Dylan Davis - USTA Northern Volunteer of the Year

 Dylan Davis is everywhere there is tennis.  He is on the Board of All Points Tennis (a local Community Tennis Association).  He captains several adult teams – both USTA and WTT.  He has also captained many Junior Team Tennis teams.  He has been Summer Junior Team Tennis Coordinator for several years.  He is Assistant Boys and Girls Tennis Coach at Bethlehem.  He is a Volunteer Assistant Coach for Union College.  He helps out every time the USTA has a Sectional event at Schenectady’s Central Park.  Dylan is also on the committee that reestablished the Capital District Pro League.  “I have just always loved tennis, and it’s been a huge part of who I am.  I first started volunteering by teaching tennis to my kid’s friends.  We’d go to the park, and I’d feed balls and play ten and under type games before ten and under was a structured USTA program.”  Dylan is also the USTA Eastern – Northern Region Volunteer of the Year.

“I first knew Dylan as a captain. As a captain, his first interest was to help people play & enjoy tennis.  Dylan is always willing to help.” (Sue Wold – former Northern Region President)

Being a volunteer can have its challenges.  “Covid was an unfortunate event that happened to all of us.  I put together the 2020 Summer JTT season when the pandemic hit and shut down most social activities.  Unfortunately, I had just ordered a lot of water bottles, Frisbees, and gym bags for the summer program.  Some we gave out to JTT teams, Adult leagues, and special events throughout the Capital Region- but I still have multiple boxes in my garage!!

Coordinating Summer JTT was always a challenge, specifically putting together the league schedules.  It’s hard to develop a schedule, reserve courts, pick time slots, and publish the schedule on TennisLink without having your final team list and rosters confirmed.  Publishing a schedule based on word of mouth was always a risk but a necessary and exciting part of the summer JTT process.  I’m genuinely grateful for those that have helped me promote and organize tennis in the Capital Region throughout the years!  The number of parents that are willing to help out when asked and the number of parents that aren’t willing to help out when asked.”

Kathleen Kalmer summed it up nicely.

I’ve known the Davis family since our sons began playing tennis for Bethlehem in middle school.  It was evident how committed this family was to the sport from the start.  They all played tennis- and played very well at that!  Lucky for our high school teams, Dylan provided his doubles strategy skills when coaching the JV girls team.   Dylan also coordinated the summer JTT leagues: a formidable challenge!  He always showed up at the Central Park tennis courts on weekends to ensure the matches went on smoothly.  His enthusiasm for the sport of tennis was/is contagious.  We are grateful for the time and talent he has generously given to young tennis players and adult tennis players! “

 

Dylan has been a leader for tennis in Northern as a JTT Coordinator and a USTA adult league captain, recruiting younger generations to continue their tennis journey through the Adult league program.   We are grateful for volunteers and tennis ambassadors like Dylan Davis! – USTA Eastern Section