One of the most decorated and highly regarded professionals in the Southern California tennis community, Cathy Jacobson-Guzy embodies the qualities that companies strive to find in an employee, while also being the colleague that everyone dreams to have. 

Although Cathy’s full-time role with USTA Southern California is relatively new, her experience in tennis spans a lifetime and extends well beyond the SoCal section. From the moment she joined, Cathy seamlessly integrated into the team, contributing her extensive knowledge and unwavering passion for the sport, while helping to propel the organization’s mission of growing tennis at every level.

Her list of accolades and recognitions is staggering, a testament to her lifelong dedication to tennis. Known for her wit, charisma, and can-do attitude, Cathy is as beloved as she is accomplished. To know her is to love her, and if you have the privilege of working alongside her, you are considered lucky. She constantly exudes positivity, always ready with a story, a joke, or a piece of advice.

During her career, Cathy has become one of the most well-connected figures in Southern California tennis and a leading voice for USTA SoCal. She champions increased participation, as well as advocating for equity, inclusion, and sportsmanship within the sport.

Formative Years

Spending her early years on the East Coast, Cathy grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her parents and older sister. Pittsburgh, known for its warm and kindhearted people, provided the perfect backdrop for Cathy’s childhood, mirroring the kindness and support of her own family. Her parents, always inclusive and generous, created an environment of love and encouragement in everything Cathy pursued. From a young age, Cathy developed a deep sense of community and connection, taking after her parents’ welcoming spirit.

“My parents were incredibly cool, and everyone adored them, which only added to the welcoming atmosphere,” said Cathy. “I was blessed to grow up surrounded by lots of friends, and our home was the place everyone loved to hang out.”

Though modest in size, the Jacobson home was always filled with love, laughter and excitement. Like many who grew up in Pittsburgh, sports played a central role in Cathy’s upbringing. She was surrounded by passionate fans, particularly those of the Steelers, as well as enthusiasts of other sports.

“Like most Pittsburghers, I became a passionate sports fan, and every Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated our home,” Cathy added. “My father would take laps around our dining room table when the score was close in the fourth quarter. Sports were my passion from an early age. I was the ultimate jock, the son my dad never had, and I thrived on competition.” 

It would not be until Cathy was nine years old that she and her sister were first introduced to tennis, when her parents took them to the Parkway Cabana Club. As social players themselves, Cathy’s parents took their children onto the court for fun, unknowing of the passion that would develop from it. Both Cathy and her sister took to the sport naturally, but it was Cathy’s competitive drive that set her apart, fueling her determination to pursue tennis more seriously. Though unable to afford lessons, her determination, grit, and commitment to becoming a better player helped propel her forward. Less than two years after being introduced to the sport, she began playing competitively, making an immediate impact and consistently delivering strong results.

“I was a natural competitor, and while I played many sports socially, tennis became my primary focus,” explained Cathy. “My journey into competitive tennis was brief, with just two years of practice before I began competing. During that time, I only played about three to four times a week. My competitive drive was so strong that I was eager to enter tournaments as soon as possible, which I did at age eleven. This is when I began to take the sport seriously.” 

Competing in the 12-and-under division, Cathy’s skills on the court only grew with each match, and she quickly began dominating the local competition. Before long, she was soaring up the ranks and ultimately earned the title of the No. 1 player in the Allegheny Mountain Tennis Association for her age group. This was no short-lived achievement, as Cathy would go on to hold this top spot all the way through the 18-and-under division. Cathy attended Taylor Allderdice High School for all four years, where she enshrined herself as one of the best players in the school’s history. Here, Cathy was unstoppable in regional play, racking up four consecutive Pittsburgh City Doubles Championships with partner Jill Grinberg, and triumphed in the Pennsylvania State Doubles Championships for three straight years. Cathy’s in-state success earned her national recognition, giving her the opportunity to compete in several national USTA invitational tournaments. She was also selected to represent her region at the National Sports Festival, also known as the Junior Olympics, held in Colorado Springs. 

Collegiate Legacy

In her final years of high school, Cathy’s hard work paid off, earning her a scholarship to play tennis at the University of Pittsburgh. Located less than ten minutes from her high school, Pitt offered everything she was looking for: a top-tier education, the opportunity to continue her tennis career, proximity to home, and financial assistance for her tuition. Picking up right where she left off in high school, Cathy thrived on the court, ultimately becoming a four-year letter winner for the women’s tennis team.

