The USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation is excited to announce that Patricia (Patty) Bramlet is the recipient of the 2023 Heart for Community – USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation District Executive Director Award!
This award was founded in memory of Margaret Ruemanapp, who was a recognized leader within the Northern Michigan Tennis Association and served as their Executive Director. This award honors her innovative and inclusive spirit.
Patricia (Patty) Bramlet started playing tennis at the age of 30. She played racquetball in college and after graduation, she noticed there were no racquetball courts in rural areas. So, she turned to playing tennis and found a new love of the sport. Flash forward to today, and Bramlet is still serving up tennis across Illinois.
In 2000, Bramlet founded the Mount Carmel Tennis Association, a Community Tennis Association (CTA). Through this CTA, she is actively involved on the court and serving others in the community. Like Margaret, Bramlet is a leader, a teacher and a coach. And also like Margaret, Bramlet started tennis programs where there were none. Between 2000-2023, she became the assistant coach for Mt. Carmel High School and eventually in 2021, the head coach of both the girls and boys tennis teams.
From 2004, Bramlet worked with not only the Middle Illinois District, but also the Southern Illinois District. In 2013, the two districts merged, which allowed scalability and seamless management. For roughly 23 years, Bramlet was able to coordinate junior and adult tournaments, act as both the junior and adult league coordinator, run Junior Team Tennis and Midwest Youth Team Tennis, coach Cup Teams, participate on the Feedback Committee for the Girls State Tennis Tournament, sit on the Illinois High School Association Tennis Advisory Committee and help form a new National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapter in her district through government funding. With her advocacy, the new NJTL will benefit more than 13 new schools and impact more than 450 youth in areas that are underserved.
We would like to thank Bramlet for her dedication to the youth in her community and 30 plus years of bringing tennis to communities within the state of Illinois and the USTA Mid-South Illinois District.
Heart for Community – USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation District Executive Director Award: Recipients of this award must exhibit a commitment to growing the game of tennis for youth with an emphasis on serving those with disabilities, from underserved communities and/or financially disadvantaged. Given annually, this award honors a USTA Midwest Section District Executive Director who exemplifies these qualities.