Tennis Association’s presence in the community, an example of an outstanding local organization for other CTAs in the country
Named to the USTA Southern Board of Directors as a Delegate at Large
Chaired the USTA Southern Junior Team Tennis Committee Chairman, USTA Southern Grants Subcommittee and the USTA Georgia Junior Team Tennis Committee
For 11 years, Hatfield worked in the USTA Southern junior department as the Manager of Junior Team Tennis & TennisLink

Gordon A. Smith, Georgia, 2019

Leading the USTA as Volunteer and Executive

The pinnacle of Gordon Smith’s leadership at the top of the USTA national staff may be the complete transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, including two roofed stadiums. As USTA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Smith also oversaw the construction of 100 courts and the nation’s largest and most advanced tennis facility at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. However, the many building blocks that led him on an outstanding career in tennis were in place decades earlier.

A native of Brevard, N.C., Smith grew up in Rome, Ga., honing his game by playing on some courts that didn’t have fences. By the time he attended Darlington School, he was on the path to be state high school champion and the top ranked junior in the State in singles and doubles.

His next step to tennis glory led to the University of Georgia, where he played under legendary coach and 1981 Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Dan Magill. During Smith’s four years at UGA, from 1972-75, the Bulldogs were four-time SEC champions. He served as captain and was a two-time All-SEC selection. As a senior, he also captured the conference #1 doubles title with current UGA coach Manny Diaz.

Smith stayed at the University and earned his Juris Doctorate with honors from the Georgia Law School. His accomplishments at, and beyond, UGA were showcased in 2014 when he received the Bill Hartman Award, which recognizes former University of Georgia student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and/or in service to others for 20 or more years of superior performance after graduation.

While working as an attorney in Atlanta, Smith rose to senior partner of King & Spalding, which was cited as one of the top 50 law firms in the world. Former USTA Southern President Mike McNulty noted in his nomination of Smith that he was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, recognized in multiple editions of “The Best Lawyers in America,” and named in a variety of listings including Who’s Who Legal, Chambers and Partners, and Georgia Super Lawyers, among others.

Smith kept his hand in the game and volunteered at USTA Southern for two decades, receiving the Jacobs Bowl as the Southern Section’s outstanding volunteer in 1995. He served as USTA Southern’s counsel for many years and served on multiple committees before rising through positions on the Board of Directors. In 2003, Smith was elected President of the Southern Section. He also served multiple terms as a Trustee of the Southern Tennis Foundation.

Smith’s recognition soon ranged far beyond the South as he volunteered on USTA committees, including the Budget, Compensation, Public Affairs and Strategic Planning Committees. He served as Chair of the Constitution and Rules Committee and as Vice Chair of the Grievance Committee. He became a Director at Large on the USTA Board of Directors and served three years as Vice President. He also served on the USTA Tennis and Education Foundation.

He was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2010, the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012, the Rome -Floyd (Ga.) County Sports Hall of Fame and was named a Darlington School Distinguished Alumnus in 2011.

In November 2007, Smith dove into full-time service to tennis when he accepted the post of USTA Executive Director and COO. His title of COO was elevated to CEO in early 2018.

McNulty wrote, “He has overseen the introduction and roll out of the USTA’s historic Net Generation and 10 and Under Tennis initiatives and has been at the helm for the unprecedented growth of the US Open, which has posted increasing annual attendance and revenue.” McNulty also cited the building of the USTA National Campus and the establishment of two ATP tournaments in Southern states (the BB&T Atlanta Open and the Winston-Salem Open) as extraordinary achievements.

Recent improvements to the fan-friendly atmosphere of the US Open have been roundly lauded by visitors and the media. Most notable among these USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center improvements were adding a retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium and a second retractable cover over the newly rebuilt Louis Armstrong Stadium. Among the other instant favorites are the new Grandstand, Court 17, expanded walkways and improved dining choices.

Not all of Smith’s leadership has been about tennis courts. During his continuing tenure, the USTA has worked tirelessly to promote diversity on and off the court. Also, in an effort to expand the reach of the sport, there has been an increased focus on programs that attract juniors and young adults.

USTA Southern Executive Director John Callen noted that Smith touched so many aspects of greatness, he was an excellent player, tireless talented volunteer, outstanding lawyer, thoughtful leader, and a great family man.
In her support letter for Smith’s nomination, 2017 Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Pat Devoto wrote, “In his life as a community volunteer, no one has served in more varied posts or with more distinction than Gordon.”
There are many throughout the South who couldn’t agree more.