As a Panther, Cathy served as team captain during her junior and senior years and was named Most Valuable Player as a senior. She competed in the number one or two singles positions throughout her college career. Leaving a lasting legacy, Cathy currently holds the fourth-highest career singles winning percentage in Pitt tennis history.

In 1983, Cathy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a minor in Physical Education.

Shaping a Career

After graduating, Cathy was drawn to the West Coast, making her way to Long Beach, California, where she has lived ever since. With her degree in hand, Cathy wasted no time putting it to good use, beginning a full-time teaching role at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. Her long-held desire to teach tennis was perfectly aligned with this opportunity, especially given the sunny, year-round atmosphere that California provided. For the next eight years, she worked her way up the ranks, becoming head pro, then manager, and ultimately a partner with Long Beach native Billie Jean King. During this period, Cathy also found numerous opportunities to coach high school girls’ varsity tennis teams. She served as an assistant coach at Marina High School in Huntington Beach and Cypress College. From 1993 to 1994, she took on the role of Head Coach for the girls’ tennis team at St. Joseph’s High School in Lakewood, California, and she spent several years helping develop players at Wilson High School in Long Beach.

In 1991, Cathy and Billie Jean King formed the management company ‘Kings Aces,’ which set the stage for their appointment by the director of Parks and recreation as the exclusive operator of both the Billie Jean King and El Dorado Park Tennis Centers. They managed these facilities for the next four years. 

In 1995, Cathy was awarded a request for proposal and formed her own company, ‘First Serve Tennis, Inc.’ as the sole manager of the tennis facilities for the city of Long Beach. 

Under Cathy’s leadership for the next two and a half decades, tennis flourished in Long Beach. She oversaw more than 100 Parks & Recreation tennis classes across the city, leaving an indelible mark on the Southern California tennis community. Through First Serve Tennis, Cathy also provided courts and instructors for initiatives such as the Long Beach Veterans’ Administration Wounded Warrior Wheelchair Tennis Program, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Educational Athletic Foundation and NAACP, all of which significantly impacted the lives of deaf,  hard-of-hearing and underprivileged individuals.

Cathy’s boundless energy and determination enabled her to excel in multiple roles simultaneously, a rare and invaluable skill. In addition to her leadership at the Billie Jean King and El Dorado Park Tennis Centers, Cathy also managed the Seal Beach Tennis Center for four years during this period.

Continued Impact with USTA Southern California

While serving in her management and coaching roles in Long Beach, Cathy was invited by Pam Austin in 2009 to join the USTA Southern California Tennis Association Board of Directors. In this capacity, Cathy worked alongside other key figures in the section to address pressing issues, promote accessibility, vote on important topics, and develop new initiatives to grow the sport. Her impactful work in this role eventually led to her appointment to the Executive Board in 2017. Cathy deeply valued her time on the Board, cherishing the opportunity to collaborate with influential leaders within the SoCal tennis community. She was committed to attending every meeting and spent several years in this role, making a significant contribution to the organization.

After a long and successful tenure, Cathy decided to step down from her position leading the Billie Jean King and El Dorado Park Tennis Centers for the city of Long Beach in 2021, hoping to take a short break. However, she was soon pulled back into the tennis world when Trevor Kronemann, USTA SoCal’s Executive Director, presented her with an opportunity she couldn’t resist.

“After 30 years of managing these great facilities in Long Beach, I decided to step down in 2021. It was a surprise when just months after stepping away that Trevor approached me about leading the new SoCal Pro Series,” mentioned Cathy. “Although I initially felt I needed a small break, I couldn’t say no to him, or to this incredible organization.” 

In her seasonal position, Cathy was responsible for planning, budgeting, court allocation, securing sponsors, arranging hotels, and handling tournament logistics for the first three years of the Pro Series (2022–2024). Designed to highlight Southern California’s top emerging talent while providing numerous opportunities to compete in ITF Pro Circuit $15K events, the Pro Series has been a resounding success. Under Cathy’s leadership, the event has only grown each year, helping to launch the careers of stars like Learner Tien, Iva Jovic, Ryan Seggerman and Patrik Trhac. 

