2026 USTA Georgia Awards Press Release
MARIETTA, GA – USTA Georgia today announced the recipients for the organization’s 2026 awards, which recognize outstanding achievements statewide in tennis both on and off the court. Twenty-three (23) awards comprise the full list of honors, and the award winners will be officially recognized at the USTA Georgia Community Tennis Development Workshop in February.
This annual awards ceremony seeks to distinguish outstanding individuals in discipline categories. Winners are nominated by their peers, with the USTA Georgia Awards Committee having the final authority on awards selections.
Of special note, Ryan Cozad will be recognized with two awards, the Al Parker Award for Junior Player of the Year and the Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship.
The Ruth Ryner Lay Award for Lifetime Achievement, Presidents Award and the John Callen “Excellence in Leadership” Award will be announced in due course.
The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Saturday February 6th at the JW Marriott Buckhead. Below is the list of the 2026 winners:
• Adaptive Tennis Award – Macon Area Tennis Association’s “Net Therapy”
• Adult Tournament of the Year – James Moss Memorial Scholarship Tournament (Warner Robins)
• Al Parker Award for Junior Player of the Year – Ryan Cozad (Alpharetta)
• Charles H. Cox, Jr. Award for Adult Player of the Year – Adam Rogers (Rockmart)
• Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year – Coosa Valley TA (Rome)
• Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship of the Year – Ryan Cozad (Alpharetta)
• First Horizon Tennis Professional of the Year – Caleb McCurry (RTC at Berry College)
• James Kincaid Family Award for Family of the Year – The Sales Family (Atlanta)
• Jerry Baskin Scholar Athlete of the Year – Alexis Pattenaude (The Walker School)
• Junior Tournament of the Year – L5 MATA Junior Winter Open (Macon)
• Local League Coordinator of the Year – Leesa Cleaveland (CHATA)
• Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year – Aaron Harris (Lawrenceville)
• Member Organization of the Year – Athletes Youth Success Initiative (AYSI, Atlanta)
• NJTL Chapter of the Year – Above the Net (McDonough)
• Outstanding Parks & Recreation Department – Athens-Clarke County Tennis Center
• Randy Stephens Award for State Volunteer Service – Debbie Currie (Special Pops Tennis)
• Richard C. Botsch Educational Merit Award – Jason Russo (Riverwood International HS)
• Signature Tennis Courts Award for Tennis Director of the Year – Jane Hunter (Buford City P&R)
• Special Tennis Event of the Year – Ned Neely NJTL Leadership Camp (Georgia Tennis Foundation)
• USTA Junior Team Tennis Captain of the Year – Courtney Brody (Johns Creek)
• Shoan Finch USTA League Female Captain of the Year – Cindy Hicks (Fayetteville)
• USTA League Male Captain of the Year – Alex Miller (Brookhaven)
• Wheelchair Excellence Award – USTA Atlanta Wheelchair Classic
