USTA Southern California Names Suzanne Young
2025 Adult League Captain of the Year

USTA Southern California has proudly named Coachella Valley’s Suzanne Young its 2025 Adult League Captain of the Year. Chosen through a rigorous nomination process, the honor recognizes one captain whose leadership, sportsmanship, and service to the game best represent the values of USTA Adult League tennis.

Suzanne was nominated for the award by Coachella Valley’s Area League Coordinator, Donna Ringer, whose submission emphasized Suzanne’s outstanding contributions to both her local area and section as a whole. 

“When I found out I was chosen for USTA SoCal Captain of the Year, I was genuinely overwhelmed and incredibly honored,” Suzanne said. “My first reaction was a mix of surprise, gratitude, and deep appreciation for everyone who has been a part of this journey.”

For Suzanne, the honor affirms the importance of inclusiveness, teamwork, and community, values she has consistently prioritized throughout her captaining career.

“This recognition means so much because it reflects not just competitive achievements, but the values I care about most,” added Suzanne. “It affirms that the effort put into developing players, building positive team culture, and strengthening connections does make a difference. More than anything, this award inspires me to continue leading with heart and to keep giving back to the sport and community that have given me so much.” 

At the start of 2026, the National League Committee will review all nominations from the 17 USTA sections and select one National League Captain of the Year, along with four additional captains named Notable Nominees. The recognition carries national visibility and rewards that include waived membership costs, attendance at the USTA Annual Meeting, or tickets to the 2026 US Open.

Within one of the most competitive sections in the country, Suzanne stood out not only for her success on the court, but for the culture she has built and the community she continues to elevate.

Growing Up on the Move 

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Suzanne spent much of her childhood on the move as part of an Air Force family. After traveling across the country, she spent her early years in Minnesota, but later settled in Colorado. While locations changed, sports remained a constant in her life, with figure skating, volleyball, and gymnastics playing a central role in her early athletic development.

“Being ‘the new girl’ almost every year, sports were my way of building friendships, finding community, and feeling connected in each new place,” Suzanne stated. “Those experiences shaped who I am today. They taught me the value of inclusiveness and the importance of helping others feel welcomed—qualities that now guide how I approach captaining and why I’m so passionate about bringing new players into the USTA family.”

Discovering Tennis 

Although sports had always been a central part of her life, tennis did not enter the picture until much later. After moving to La Quinta in the mid 2010s and entering a new chapter as an empty nester, Suzanne began searching for an activity that could once again provide the connection and camaraderie she had experienced through sports growing up. Having spent much of her adult life playing golf, she found herself drawn to something that offered a stronger team dynamic. That search ultimately led her to tennis.

“I first picked up a racket at the age of 53 during my empty-nest era, when I stumbled upon a 2.5 clinic at the Rancho La Quinta Country Club,” Suzanne recalled. “After a lifetime of playing golf, I felt it was the perfect moment to try something new, and when I received a tennis racket for Christmas that year, everything fell into place.” 

A key influence in that journey was longtime coach Greg Felich. His teaching style, passion for the game, and ability to make every player feel encouraged helped ignite Suzanne’s love for tennis. His influence extended beyond technique, helping lay the foundation for the leader and captain she would later become.

From Player to Captain

After joining USTA Adult League play in the Coachella Valley in 2018, Suzanne was immediately hooked. By 2021, she had taken on the role of captain, driven by her unique perspective as someone who found tennis later in life. She recognized the power of a welcoming and supportive team experience and was determined to provide that opportunity for others.

“Discovering tennis later in life gave me a deep appreciation for how meaningful a great team experience can be, and I wanted to provide that same sense of community, encouragement and sportsmanship for others,” remarked Suzanne. “Since then, I have captained 24 teams across multiple divisions and age groups. Each team has given me the opportunity to bring players together, foster camaraderie, and help grow the sport within our district—something I am incredibly proud of and passionate about.” 

Success Built Over Time 

Since beginning league play, Suzanne has participated in 15 USTA league divisions, many of which she personally founded and captained at Rancho La Quinta and surrounding clubs. Her teams have consistently found success at both the local and sectional levels, highlighted by sustained excellence across multiple formats and age groups.

Among her most accomplished teams is the 55+ 6.0 women’s squad, which captured six consecutive Coachella Valley titles from 2020 through 2025 and advanced to Sectionals each season. Suzanne also founded the Tri-Level 4.0 team in 2021, guiding it to five straight Coachella Valley championships and five Sectionals appearances. In mixed competition, her 6.0 mixed doubles team won the Coachella Valley title in 2022 and advanced to USTA Nationals, while her 3.0 and 3.5 teams across the 18+ and 40+ divisions have collectively earned multiple Sectionals berths.

In total, Suzanne has guided teams to 11 Sectionals appearances and one Nationals appearance. While the accomplishments are impressive, she measures success in more personal ways. Winning league titles has been deeply meaningful, but what stands out most is watching players evolve, support one another, and rise together under pressure. She also takes pride in the relationships she has built with fellow captains throughout the Coachella Valley, strengthening a collaborative and supportive leadership community.

“Throughout my USTA journey, the moments that stand out the most are the ones that reflect both competitive success and the strength of the teams I’ve been fortunate to lead,” stated Suzanne. “Winning multiple league titles across divisions and age groups has been deeply meaningful, but what I treasure most is seeing players evolve, support one another, and rise to the occasion at the highest levels of competition.” 

