ABOUT
A 501c3 organization, Woods Tennis and Educational Foundation (WTEF) provides financial and other resources in support of tennis programs, scholarships and activities offered to individuals from all backgrounds in Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding communities through Woods Tennis Center.
Examples of these programs include:
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Need- and merit-based scholarships
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Free racquets to first time participants in a Woods group lesson
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Tennis for children with autism
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Community outreach to Lincoln-area recreation centers and Lincoln Community Learning Centers
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Summer tennis at the local city parks
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Wheelchair tennis
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The Madonna Rehabilitation adaptive sports program
WTEF raises funds from the community in order to support these programs, as well as to endow future plans, equipment and facilities at both Woods Tennis Center and other Lincoln and surrounding communities public tennis facilities. Taking our Game to the Community!
OUR BOARD
LYNN CALLAHAN
Treasurer
Lynn became Manager of Woods Tennis Center in January 2014, after a ten-year tenure as senior business analyst for NET television and radio and University of Nebraska facilities. Prior to NET, Lynn served as Director of Operations for Viatel Inc, while also running her own small business, Data Definitions and Consulting. Lynn brings extensive business and management experience to Woods, where she has reorganized back office operations and has served as the Lincoln USTA Adult League Coordinator and Woods League Coordinator. She is an avid adult league player and former cardio class superstar.
NELLE JAMISON
Secretary
Nelle earned a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She serves on the Woods Charitable Fund Board where she is Board Chair. Nelle is married to John-Paul and they have two children Helen and Ruyter. All four of them play tennis at Woods in some capacity. She played tennis at Woods back in the day when Henry Cox was her instructor. In her free time when she isn't playing tennis, she enjoys golf and spending her summers on Lake Superior.
MARG DONLAN
President
Marg brings to WTEF her belief in “Paying it Forward” to make Woods Tennis a place where everyone thrives and has fun. Her years on the court started when she took “Tennis 101” in summer school. She’s played USTA Women’s League and volunteered teaching tennis to middle school children in underserved neighborhoods around Lincoln. Going on to be president of Lincoln Tennis Association she then helped lead two successful capital campaigns for the Woods Tennis Center- “Park it at Woods” and “Taking the Game to the Community.” Through the
years Marg has volunteered on multiple nonprofit boards both locally and regionally.
DR. CARMEN HILL GRANT
Board Member
Dr. Carmen Hill Grant started playing tennis at age ten, through a summer program at the Denver Parks and Recreation Department. She won city, state and Intermountain Jr. championships and competed at the then Jr. Wightman Cup events in the Intermountain Region. She continued to play competitive tournament tennis throughout high school and college. Upon graduation from university, Dr. Carmen Hill Grant moved to Lincoln to pursue a PhD in Psychology at UNL. She became involved in USTA Team Tennis at its infancy and captained a Women's 4.0 team in 1988 that went to Nationals at Seabrook Island, S.C..
During the l980's she became interested in sports psychology, undertook training in the field and worked as a sports psychologist with several teams at the UNL Athletic Department. From 2008 through 2017 she served as President of Friends of Woods Tennis, Inc. Those years of work and partnering with Lincoln's mayor and city council, players, patrons and citizens throughout the community resulted in the opening of the New Woods Tennis Center in May, 2017. In November of 2017 she was honored to become a member of the Nebraska Tennis Hall of Fame.
DAVID CLARK
Board Member
David completed his undergraduate degree and did post graduate studies at UNL. David has worked in the fine art framing business for over 30 years. As a community volunteer he has served on the Boards of the Robert Hillestad Textile Gallery, MEDICI, Sheldon Art Advisory Board, and Sheldon Art Association. David has had a life-long interest in tennis. His involvement with the Woods Tennis Center has included lessons, league play, volunteer for ACEing Autism and sponsorships of the Turkey Pro/Am and Summer Bash tournaments.
KAREN PLACHY
Board Member
Karen earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Creighton University. She has served as a volunteer nurse and on a variety of committees, boards and projects over the last ~20 years. Karen is married to Lewis and they have twins who are college freshmen. Joseph and Clare have been competitive junior and high school tennis players, and now both play college tennis. Karen and Lewis are very grateful for the friendship of many tennis families and support of the wonderful tennis community as they raised their family.