Donald Lawson Tisdel
June 27, 1934 - September 9, 2017
Don Tisdel believed that tennis provides opportunity in life. A top player in college, the US Air Force, and for 65 years in the Pacific Northwest and nationally, he possessed a passion for the game and cared deeply about giving back to strengthen his beloved sport. From 2004-2016, Don played an instrumental role in the administration and financing of the USTA as a member of the Board and Executive Committee. Among his many contributions, he helped secure critical financing for the expansion of both the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York and the USTA National Campus, the Home of American Tennis in Orlando, Florida. In December of 2016, Don was named Person of the Year by Tennis Industry Magazine.
A graduate of the University of Utah and the Harvard Business School, Don also viewed education as a critical pathway. In life, he remained grateful for the opportunities he received through tennis and education. In death, this legacy will live on.
The USTA Foundation has named its largest college scholarship fund The Donald Lawson Tisdel College Scholarship Fund. These scholarships will be awarded annually to 20-25 high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated community service and participated in an organized tennis program such as National Junior Tennis and Learning. A $10,000 scholarship will be provided over four years to students entering a two- or four-year college or university to cover costs of tuition, room and board and educational materials.
Your contributions will help:
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Increase number of scholarship recipients
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Increase size of scholarship gifts
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Honor recipients at a special recognition event during the US Open