Danville’s Lise Frank — she of more than 30 years of selfless dedication to tennis — was recognized with the prestigious ITF Award for Service to the Game during the U.S. Open.
“The breadth and depth of Lise’s volunteer activity is remarkable and the impact has been felt not only in the U.S., but throughout the world,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.
Frank began her volunteer career in NorCal in ‘78, working on behalf of junior tennis. She also served as a tournament director before being named to the USTA Pro Circuit Committee in ‘89. She became vice chairman of the committee in ‘93 and its chairman in ‘95. Under Frank’s leadership, the profile and importance of the USTA Pro Circuits, the gateway to the U.S. Open and tour-level competition for aspiring pros, increased significantly.
Past recipients of the ITF Award for Service to the Game include Hunter Delatour, Robert Cookson, Bill Talbert, Tony Trabert, Jack Kramer, Charlie Pasarell, Billie Jean King, Dennis Van Der Meer, Vic Braden, Judy Levering, Robert Lansdorp and Zina Garrison.
