Judy Utley: Through the Ranks, Utley Served Tennis With Love
USTA Southern mourns the death of former USTA Southern President Judy Utley, who passed away in her sleep today in her home in Greensboro, N.C.
Tennis has always had a place in the heart of Utley, as a player and as an administrator looking for ways to improve the sport. She was nicknamed "Lady Utley" for her elegance and grace.
Utley was the recipient of the Jacobs Bowl and the Charlie Morris Award, the two highest honors given to USTA Southern volunteers. She was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.
Utley’s service was recognized with two national honors. In 2019, she was honored with the USTA League Volunteer of the Year. In 2009, she received the prestigious USTA Barbara Williams Leadership Award. A video about this honor can be found here.
Since the beginning of her career, Utley has been recognized for her extraordinary heart, dedication and contributions to tennis. She received the 1989 NCTA Adult/Senior Tennis Council Award. In 1997, she earned the USTA League Award from North Carolina. She received the District Service Award in 1990 and 1997. In 2011, she was inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame.
Judy Utley's Southern Tennis Hall of Fame video
She served for a number of years on the Greensboro Tennis Association Board of Directors, eventually serving as Co-president. She continued to excel with her volunteer work serving as North Carolina’s State League Coordinator from 1988-1990 and moved her way through the ranks of USTA North Carolina as Secretary and Vice President during the late 1990s. In 2000, Utley became the President of USTA North Carolina.
Utley used her love of league tennis to promote the program on the Sectional level. She served as the chair of the USTA Southern Adult League Committee from 1993-2000. In 1996, she received the Gerrie Rothwell Award which recognizes a volunteer for their service to USTA League tennis.
Serving as USTA Southern Secretary in 2001-02 followed by a term of Vice President, Utley became the section’s Executive Vice President in 2005 and then was elected President for the 2007-2008 term. She initiated projects, such as the revision of the USTA Southern Bylaws, that impacted the Section for years to come.
On the National level, she continued with her passion for leadership in adult league play. She served as a member of the USTA League Committee and chair of USTA League Regulations Subcommittee. Other National positions included two terms as a Council Chair and a member of the Advisory Group on Committees. She served as Council Chair Coordinator and a member of the Advisory Group on Committees.