Gordon A. Smith, Georgia, 2019

Accepted the post of USTA Executive Director and COO (which was later elevated to CEO)
Led the transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, including two roofed stadiums
Oversaw the construction of the nation’s largest tennis facility at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla.
Served as USTA Director at Large on the USTA Board of Directors and three years as Vice President
Four-time SEC champion while playing for the University of Georgia, from 1972-75, served as captain and was a two-time All-SEC selection
Awarded the Jacobs Bowl as the USTA Southern outstanding volunteer and elected USTA Southern President & CEO in 2003
Inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2010, the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Rome -Floyd (Ga.) County Sports Hall of Fame

Tom Smith, Georgia, 2018

Top Senior Player from Alpharetta, GA

Few Southern players have shown the devotion to playing high-level tennis at all ages as Tom Smith.

While Smith turned 65 this year, he keeps up an active playing schedule in adult tournaments and USTA League. A resident of Alpharetta, GA, a northern suburb of Atlanta, he also plays on Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) teams.

Among his long list of accomplishments are winning a World Individual Doubles Championship with Southern and Georgia Tennis Hall of Famer Hugh Thomson as well as 43 gold balls (emblematic of capturing USTA national championships). He has also collected 25 silver balls (which go to finalists) and 13 bronze balls (for third-place finishes). In addition, he was honored many times as Senior Player of the Year by USTA Southern, USTA Georgia and USPTA Southern section.

Smith was a member of the 2012 Men’s Super Seniors 9.0 combined USTA League national champion team that also featured two Southern Tennis Hall of Fame members (Steve Duffel and Thomson) as well as Marty Pearson, a Mississippi Tennis Hall of Famer.

A notable force on the world tennis stage, Smith has been selected by the USTA to represent the USA on the ITF Vets World Senior Davis Cup Team 10 times and served as the team captain six times. In 2013 they won the world championship in Austria.

“The first time I played on a national team was 2002. Playing for your country is the greatest feeling,” Smith said. “It was fantastic to be standing there with ‘USA’ on our backs at the (ITF World Championships) opening ceremonies.”

Smith has always enjoyed playing doubles more than singles. Even though he’s won five Gold Balls in singles, he explained, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to play singles. … I’ve always enjoyed the team aspect of doubles. I’ll always say yes when asked to play on a team, whether it be for the United States or a USTA League team.”

Smith has won national championships with 16 different partners, many of those being Hall of Famers in their own right. In fact, Phil Landauer, a Floridian who is in the Midwest Tennis Hall of Fame, has been Smith’s most frequent partner.

In 2008 Smith had a career year. Playing with Landauer, they won the “Golden Grand Slam” by taking four USTA national titles on four different surfaces: hard, clay, grass and indoor. That year Smith received USTA Southern’s Slew Hester Male Player of the Year award.

Landauer, who played at the University of Arkansas, remembered the last match to seal the 2008 slam, “A windstorm delayed all the matches that day by five hours which moved our match into the 20,000-seat stadium court (where we ended up playing our most important match) with only seven people watching.”

Smith grew up in Southern California and first started playing on asphalt courts in Buena Park. A self-taught tennis player, he never competed in the juniors but played on his junior high and high school teams. Smith attended the University of California at Long Beach on a tennis scholarship.

“I’ve never taken a tennis lesson,” said Smith, who was also the captain of his high school basketball team. He explained that in junior high and high school, none of his coaches were tennis players. “Even at Long Beach State, our coach just came out to run drills and make up the lineup.”

Smith was a policeman in Los Angeles County before moving to Atlanta, where he now resides with his wife, Debbie. They have five children between them.

Tom Smith, Georgia, 2018

Achieved the rare “Golden Grand Slam” by taking USTA national titles on four different surfaces with Phil Landauer in 2008
Won the World Individual Doubles Championship with Hugh Thomson
Winner of 43 gold balls (emblematic of capturing USTA national championships)
Collected 25 silver balls and 13 bronze balls in USTA championships
Honored with the 2008 USTA Southern Slew Hester Male Player of the Year award
Named Senior Player of the Year by USTA Georgia and USPTA Southern section
Member of the 2012 Men’s Super Seniors 9.0 combined USTA League national champions
Came in third or better in a USTA championship in every year since 1995

Tom Smith

Pat Devoto, Georgia, 2017

Pat Devoto: The “Mother of USTA League tennis”

In 1978, Pat Devoto was among a small group of volunteers who pioneered a new program. Growing from that grassroots innovation to the nation’s most popular tennis program, she jumpstarted USTA Leagues. Marilyn Sherman called her “the mother of USTA League tennis” when Devoto was honored with the 2005 Charlie B. Morris Jr. Service Award from USTA Southern.

