SVSU Assistant Tennis Coach Mike Woody Named to the USPTA Midwest Division Hall of Fame
Courtesy of the Midland Community Tennis Center
MIDLAND, Mich. - Mike Woody, executive director of the Midland Community Tennis Center, has been selected to the USPTA Midwest Division Hall of Fame's 2012 class.
He is joined by three other long-time tennis professionals whose contributions also were recognized by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
Induction ceremonies will include Jorge Capestany, Greg Aten and Will Cleland. The event will be held Thursday, August 16 on center court at the Western & Southern Open, Mason, Ohio.
There are 35 members in the Hall of Fame, established in 1993. Glen William, former director of the MCTC, was inducted in 2003.Members are recognized for 25 years of service, and for significant contributions to the tennis industry.
"While this is a personal honor, it's important note that the USPTA offers over 60 educational and development services for teachers to help them become complete professionals. Personally, it's great to represent a "Hall of Fame Community" like Midland and an organization for our profession that plays to win."
In his USPTA agenda, Woody has been named USPTA National Facility Manager of the Year; USPTA Midwest Professional of the Year; USPTA Midwest Facility Manager of the Year two years running, and has contributed to the Midwest USPTA aims through speaking engagements across the country.
He is a TIA (Tennis Industry Association) National Cardio Tennis Trainer; TIA Advocate of the Year, and USTA National Master Trainer.
Woody played the key leadership role that resulted in Midland being selected the USTA's inaugural Best Tennis Town in the U.S.
In addition to a wide variety of USTA awards, Woody is credited with the growth of the MCTC over the last decade to the largest tennis center in the Midwest, with 40 hard and clay courts; 21 tennis professionals, and about 3,000 members.
He led the effort to establish the new Paul Oreffice Outdoor Tennis Complex, recognizing the founder of the MCTC, working with local foundations, community leaders and MCTC's "Friends of Tennis.
On his watch, the MCTC's competitive juniors have won 17 national junior titles and four state high school championships, featuring players who train at the nationally-recognized MCTC Tennis Academy. Additionally, the MCTC's USTA Senior Women's 3.5 placed third in the nationals with coaching by Tennis Center staff.
Woody has developed the Dow Corning Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit Event into one of only two $100,000 events on the 90-city USTA/ITF Tour for professional tennis. The Dow Corning Tennis Classic, the longest-running tournament on the schedule, and Michigan's only major pro tennis, celebrates its 25th "Silver Anniversary" February 3-10, 2013
