Bonnie Vandegrift honored with 2025 Barbara Williams Service Award

Bonnie Vandegrift of Asheville, N.C., was honored with the Barbara Williams Service Award at the 2025 USTA Annual Meeting & Conference held in Carlsbad, Calif.

Established in 2003, the award honors the late Barbara Williams, a longtime USTA volunteer who unselfishly gave her time and energy to promote the sport of tennis. It recognizes a female volunteer who, through her leadership and by her example, has encouraged and inspired others to become volunteers and assume leadership roles at the community, section, and/or national levels of the USTA.

She also served as chair of the Southern League program for several years. She was one of the early supporters of USTA League tennis and has gone on to be recognized nationally as an expert in leagues. She served on the USTA League committee for 12 years, four as vice chair and four as chair, and also chaired the USTA Adult Council and was a member of the Advisory Group on Committees. 

While serving as Southern president, she was also a member of the Section Presidents Committee. Vandegrift is currently the USTA Section Delegate representing USTA Southern, and as such, represents Southern in all voting matters before the USTA. She also remains active in the local CTA in Asheville, and mentors future leaders.

“Bonnie is one of the most committed and effective volunteers in the USTA ecosystem,” said Brian Vahaly, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “For more than 30 years, she’s been instrumental in growing the game in North Carolina—especially through USTA League Tennis—and her work continues to make a meaningful impact as we push toward 35 million players nationwide. This recognition is well-deserved.”