The spotlight was turned recently at the Shade Hotel in Redondo Beach and illuminated brightly on those who have chosen to serve for the love of their sport and community at a special event honoring the 2023 USTA Southern California Service Award winners.

Tennis in Southern California is what it is because of the contributions of thousands of passionate individuals. But the few recognized award winners on this night – who are used to shining the light on others – were each introduced and presented an award they could take back to their hometowns and be proud of as they continue doing what they do best – which is to serve.

They weren’t just individuals, but groups like Serving Advantage, honored with the Adaptive Tennis Award. Co-founded by Jacob Eusebio and his two friends Natalie Rodriguez and Andy Loughran, and aided by the organization’s Parent Advisor and Jacob’s mother, Wendi Ota Eusebio, the youth-led nonprofit was created for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or differences (IDD), including autism and others. 

They host clinics, private lessons, camps, coach trainings, an annual Share the Love USTA Level 6 Charity Junior Tournament, and more. “Their mission is to make the world a more inclusive, safer, and happier place for kids of all abilities,” said presenter Gailor Large, Senior Director of Marketing for USTA Southern California.

Added Esther Hendershott, Director of Community Tennis & NJTLs: “Serving Advantage provides support to families like mine, giving us a glimmer of hope and a moment to exhale and smile. The personal interaction with their participants and the support they offer to parents facing the challenges of raising a child with special needs makes them unique. The small things they do go a long way in making a positive impact.” 

Youth leaders Jacob Eusebio, Ryan Le, and Lana Ikeda accepted the award.

Porfirio Cervantes was called up twice, first to receive his Area Service Award for the San Fernando Valley, and later along with PAC Tennis Academy partners Aaron Goodwein and Cameron Hines as the academy was named the Organization of the Year.

Jennie Young was the Kern County Service Award Winner and Chris Fouquet took home the Central Coast Service Award presented by good friend Nancy Abrams, USTA Southern California Director of Engagement & Industry Relations.

“It was a total surprise,” Templeton Tennis Ranch General Manager Fouquet said of his being honored as his wife, two boys and his boss, TTR owner Ralph Goehring looked on.

Goehring and Fouquet host the popular Central Coast Classic Women’s USTA Pro Circuit $60,000 each September bringing a top-level brand of WTA professional tennis to the area for the past seven years. TTR also hosts USTA Southern California Play Days and Junior Team Tennis Gar Glenney Cup.

The Youth Leadership Council winners were Halle Parker and Madeline Posner, who serve as co-presidents of the YLC, whose mission is to empower junior tennis players to take on leadership roles, using tennis as a vehicle to make a positive impact in local communities.

Led by patriarch Mitch Bridge, the Bridge family was named the Family of the Year. Bridge the Gap Tennis Management (BTG Tennis) operates the Billie Jean King Tennis Center and El Dorado Park Tennis Center in Long Beach, and the award was presented by Cathy Jacobson-Guzy, who has worked with Bridge for more than 35 years. She cited Bridge’s, “Unparalleled passion, enthusiasm, dedication, and knowledge of the sport of tennis” as truly remarkable.

Bridge and wife Kim are parents to former Division I college players Jordan (Cal Poly-SLO) and Cooper Bridge (UC-Riverside), who serves as the General Manager of BGT Tennis alongside his wife Lauren.

Other award winners included College Tennis Service Award: Nadia Abdala; Eugene Jung Multicultural Award: Doris Obih; and Junior Service Award: Regi Buenviaje.