LAKE NONA, Fla. –The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) is proud to present the 2022 USPTA Bob Ryland Diversity Award to Brian Dean of Tipp City, OH (Midwest Division).

The USPTA Bob Ryland Diversity Award recognizes certified professionals that demonstrated an outstanding ability to use tennis to unite diverse populations within their community. This award was renamed after Bob Ryland, a 60-plus year member, who was inducted into our USPTA Hall of Fame in 2020.

As a coach, one has the responsibility to include people from any background. Brian has done exactly that by ensuring wheelchair players in his community can feel the joy we all feel when playing tennis. Brian had “the vision to do, and the heart to share.” Brian’s coached several wheelchair tennis events and camps, including one in Columbus with 20 wheelchair players and one at Holland, Michigan with 25 junior tennis players. In 2021, Brian introduced the A.H. Sports/Hunter Heck/Lynn Bender Junior Wheelchair Tennis Grant- named in part honoring fellow USPTA member Lynn Bender. Brian organized a fundraiser for the grant that raised close to $15,000.  The grant gives out $1,000 awards to a junior wheelchair tennis player. Four of those grants were handed out last year. The group also awarded one new sports chair, valued at $4,000. Through Brian’s efforts, many players are finding new ways to enjoy tennis.

About the USPTA: Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than 14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the Association’s mission is to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and to promote a greater awareness of the sport.

Media Contacts:

Marisa Lampe
Director of Marketing and Communications
marisa.lampe@uspta.org
407-634-3071 ext. 142