PURPOSE: The USTA Southwest Section honors Jim Reffkin’s spirit by naming this award for his innovative nature and by rewarding an individual who has pushed the limits of innovation like he did to help grow and expand the sport’s reach. This person forsakes the tried and true, and consistently attempts to reach new audiences with their methods.
AWARDS CRITERIA: This award attempts to honor a USTA member who might sometimes go against the grain to try newer, different things for the sport’s ultimate good, finds new partners to work with, or solves problems in a way that the organization finds helps create, deliver or captures new value.
This award seeks to find those that try newer, different things that garner attention and acclaim for their area and help grows participation as well as change mindset and culture. There is no one-size-fits-all description of this person’s efforts.
This award should be given to those who have attempted to do more than just reach out grow, develop, teach or communicate about this sport through conventional methods. This award does not have to be chosen annually - as candidates need to be exceptional.