[ad_1]
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA. – APRIL 4, 2022 -The Southern Tennis Affiliation mourns the passing of John Callen, 69, beloved USTA Southern Government Director & COO for 33 years. After he battled most cancers for greater than a 12 months, Callen handed away peacefully on April 3 along with his spouse, Frances, and their daughters by his facet at his house in Johns Creek, Ga.
Over the span of greater than a half century, Callen’s contributions to Southern tennis ran the gamut of the tennis world. He was a participant, coach, volunteer and, finally, a number one tennis govt.
USTA Southern President & CEO, Randy Jackson stated, “John Callen was a driving power behind the success of the Southern Tennis Affiliation for the previous 33 years, but he usually credited volunteers and employees for accomplishments. Not solely was John an awesome chief, however he was additionally a instructor, position mannequin, buddy and mentor to tennis leaders and supporters all over the place. His affect extends a lot additional than the Southern Part. His recommendation was sought by volunteers, employees and leaders all through the nation – from group tennis associations in small cities to USTA management on the highest stage.
“John was an instance of a servant chief. He was partaking in a quiet, unassuming method which shortly gained one’s confidence and belief. His ardour for tennis and rising the game was contagious. He beloved his tennis household, which was massive, numerous and inclusive – in the event you beloved the sport, you have been a part of the household! We’ll sorely miss John, however his legacy will stay on by all who work towards rising this nice recreation of tennis.”
USTA Chairman of the Board and President Mike McNulty added his feedback. “John led the Southern Part for 33 years and was the face of tennis within the South. I had the unbelievable alternative to serve with John as one in every of his many ‘Callen presidents.’ It was an honor and a privilege to serve with my buddy, a soft-spoken chief who was beloved by all. He was a particular particular person with an inimitable character, contagious enthusiasm, disarming humility and smiling wit. All of us within the sport of tennis who’ve been related to John have misplaced a real buddy and tennis has misplaced one in every of its most passionate proponents.” USTA Southern Delegate and former President & CEO Bonnie Vandegrift remembered Callen warmly. She stated, “John grew to become your buddy the moment you met him. I’ll sorely miss his friendship and the kindness, help, and encouragement he has proven to me and so most of the tennis volunteers throughout the Southern Part. We’re all actually higher for having John Callen in our lives.” Former USTA Southern President & CEO Randy Stephens talked about his shut friendship with Callen. “I used to be blessed that John took me below his wing as a tennis doubles companion and as a mentor whereas we have been in our twenties. He modified my life for the higher in so some ways, however John did this for thus many individuals – buddies, tennis college students, volunteers, USTA employees members and others. John did a lot for thus many, in a quiet method, by no means wanting something in return. We’re all higher folks due to John’ affect in our lives.” Former USTA CEO and USTA Southern President & CEO Gordon Smith remarked, “God bless John Callen for what he meant to tennis and his household. He led the life he was meant to steer, and we’re all the higher for it.” Matt Olson, who succeeded Callen as USTA Southern Government Director & COO in February, stated, “John was a boss, mentor, eventual counterpart and buddy. His influence on tennis, the Southern Part and my life will likely be felt for a very long time.”
“This can be a profound loss for thus many people professionally, however personally it’s arduous to even put into phrases,” stated USTA North Carolina Government Director Kelly Gaines. “What an unbelievable mentor, buddy and somebody who shared a ardour for a sport that has introduced a lot to so many. John Callen will likely be held up for years to come back as a task mannequin and expensive buddy.”
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go to Frances, his three daughters – Ashley, Melanie and Courtney – and his total household.
In 2021, the Southern Tennis Basis established the John Callen Scholarship to fund annual scholarships for Southern school college students. Anybody wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund, please go to the Southern Tennis Basis web site.
Here’s a temporary remembrance of John Callen, a tennis icon.
Callen grew up in Birmingham, Ala., the place he was pupil physique president, athletic membership president, a member of the Nationwide Honor Society and a varsity tennis participant who went undefeated in highschool twin matches.
He went on to play on the collegiate stage at Georgia Tech from 1970-74, the place he served as co-captain and performed No. 1 to No. 4 singles and No. 1 to No. 2 doubles over his four-year profession. In 1974, he started a 15-year tennis professional profession as Head Tennis Skilled at Massive Canoe (Ga.), Director of Tennis on the Indian Hills Nation Membership and Athletic Director at Customary Membership. Callen continued to hone his abilities as a participant, successful quite a few Southern tennis titles and reaching the No. 1 rating within the part for a number of years throughout many age teams. In 1989, he was named USTA Southern Government Director and later additionally served as its Chief Working Officer. In June 2021, he introduced his retirement and labored into March 2022. At the moment, he was the longest serving USTA part govt director.
Callen has been devoted to volunteerism within the Southern Part. He was a founding father of the Georgia Tennis Corridor of Fame, founding member of the Georgia Tennis Patrons Basis and founding member of Atlanta Garden Tennis Affiliation (ALTA) Basis. He served as Georgia Tennis Affiliation President from 1982-83. He was additionally elected to ALTA’s Board of Trustees and the Board of Administrators of the Georgia Skilled Tennis Affiliation. Callen coached successful Georgia Junior Davis Cup groups. He served as USTA Southern Vice President together with being a member of quite a few USTA committees.
Callen was a member of 4 Halls of Fame: the Southern Tennis Corridor of Fame (inducted in 2013), the Alabama Tennis Basis Corridor of Fame (2000), the Georgia Tennis Basis Corridor of Fame (2004) and the Georgia Skilled Tennis Affiliation Corridor of Fame. He was additionally an honorary member of the Georgia Skilled Tennis Affiliation.
Since his hiring to steer USTA Southern, the part’s membership rose to a excessive of greater than 187,000, representing 25 % of the nationwide membership. Throughout that point, the part has been on the forefront of rising grassroots tennis, together with fostering USTA League growth, Junior Workforce Tennis formation and progress, and internet hosting an array of junior and grownup tournaments within the part’s 9 states. The part has a strong grownup program, together with the biggest Combo and Combined Doubles leagues within the nation. As Southern Tennis Basis Government Director, Callen oversaw the giving of roughly $5 million, notably to NJTL packages, junior event gamers and school college students.
[ad_2]
Source link
