Boca Raton’s Levine Named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

Captaining out of Frank Veltri and Lauderdale Tennis Club is February’s Volunteer of the Month, Loren Levine! The level of dedication she displays for the sport after only having been a USTA Florida League Captain for 2 years speaks for itself. In 2019, Levine lead her first ever team, but unfortunately lost in the semi-finals of the 7.0 division. It mattered little however, because that was all it took for her to become absolutely hooked.

“We worked hard all year” she reflects, “playing in both Broward and Palm Beach county leagues and [we were] proud to go back to sectionals to represent Palm Beach in the 40+ mixed doubles.” Going on to co-captain 40-and-over 4.0 and 7.5 Combo day and night leagues, 18-and-over 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 in Broward county, Levine certainly developed a taste for the court. So much so, that in the same year she also signed on as a player on the 8.0 national team, the 6.5 Florida sectional winning team, the Broward 7.5 sectional team, the Broward 7.5 sectional team, and the Broward 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 tri-level team.

If that seems like a mouthful, the expression certainly fits: tennis is always on the mind of Loren Levine. When she’s not playing tennis, Levine affirms she’s “thinking about my next lineup, or networking of the next season.” But then again, tennis runs a little deeper in Levine’s heart with all credit due to her father.

When USTA Florida asked her if she could play tennis with three people, they would be… Levine responded, “Just one – it would  be my dad – he got me playing tennis after a 16 year hiatus when he was diagnosed with ALS and knew he could no longer play.”

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The earliest signs of ALS usually include muscle weakness or stiffness and it typically affects all muscles under voluntary control. Those affected may ultimately lose their ability to perform basic actions like eating or speaking.

As Levine’s father’s condition progressed, he lost the ability to play tennis altogether. When she won her first club championship she says, “He was there – with his aide – and I gave him my trophy.

My dad promised if I started to play tennis again, he would stay alive to be there when I won my first club championship.”

USTA Florida applauds the hard work Loren Levine has done to promote the love of the sport in league tennis. As one of our #VolunteerAces, we thank her for her dedication to Florida tennis!

ABOUT LOREN

Birthplace: New York
Family: Rebecca, Catherine, Alec, Brian, and Jack ( yes, 5 kids and none play ):
Favorite Movie: 50 First Dates
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Travel Spot: Anywhere there is a nice beach.
Favorite Shot: Forehand Poach

My earliest tennis memory was… “Watching my dad compete.”

If I could play tennis with three people, they would be… “Just one – it would  be my dad – he got me playing tennis after a 16 year hiatus when he was diagnosed with ALS and knew he could no longer play.”

When I am not playing tennis I am… “Thinking about my next lineup, or networking for the next season.  lol.  I know – it’s sad!”

My best tennis memory is… “My dad promised if I started to play tennis again, he would stay alive to be there when I won my first club championship.  He was there – with his aide – and I gave him my trophy.”

I like to volunteer in tennis because… “Through tennis, I have met and bonded with people I never would have ever met. I want to do this for others.”

Interested in volunteering in tennis? Visit www.USTAFlorida.com/Volunteers to learn more about available opportunities.