Tulsa’s Michael D. Case Tennis Center Earns 2025 USTA Outstanding Facility Award
8/26/2025 10:43:00 AM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
ORLANDO, Fla. – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that The University of Tulsa's Michael D. Case Tennis Center is one of 44 winners in the USTA's annual Outstanding Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.
"This place began as a world-class facility when it first opened in 2001," said Director of Tennis and Men's Head Coach Vince Westbrook. "With the upgrades we've added to the scoreboards, lighting, surfaces, and sound system over the last five years, it remains a world-class facility to this day. We're grateful to the USTA, Mike Case, The University of Tulsa, the City of Tulsa, to all who have supported the Michael D. Case Tennis Center, and to everyone who's enjoyed the game we love in the facility we love."
Along with financial support, grant recipients receive start-to-finish project management assistance from the USTA's Tennis Venue Services team. This includes industry-leading expertise in tennis court and facility design, construction document review, and business development insight to ensure long-term sustainability and high-quality playing experiences.
"We're extremely grateful to the USTA," said Women's Head Coach Dean Orford. "We're thankful to Michael D. Case and the administration at The University of Tulsa for putting a world-class facility in the middle of the country on our campus. This facility has given us a spot on the world stage, and we couldn't be more grateful for it."
The University of Tulsa officially dedicated the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on Friday, December 14, 2001. The state-of-the-art tennis facility was quickly ushered into service during its first season of collegiate tennis as it served as the host site for the 2002 Western Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Tennis Championships and the 2002 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships First/Second Round Regionals.
In 2003, the Michael D. Case Tennis Center gained elite status as the facility was named the nation's Most Outstanding Collegiate Tennis Center by the USTA.
One year later, the Case Tennis Center hosted the country's top teams and individuals when it served as the host site for the 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships. The facility also served as host for the 2008 and 2016 NCAA Men's and Women's Division I Championships.
Mike Case, developer and philanthropist, was the driving force behind the project. The facility gave TU a competitive edge in the recruitment of student athletes.
Following the dedication of the facility, John McEnroe, internationally known tennis superstar, played the inaugural tennis match against members of TU's men's and women's tennis teams.
The Michael D. Case Tennis Center was designed by Larry Kester of Architects Collective and built by Lowry and Hemphill Construction Company, Inc.
"Outstanding tennis facilities like the Michael D. Case Tennis Center help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis," said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Section Partnerships, USTA. "The great work of the Michael D. Case Tennis Center continues to support our shared mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere."
All 44 Outstanding Facility Award recipients were honored at a reception held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York as part of the 2025 US Open. Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities' participation in grassroots tennis programs.
Nominated facilities were voted on in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-11 courts or large tennis centers with 12 or more courts; Private Facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis (small: 2-11 courts; large: 12 or more courts); and Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools. A new category, Innovation, was added this year to recognize facilities that have been particularly innovative when it comes to delivering tennis. All 2025 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
The 2025 USTA Outstanding Facility Award winners are:
Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 11 courts)
Gulph Mills JKST (King of Prussia, Pa.)
Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center (Slidell, La.)
Ida Lee Park Tennis Center (Leesburg, Va.)
John & Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center (Eau Claire, Wis.)
Kohler Sports Core (Kohler, Wis.)
Northampton Tennis & Fitness Club (Richboro, Pa.)
Tonaquint Tennis Center (St. George, Utah)
Valley Athletic Club (Olympia, Wash.)
Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (12 or more courts)
Balboa Tennis Club (San Diego)
City of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis and Pickleball Center (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Rome Tennis Center at Berry College (Rome, Ga.)
Sportime Randall's Island (New York)
Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Center (Steamboat Springs, Colo.)
Yarbrough Tennis Center (Auburn, Ala.)
Small Private Facilities (2-11 courts)
Central PA Tennis Center (Williamsport, Pa.)
Compass Pointe Tennis Club (Leland, N.C.)
East Brunswick Racquet Club (East Brunswick, N.J.)
Ellington Racquet Club (Ellington, Conn.)
Grand Rapids Racquet + Fitness (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Greensburg Racquet Club (Greensburg, Pa.)
Hendersonville Racquet Club (Hendersonville, N.C.)
Hobe Sound Tennis Center (Hobe Sound, Fla.)
Legacy Racquet and Fitness Club (Mountain Home, Ark.)
Palmira Tennis Club (Bonita Springs, Fla.)
PEAK Racquet Club (Missoula, Mont.)
Pelican Bay Foundation (Naples, Fla.)
River Trails Tennis Center (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
South Towns Tennis & Pickleball (Orchard Park, N.Y.)
Wisconsin Athletic Club-Lake Country (Hartland, Wis.)
Large Private Facilities (12 or more courts)
Brookhaven Country Club (Farmers Branch, Texas)
Evergreen Racquet Club (Bloomington, Ill.)
Michael D. Case Tennis Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
Overland Park Racquet Club (Overland Park, Kan.)
Sportime Port Washington (Port Washington, N.Y.)
The Club at Quail Ridge (Boynton Beach, Fla.)
Wheaton Sport Center (Wheaton, Ill.)
Educational Institutions
Albuquerque Academy Racquet Center (Albuquerque, N.M.)
City of Laredo Tennis Complex at Texas A&M International University (Laredo, Texas)
Dillingham Tennis Complex (Honolulu)
Ed Yarbrough Tennis Complex (Jasper, Ind.)
Noblesville Millers Tennis Complex (Noblesville, Ind.)
