We’d like to tip our visors this week to our founder, Skip Hartman.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame presented Skip with The Samuel Hardy Award at its 2015 Annual Awards Luncheon on April 12th in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the sport of tennis.
NYJTL Board Member, Mayor David Dinkins, led a heartfelt introduction to Skip Hartman upon which Skip accepted The Samuel Hardy Award.
The Award honors United States Tennis Association (USTA) volunteers who exemplify Mr. Hardy’s dedication. Recipients of the award “exemplify those qualities of personal unselfishness and devotion to the game that has been an inspiration to others.”
The Samuel Hardy Award was established in 1953 after the passing of Samuel Hardy, the former Editor of Spalding and the Wright & Ditson Official Tennis Guide, who worked extensively with the United States Lawn Tennis Association and served on a number of its committees.
Skip began his service to the game of tennis in 1969 when he persuaded the New York City Parks Department to transform public park tennis courts into usable indoor facilities for the winter season. His dedication led to what became the Stadium Tennis Center in the Bronx, a site first-of-its-kind which he managed until 1997.
In 1971, Skip co-founded the New York Junior Tennis League – what is now known as New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) – along with Hall of Famer Arthur Ashe.
“For the next 40 years, Skip tirelessly dedicated himself to the growth and success of junior tennis in New York,” the Hall of Fame noted. “By 2007, NYJTL became the largest nonprofit youth tennis and education program in the U.S.”
Additionally, Skip was chairman and CEO of Sports and Education in Schools Foundation, and was involved in the creation and development process of countless organizations including the USTA Schools Program, the National Tennis Teachers Conference, and Play Tennis America.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum was established in 1954, and is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis, inspiring and encouraging junior tennis development, enshrining tennis heroes and heroines, and providing a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
The Hall of Fame is recognized both nationally and internationally as the premier steward of the rich tradition of the sport of tennis.
Skip Hartman has touched so many lives thousands of young kids had the chance to play an elite sports for free. I am Jose Rodriguez and I was one of those kids who was afforded that opportunity and who will be forever grateful. Thank you Skip