Impact Felt Beyond Results 

It is not unusual to find Suzanne captaining multiple teams at once while still competing as a player. Despite the demanding schedule, she maintains a consistent tone of positivity, fairness, and grace.

Her teams are widely known for their camaraderie, mutual support, and respect. From the beginning of each season, Suzanne sets a clear tone built on positive communication, sportsmanship, and a sense of humor. She believes every player deserves respect, encouragement, and a meaningful place within the team, and she models the behavior she hopes to see in return.

“When players feel valued and respected, they naturally show up for each other,” said Suzanne. “That shared pride in our team culture is what transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive, sportsmanlike, and unified team.”

Balancing competitiveness with fairness is another hallmark of her leadership. Suzanne emphasizes team development just as much as results, setting expectations early and communicating openly throughout the season. Her approach is thoughtful and data driven, relying on preparation, statistics, and careful planning to determine lineups and playing time. That transparency builds trust and allows players to understand and respect the process.

Suzanne’s commitment to building community extends beyond her own teams. She collaborated on creating the “Tennis Whites Grass Tournament,” an event that pairs players from opposing teams for friendly doubles play followed by a potluck celebration. The tournament has become a symbol of the community spirit USTA tennis strives to promote, turning rivals into friends and strengthening bonds across clubs.

Beyond league play, Suzanne’s impact reaches into the broader community. Under her leadership, Rancho La Quinta teams collect clothing and equipment for local high school tennis programs, helping expand access to the sport for the next generation. She also serves as a trusted mentor to new captains, sharing organizational tools, scheduling strategies, and conflict resolution guidance that have helped others succeed.

“The inspiration for our community outreach came from a simple belief: tennis has given us so much, and it’s important to give that same opportunity to the next generation,” mentioned Suzanne. “When we learned that a local high school program was struggling with limited resources, it felt natural for our team to step in with clothing and equipment donations. Coaches have shared that our contributions have eased financial pressure on their programs and allowed more students to participate.  These students see firsthand that the sport they love has a supportive, uplifting network behind them. Watching that cycle of encouragement grow has been one of the most fulfilling parts of our outreach.” 

A Deserving Recipient

Suzanne’s influence extends beyond her own teams. While she is deeply respected by the players she leads, she is equally admired by opposing captains, league officials, and USTA Southern California staff. Her reputation for fairness, integrity, and genuine care for the player experience has made her one of the section’s most respected leaders.

“Suzanne embodies everything we value in a captain—exceptional leadership, tireless dedication, unwavering sportsmanship, and a contagious love for the game that inspires everyone around her. She believes every player—regardless of background, rating, or experience—deserves encouragement, respect, and the opportunity to experience joy in competition,” USTA SoCal’s Adult League Manager India Hoffman stated. “Suzanne exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a captain. She has built a tennis culture that radiates joy, respect, and sportsmanship—values that elevate our entire area. She is the gold standard for captains,” added Coachella Valley’s Adult League Coordinator Donna Ringer. 

Philosophy and Lessons Learned

At the core of Suzanne’s leadership philosophy is a belief that tennis is ultimately a people driven sport. Developing others, she believes, is essential to building strong and sustainable teams.

“A captain’s role goes far beyond lineups and results,” said Suzanne. “It’s about helping each player gain confidence, find joy in the game, and discover their own potential.”

Over the years, captaining has taught Suzanne the importance of clear communication, transparency, and flexibility. She understands that no season goes exactly as planned and that effective leadership requires adaptability and empathy.

“From captaining, I’ve learned the importance of clear communication—how transparency and consistency build trust within a team,” Suzanne mentioned. “I’ve learned that every player brings their own strengths, personalities, and motivations, and that meeting people where they are being essential to helping them thrive. True leadership isn’t about control—it’s about empowering others, celebrating their growth, and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued.” 

While titles and trophies are rewarding, she believes the most meaningful outcomes are confidence gained, friendships formed, and the joy players experience from being part of something bigger than themselves.

Representing SoCal at the National Level

Representing Southern California on the national stage is an honor that Suzanne does not take lightly. She views the nomination as a reflection not only of her own journey, but of the players, captains, and community that have shaped and supported her.

“Our section is known for its depth of talent, strong competition, and exceptional leadership, so being chosen to stand alongside nominees from across the country is truly mind blowing,” shared Suzanne. “It represents not only my own journey, but the dedication of the players, captains, and community that have shaped and supported me.”

If selected as National League Captain of the Year, Suzanne believes the recognition would symbolize the impact heart driven leadership can have on teams and communities. More importantly, she hopes her story sends a clear message.

“The message I hope my story sends is simple: you don’t have to grow up with a racket in your hand to make a difference in tennis. You can start at any age, in any chapter of life, and still build something extraordinary through consistency, connection, and compassion,” Suzanne commented. “I hope captains see that welcoming new players, fostering belonging, and leading with kindness can be just as powerful as winning titles.” 

For Suzanne Young, tennis is more than a sport. It is a community that teaches, connects, and inspires. Through her leadership, that community has become stronger, more welcoming, and more united, making her a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 USTA SoCal Adult League Captain of the Year honor.