Tallahassee’s Sue James Named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

President of the Tallahassee Tennis Association (TTA) for six years, Sue James since stepping down has, if anything, elevated her tennis activism and activity in the Tallahassee community.

Currently holding down the vice president position at the TTA, James is a 17-year combined volunteer for the TTA, other local tennis volunteering, and serving the USTA Florida Section in volunteer roles.

“I volunteer as tournament director for [the local] Sweetheart Tournament, help organize the Tallahassee Tennis Association’s tournament, and I also run the food cart for the Tallahassee Challenger,” she says. “All TTA activities proceeds benefit the City of Tallahassee tennis. I also volunteer with Junior Team Tennis, Sports Ability which is tennis for disabled persons, and at the annual Stomp out Diabetes and Springtime Tallahassee events using pop-up nets and foam balls to introduce all ages to tennis.”

She is a past member of the former USTA Florida Community Outreach Committee, which had a mission to develop and strengthen community tennis across the state and to support local community tennis organizations.

James annually volunteers as a USTA League captain, in 2014 advancing a team to USTA League Nationals for the first time on the strength of their team unity and stuffed monkey mascots.

“I have always been captain — our mojo is monkeys, and over the years we have developed quite a collection,” she said after her team claimed the USTA Florida League Sectionals championship in her division. “This group is not only a group of awesome people but great competitors. We like to travel and play competitive tennis, we have great team chemistry.”

While she loves to captain and compete, James says her first love when it comes to tennis is introducing children and adults to the life-time sport.

“I love that all ages and abilities can play,” she says. “Tennis is a life sport and a great form of exercise. It is so rewarding seeing how quickly players improve and I enjoy helping them reach their potential.”

USTA Florida congratulates and thanks Sue James as the October 2019 Volunteer of the Month for almost 20 years of volunteering to introduce Tallahassee players to the game of tennis.

ABOUT SUE

Birthplace: Buffalo, N.Y.
Family: Husband Larry, children Bryan and Sarah
Favorite Movie: Lady in the Water
Favorite Food: Hot chicken wings
Favorite Travel: Australia
Favorite Shot: volley

My earliest tennis memory was…”Being introduced to the sport in my 40s by my friend Mary Warner.”

If I could play tennis with three people, they would be…”Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Serena Williams.”

When I am not playing tennis I am…”Working, volunteering, and traveling.”

My best tennis memory is…”Making it to the USTA League 4.0 Women’s Nationals after eight years of trying.”