Princeton University (Princeton, N.J.)*
Innovative
Court 16 Downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Court 16 Philadelphia (Philadelphia)
* Denotes 2025 Featured Facility of the Year
About the USTA: The United States Tennis Association is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the men's and women's tennis programs.
"This place began as a world-class facility when it first opened in 2001," said Director of Tennis and Men's Head Coach Vince Westbrook. "With the upgrades we've added to the scoreboards, lighting, surfaces, and sound system over the last five years, it remains a world-class facility to this day. We're grateful to the USTA, Mike Case, The University of Tulsa, the City of Tulsa, to all who have supported the Michael D. Case Tennis Center, and to everyone who's enjoyed the game we love in the facility we love."
Along with financial support, grant recipients receive start-to-finish project management assistance from the USTA's Tennis Venue Services team. This includes industry-leading expertise in tennis court and facility design, construction document review, and business development insight to ensure long-term sustainability and high-quality playing experiences.
"We're extremely grateful to the USTA," said Women's Head Coach Dean Orford. "We're thankful to Michael D. Case and the administration at The University of Tulsa for putting a world-class facility in the middle of the country on our campus. This facility has given us a spot on the world stage, and we couldn't be more grateful for it."
The University of Tulsa officially dedicated the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on Friday, December 14, 2001. The state-of-the-art tennis facility was quickly ushered into service during its first season of collegiate tennis as it served as the host site for the 2002 Western Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Tennis Championships and the 2002 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships First/Second Round Regionals.
In 2003, the Michael D. Case Tennis Center gained elite status as the facility was named the nation's Most Outstanding Collegiate Tennis Center by the USTA.
One year later, the Case Tennis Center hosted the country's top teams and individuals when it served as the host site for the 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships. The facility also served as host for the 2008 and 2016 NCAA Men's and Women's Division I Championships.
Mike Case, developer and philanthropist, was the driving force behind the project. The facility gave TU a competitive edge in the recruitment of student athletes.
Following the dedication of the facility, John McEnroe, internationally known tennis superstar, played the inaugural tennis match against members of TU's men's and women's tennis teams.
The Michael D. Case Tennis Center was designed by Larry Kester of Architects Collective and built by Lowry and Hemphill Construction Company, Inc.
"Outstanding tennis facilities like the Michael D. Case Tennis Center help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis," said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Section Partnerships, USTA. "The great work of the Michael D. Case Tennis Center continues to support our shared mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere."
All 44 Outstanding Facility Award recipients were honored at a reception held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York as part of the 2025 US Open. Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities' participation in grassroots tennis programs.
Nominated facilities were voted on in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-11 courts or large tennis centers with 12 or more courts; Private Facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis (small: 2-11 courts; large: 12 or more courts); and Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools. A new category, Innovation, was added this year to recognize facilities that have been particularly innovative when it comes to delivering tennis. All 2025 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
The 2025 USTA Outstanding Facility Award winners are:
Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 11 courts)
Gulph Mills JKST (King of Prussia, Pa.)
Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center (Slidell, La.)
Ida Lee Park Tennis Center (Leesburg, Va.)
John & Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center (Eau Claire, Wis.)
Kohler Sports Core (Kohler, Wis.)
Northampton Tennis & Fitness Club (Richboro, Pa.)
Tonaquint Tennis Center (St. George, Utah)
Valley Athletic Club (Olympia, Wash.)
Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (12 or more courts)
Balboa Tennis Club (San Diego)
City of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis and Pickleball Center (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Rome Tennis Center at Berry College (Rome, Ga.)
Sportime Randall's Island (New York)
Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Center (Steamboat Springs, Colo.)
Yarbrough Tennis Center (Auburn, Ala.)
Small Private Facilities (2-11 courts)
Central PA Tennis Center (Williamsport, Pa.)
Compass Pointe Tennis Club (Leland, N.C.)
East Brunswick Racquet Club (East Brunswick, N.J.)
Ellington Racquet Club (Ellington, Conn.)
Grand Rapids Racquet + Fitness (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Greensburg Racquet Club (Greensburg, Pa.)
Hendersonville Racquet Club (Hendersonville, N.C.)
Hobe Sound Tennis Center (Hobe Sound, Fla.)
Legacy Racquet and Fitness Club (Mountain Home, Ark.)
Palmira Tennis Club (Bonita Springs, Fla.)
PEAK Racquet Club (Missoula, Mont.)
Pelican Bay Foundation (Naples, Fla.)
River Trails Tennis Center (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
South Towns Tennis & Pickleball (Orchard Park, N.Y.)
Wisconsin Athletic Club-Lake Country (Hartland, Wis.)
Large Private Facilities (12 or more courts)
Brookhaven Country Club (Farmers Branch, Texas)
Evergreen Racquet Club (Bloomington, Ill.)
Michael D. Case Tennis Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
Overland Park Racquet Club (Overland Park, Kan.)
Sportime Port Washington (Port Washington, N.Y.)
The Club at Quail Ridge (Boynton Beach, Fla.)
Wheaton Sport Center (Wheaton, Ill.)
Educational Institutions
Albuquerque Academy Racquet Center (Albuquerque, N.M.)
City of Laredo Tennis Complex at Texas A&M International University (Laredo, Texas)
Dillingham Tennis Complex (Honolulu)
Ed Yarbrough Tennis Complex (Jasper, Ind.)
Noblesville Millers Tennis Complex (Noblesville, Ind.)
Princeton University (Princeton, N.J.)*
Innovative
Court 16 Downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Court 16 Philadelphia (Philadelphia)
* Denotes 2025 Featured Facility of the Year
About the USTA: The United States Tennis Association is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the men's and women's tennis programs.
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