The United States Tennis Association Boys’ Sportsmanship Award is presented annually at the close of the USTA National Boys’ 18 & 16 Clay Court Championships to the player in the tournament who, in the opinion of the Tournament Committee, most nearly approaches the ideal in sportsmanship, appearance, court manners and tactics.

There are people who contribute to this world by who they are and people who contribute by what they do. Dwight A. Mosley was both of these. As the Director of the USTA Washington Tennis Foundation from 1984 until his passing in 1996, Dwight Mosley influenced the lives of hundreds of youths in tennis and sports and through multiple other community programs.

He first began helping children by coaching football, then in recreation programs throughout Washington, and finally in the WTF, enabling youths in numerous local communities experience sports and other activities and services. In 1993, Mosley was elected to the United States Tennis Association’s Board of Directors where he was able to broaden his sphere of influence and add to even more lives.

His death is not only a loss to his wife, Camille, and children, Lauren and Kyle, but to youths locally and throughout our nation. However, his contributions continue to live after him, bringing hope and giving opportunities to both individuals and communities.

To honor the man and commemorate his accomplishments, the Dwight A. Mosley Sportsmanship Award will be bestowed upon the 16-and-under athlete who embodies this spirit of giving. It is a symbol of the qualities that make a man a hero.

This sportsmanship award is being initiated in honor of the quintessential Kentucky gentleman, Sam O. English, Jr. of Louisville. Almost single-handedly, Mr. English put Louisville "on the map" in the world of tennis.

Cliff Drysdale may have said it best when he stated about Sam that “You were a true pioneer in the promotion of tennis. You were so successful because you were a friend to everyone.” Rod Laver said, upon meeting Mr. English in the early 1970’s, that it was “obvious that you were instrumental in bringing championship tennis to Louisville. Your long history of involvement has kept Louisville a force in tennis.” And Mrs. Arthur (Jeanne) Ashe noted that Sam “has everyone’s appreciation for all the great work that you have done in tennis and for the community.”

As a player, Mr. English captained his high school tennis team and then served as captain of his Yale University team in 1955, when Yale won the Eastern Championship. His exceptional play won him more than 100 singles and doubles titles, and he was five times honored as Louisville Courier-Journal’s Kentucky Men’s Player of the Year.

As one can imagine, Mr. English has received numerous honors awards. Foremost among these are his induction into the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985, the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, and the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002.

Mr. English served as the chairman of the USTA Boys’ 18 Clay Court Tennis Championships from 1967-2001. To honor this gentleman and commemorate his many accomplishments, the Sam O. English, Jr. Boys’ 18 Sportsmanship Award will be bestowed upon the athlete who embodies his spirit of excellence.