“The accomplishment I’m most proud of is the SoCal Pro Series—watching it grow and being a part of its success since its inception has been incredibly gratifying and fulfilling,” stated Cathy. 

Seeing Cathy’s immediate impact and continued contributions to tennis, USTA SoCal realized they had something truly special. As a result, she was offered a full-time position in late 2024. She was hired as the organization’s ‘Manager of Special Projects’ in September.

“I officially became an employee in September, marking my very first time in an employee role,” Cathy commented. “My current title is ‘Manager of Special Projects,’ where I contribute through organization, communication, attention to detail, and relationship-building. A significant part of my job involves booking hotels and catering for events, which allows me to forge meaningful new connections and relationships which I love.”

Cathy’s vibrant personality and dedication to excellence made her an ideal fit for the role. In addition to those already mentioned, her responsibilities include planning staff events, managing budgets, continuing to lead the SoCal Pro Series, coordinating with facilities and courts, and working with tournament directors.

“Cathy’s boundless energy, resourcefulness, and positive attitude make her a joy to work with,” shared Maria Goldberg, USTA SoCal’s Senior Director of Competition. “She approaches every task with efficiency, persistence, and charisma, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. Cathy’s can-do spirit and natural leadership elevate any project and make her an invaluable team member.”

In her role, Cathy is most appreciative of the people she interacts with daily, the overall mission of the company, and the goals that are achieved together. She feels that every day is rewarding, and there isn’t a day that she doesn’t love what she is doing.

Reflections & Accomplishments

Looking back upon her distinguished career, Cathy has earned numerous accolades and Hall of Fame inductions that many can only dream of. Over the years, her dedication to tennis and her tireless work in the community have been recognized by several prestigious organizations:

> 1995 – Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center’s Sports Hall of Fame Induction
> 2005 – Long Beach Chapter of the NAACP Presidents Award
> 2005 – Wilson Racquet Sports Exclusive Retail Dealer of the Year Award
> 2008 – USTA Manager of the Year Award 
> 2009 – Selected to the USTA Southern California Board of Directors
> 2009 – U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) District 4 President
> 2010 – SCTA Member Organization of the Year Award 
> 2011 – USPTA Manager of the Year Award
> 2012 – University of Pittsburgh Varsity Letter Club Award of Distinction
> 2013 – State of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Induction
> 2015 – Long Beach Century Club Award for the Promotion of Athletics
> 2017 – Appointed as an Officer to the USTA SoCal Executive Board

Life Beyond Tennis

Today, Cathy is able to share her passion for tennis with her husband and two daughters. When she is not surrounded by tennis, Cathy enjoys staying active with workouts, spending quality time with her family, and getaways to Palm Desert. 

“In my free time, I stay active with gym workouts and hot yoga. Since my oldest daughter moved to New York two years ago, we try to visit as much as possible and attend Broadway shows. As as a family, we love traveling, especially to white sand beaches.” 

A natural caregiver, Cathy consistently looks out for her colleagues, treating them with the same care and concern she would for her own family.

“My number one priority in life is being the best wife, mom and daughter I can be. I oversee my mom’s health and well-being, managing her affairs while she is struggling with dementia,” mentioned Cathy. “On the tennis side, I am committed to actively supporting and contributing to the growth of tennis in Southern California through youth and adult development and community outreach.”

A few lesser-known facts about Cathy include that she and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino attended her senior prom together and were high school sweethearts. Additionally, Cathy has also kept in close contact with Billie Jean King over the course of her career, who she has had a personal friendship with now for nearly 35 years. In 2023, Billie Jean asked Cathy to personally introduce her at the 20th annual Long Beach Grape Expectations Gala, where she received the 2023 Library Leadership Award. Most recently, Cathy was invited by Billie Jean to attend as her guest when she receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 7th.

Advising those interested in playing tennis for the first time, Cathy shares that it is most important to have fun. She emphasized that as long as you do your best, there is not much more that you can ask for. She believes that the greatest opponent in tennis you’ll ever face is yourself. Over the course of her career, she has learned many valuable lessons, with perhaps the most important being that kindness and direct verbal communication gets you immensely far in life.

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to be kind to others and treat people the way you want to be treated,” Cathy said. “I deeply appreciate the little things in life and find joy in giving back and helping others. I believe that as long as you do your best, that’s what matters most.”