Orange County’s Tina McCall-Waters named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

Tina McCall-Waters, USTA Florida’s Volunteer of the Month for September, has spent the last 20 years making an enduring impact on the Eatonville community through tennis. 

As a volunteer, she has dedicated her time and energy to teaching children the sport, helping them build skills that extend far beyond the court. Her efforts have touched the lives of hundreds of kids. 

This past summer, Tina made a significant contribution by coaching around 200 kids through the Denton Johnson Tennis Program. This program is a collaboration of three key organizations within Eatonville: The Boys & Girls Club of Eatonville, LaShunda Tots, and EsteemLearning. Tina’s leadership and dedication have helped these children develop their tennis abilities and, more importantly, their confidence and sense of community. 

Tina’s love for tennis started early and at the age of 10, she won her first junior tournament at the Orlando Tennis Center, which really helped shaped her future in the sport. Since then, she has gone on to have a remarkable career. She was the first Black female to receive an athletic scholarship at Indiana University and was one of the pioneers that built Indiana Women’s Tennis into an amazing program. She was a two-time First-Team All-American and a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten and led the team to three Big Ten Championships. She was inducted into Indiana University’s Hall of Fame for tennis in 2023. 

Tina’s accomplishments extend far off the courts. She recently published her first book, Give Back and Laugh Out Loud, which reflects her personal philosophy of giving back and finding joy in the process. When she’s not on the court, she can be found coaching Special Olympics at Magnolia School, another example of her unwavering commitment to service. 

Reflecting on her more than 20 years of volunteering, Tina loves to put smiles on other people’s faces. “I love giving back and I’m able to help someone else learn the game of tennis and have the window of opportunities open for them,” she said. 

Tina’s story is one of service, passion, and giving back. Through tennis, she has opened doors for many young athletes in Eatonville, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. 

USTA Florida congratulates Tina McCall-Waters and thanks her for spending countless hours helping children learn the game of tennis. Eatonville is lucky to have her and Tina has deserved the honor of USTA Florida September Volunteer of the month. 

Interested in volunteering in tennis? Visit ustaflorida.com/volunteers to learn more about available opportunities.