ORLANDO, Fl. – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently announced that the Coach Jim Verdieck Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Redlands received a 2023 USTA Outstanding Facility Award, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.
The Coach Jim Verdieck Tennis Center was one of three facilities at educational institutions and one of 29 total facilities to be recognized this year. Named in honor of Hall of Fame Coach Jim Verdieck, the new, multi-million-dollar facility replaces the University's original tennis courts, which were built back in the 1960's. The project consisted of constructing 12 post-tension tennis courts with lighting, two new scoreboards, accessible seating and shade structures, and streaming cameras. The picturesque setting of the tennis courts includes Redlands orange groves and views of the snow-capped San Bernardino Mountains as a backdrop. University of Redlands alumnus Mark Bogh generously gifted the construction plans for the new facility and led the construction efforts with his team Bogh Engineering. Mark and his wife, Bridget '90 have been deeply committed to the success of the University and they have made sure that generations to come have a first-class facility.
"Great tennis facilities like the Coach Jim Verdieck Tennis Center help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis," said Craig Morris, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. "The Coach Jim Verdieck Tennis Center has embraced many of our tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of its community each year."
Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities' participation in grassroots tennis programs.
On August 28, former Bulldog Director of Tennis Geoff Roche '96 and current Head Coach
Pete Yellico represented the University of Redlands at the USTA's Awards Ceremony, which was held on opening day of the U.S. Open in New York City.
Roche stated, "This award from the USTA is a tremendous honor and represents the teamwork, leadership, and collaboration of our alumni, friends, and supporters of Bulldog Tennis in recognition of the unparalleled coaching accomplishments of Coach Jim Verdieck. We are so grateful to honor the pride and tradition of Bulldog Tennis for many generations in the future."
"This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all of the Redlands alumni, supporters and senior leadership," Yellico explained. "This facility is a perfect way to honor the incredible legacy of Coach Verdieck. Our facility is not just a place for tennis; it's the home of former and future champions, and the love for this sport thrives. We are committed to providing an exceptional environment for our student-athletes and this award is a great reflection of that,"
Nominated facilities were voted on in the following categories:
Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-11 courts or large tennis centers with 12 or more courts
; Private Facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis (small: 2-11 courts; large: 12 or more courts); and
Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools. All 2023 award winners received a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
The 2023 USTA Outstanding Facility Award winners are:
Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 11 courts)
Doc Hosbach Tennis Complex (Henderson, Ky.)
Garber Courts (Saginaw, Mich.)
Lorenzi Park (Las Vegas)
Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (12 or more courts)
Calhoun Tennis Center (Calhoun, Ga.)
El Conquistador Tennis (Oro Valley, Ariz.)
GreatLIFE Cares Foundation Tennis Complex (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Lisa and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center* (San Francisco)
Phoenix Tennis Center (Phoenix)
Spencer Love Tennis Center (Greensboro, N.C.)
Warren County Tennis and Sports Facility (Bowling Green, Ky.)
*
named USTA Featured Facility of the Year
Small Private Facilities (2-11 courts)
Beavercreek Clay Courts Tennis Club (Dayton, Ohio)
Corpus Christi Country Club (Corpus Christi, Texas)
Laurel Springs Racquet Club (Suwanee, Ga.)
Life Time Des Moines (Urbandale, Iowa)
Life Time Galleria Tennis and Athletic (Houston)
Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
Red Ledges Club (Heber City, Utah)
Templeton Tennis Ranch (Templeton, Calif.)
Large Private Facilities (12 or more courts)
Athletic Club Alabama (Huntsville, Ala.)
Guilford Racquet & Swim Club (Guilford, Conn.)
Life Time Athletic and Tennis Peachtree Corners (Peachtree Corners, Ga.)
Life Time Tennis Plano (Plano, Texas)
North Hills Club (Raleigh, N.C.)
Stone Creek Club and Spa (Covington, La.)
The Club at Harper's Point (Cincinnati)
Weston Racquet Club (Weston, Fla.)
Educational Institutions
Byron Center Schools West Athletic Complex (Byron Center, Mich.)
Coach Jim Verdieck Tennis Center (Redlands, Calif.)
Conrad Weiser Tennis Facility (Robesonia, Pa.)