This accomplishment was cited earlier in 2016 when Devoto was the recipient of the USTA League Volunteer Award. USTA Executive Director & COO Gordon Smith remarked, “Pat Devoto’s contributions to our League program are legendary. I shudder to think where our League program would be if she hadn’t been at the right place at the right time.”

Based on Devoto’s experience and vision, more than a half-million Americans gather weekly to team tennis.

But, forming an adult tennis institution was just the start of her involvement in USTA. Over thirty years she has been a consistent presence and force in promoting tennis through volunteering. For her long-time service, Devoto, of Decatur, Ga., received the Jacobs Bowl in 2013, USTA Southern’s highest honor.

On the local front, she served as the Vice President of USTA Georgia and two-time President of USTA Atlanta. On the sectional level she served as Director at Large on the USTA Southern Board of Directors, along with being a member of the League, Marketing, Olympic, Membership, School/After School, Public Relations, Community Programs committees and on the Publications Task Force.

On the national level she was appointed to the following USTA committees: Leagues, Olympic, Membership, Public Relations, Marketing, Publishing and Schools/Afterschool.

In Atlanta, she coordinated volunteers at the 1996 Olympic tennis center, co-founded Techwood GAP, an afterschool program of intercity youth and coordinated student volunteers for the Davis Cup tie. Additionally, she worked as a State League Coordinator and managed Dekalb Tennis Center for an extended period.

Devoto was the founder and tournament director of the Southern Cities Championship. This women’s competition served teams from throughout the Southern Section for 18 years and dispensed thousands of dollars to local charities by way of the winning teams.

Two other programs are close to her heart: “Reading for Racquets” based out of Dadeville, Alabama and designed to bring tennis to elementary and high school children. Additionally, she makes a monthly visit to the Montgomery Women’s Facility in Montgomery Alabama, to conduct an ongoing book club and has introduced tennis to the women there. As a result “The Alabama Slammers” are a member club of the USTA.

An accomplished novelist, her latest novel “The Team” is about – believe it or not – a women’s tennis team. Other well-known books include “My Last Days as Roy Rogers” and “Out of the Night that Covers Me.” She writes under the name of Pat Cunningham Devoto.

The Alabama native received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee. She taught high school social studies for several years. Besides earning a private pilot’s license she has served on the Board of Directors of Aid to Inmate Mothers, Alabama; Board of Directors of the Dekalb Historical Society, Dekalb County, Georgia; President, Pace Academy Parent’s Booster Club, in Atlanta and President of her neighborhood Swim and Tennis Club, in Decatur, Ga.

Pat Devoto, Georgia, 2017

Considered the founder of USTA Leagues, often described as the largest adult league in the world with more than 500,000 players
The second recipient of the national USTA League Volunteer Award, presented to her in September 2016
Founding Director of Reading For Racquets, which uses a multidisciplinary approach to teach tennis and its culture to elementary schoolchildren
Southern Cities Championship Founding Director and director for 18 years of this women’s charity tennis event that has awarded thousands of dollars to winning tennis teams to be contributed back to their designated local charity.
Served two terms as president of USTA Atlanta
Served on the USTA Southern Board of Directors as a Delegate at Large
Writing as Pat Cunningham Devoto, the author of numerous novels, including “My Last Days as Roy Rogers,” “Out of the Night that Covers Me” and “The Team,” which is about a women’s tennis team

Frank Willett, Georgia, 1986

Frank Willett, Georgia, inducted in 1986

Won 1940 National Indoor Boys title.
Received USTA’s Jacobs Bowl and Touchstone Sportsmanship Awards.
Played on Earl Bortell’s Georgia Tech teams of the mid 1940s.
Went undefeated in regular season dual matches for four years at Georgia Tech.
Reached the NCAA Singles Semi-finals in 1945.
President of the Chattanooga Tennis Patrons Foundation and president of the Southern Tennis Association from 1961-62.
Member of six Halls of Fames.