Tammy Hill-  2009 OTA Volunteer of the Year

Tammy Hill serves on the Omaha Tennis Association Board of Directors as the Membership Chair. She
co-chaired an OTA and USTA membership campaign in the spring of 2009.  In addition, she played an important role in coordinating the Karen Niemants Memorial Tournament, which was named the 2009 OTA and NTA Event of the Year.  Recently, Tammy was appointed to serve as the Nebraska coach for the Special Olympics Tennis Team which will compete at the National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska in July, 2010.

Tammy Hill has embraced the existing Special Olympics Nebraska Tennis program, and has added a year-round supplementary training program in the Omaha area that has impacted the development of the athletes significantly.  This supplementary tennis program is called Tennis Buddies. 

Tammy plans not only on-court activities for the Special Olympics athletes, but has organized various social and competitive events as well. She arranges volunteers for the practice sessions (both indoor and outdoor), tournaments, and social gatherings.

In 2006 and 2007, the Tennis Buddies (formerly called Unified Doubles) event was added to all of the Omaha adult tennis tournaments.  Special Olympics athletes paired up with a partner and played doubles in this mainstreamed event. The Tennis Buddies event has been the largest doubles draw in each of the tournaments, and has proven to be quite competitive. Tennis Buddies athletes play alongside Open division athletes, increasing the community’s awareness and involvement in the program.

In 2007, a partnership was formed with the Creighton University Men’s and Women’s tennis teams, pairing up Creighton athletes with the Tennis Buddies athletes in both training and social settings.

In addition, Tammy has formed a partnership with 24 Hour Fitness to give the athletes additional opportunities to develop physically.  Once a week, the athletes work with a personal trainer in cardio-fitness and weight training circuits, after which they may participate in other activities such as salsa dancing, pilates, and basketball.

Tammy has hosted numerous Tennis Buddies social gatherings, including holiday parties and potluck dinners.  She also drives athletes to practices and events when needed.  Tennis Buddies t-shirts and are proudly worn by the athletes and the volunteers alike.