Daytona Beach Shores’ Dixon Brings Tennis to Baseball as Florida Volunteer of the Month

When they rolled-out the USTA 10 and Under Tennis mini-nets onto the outfield grass of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla., last August, as they have a number of times this year, tennis volunteer Steve Dixon of Daytona Beach Shores was the first out on the field.

“It sounded like a lot of fun,” said Dixon on hearing of the volunteer opportunity to mix minor league baseball at the Daytona Tortugas games with the USTA’s 10 and Under Tennis format, featuring kid-sized equipment and courts. “We have done a couple of events. I have worked with [USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator] Molly Zimmer in the past, so when she asked me to participate I jumped at the opportunity.”

Director of tennis at Oceans Racquet Club, located down the beach from the minor league stadium, is where Dixon also lends his time and facility to assist USTA Florida in shooting GoPro Tennis Tips to be found on YouTube and various social media channels.

“Steve has given his time and facility to us as we have filmed USTA Florida GoPro Tips,” says USTA Florida Event and Sponsorship Coordinator Alex Gold. “He is reliable, helpful, and has proven himself to be a valuable partner in the Daytona Beach area.”

A volunteer “for all kinds of sports as my children have grown,” Dixon was a volunteer high school tennis coach when his daughter was in school. “It was great spending time with her and getting to know all the girls on the team,” he said. “We won districts but lost in the regional finals.”

Tennis at the Daytona Tortugas minor league baseball game

USTA Florida thanks and congratulates Steve Dixon as the November 2015 USTA Florida Volunteer of the Month for giving back to children in the Daytona Beaches area, and attracting new kids age 10 and under to the “sport of a lifetime.”

“Volunteering allows me to connect with other tennis players that I do not see on a day-to-day basis at my own club,” he says. “Being a tennis pro, I like giving back to the sport that has been so good to me.”

ABOUT STEVE

Birthplace: Melbourne, Fla.
Family: Daughter Ali, son Sam
Favorite Movie: Tin Cup
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Travel: “Anywhere I can snow ski.”
Favorite Shot: Volley

My earliest tennis memory was…”playing tennis with my father.”

If I could play tennis with three people, they would be…”John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.”

When I am not playing tennis I am…”spending time with my fiance and children.”

My best tennis memory is…”coaching my daughter’s high school team.”