Escambia County’s Susan Schellin named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

Tennis has a unique way of bringing people together, and for Susan Schellin, it has been a lifelong passion from playing to giving back to the sport. As a USTA Florida Love to Learn Ambassador for the past three years and part of the Volunteer Development & Enrichment project team, Susan has dedicated her time to growing the game and creating a welcoming environment for new players. 

Growing up in a rural area, her high school didn’t have a tennis team, but it did have a court with a worn-out net. Susan and her friends would string up the net and start playing. While they weren’t advanced, their PE coach taught them basic rules of tennis and just let them hit. That joy of hitting the ball across the net with her friends would ignite the flames of a lifelong passion. 

Her passion for tennis has since grown into a love for volunteering, particularly with adult beginners. Susan loves helping adults experience the excitement of learning something new. “Adults are so used to being in charge and having to be responsible for everything in their lives,” she said. “On the tennis court, they can just act like kids and not beat themselves up for not being the best at something!” 

She captains USTA League teams, volunteers with Love to Learn and Love to Play, while also filling in wherever r needed. Additionally, Susan has completed multiple levels of the USTA Florida Community Coach program and is a recent graduate of USTA Florida’s Leadership Academy. “She is such a joy to have as a volunteer in our tennis community, not just in Pensacola, but across the state,” a peer said. 

One of Susan’s most rewarding accomplishments was completing the USTA Leadership Academy in May 2023. This year-long program provided her with opportunities to connect with fellow volunteers, develop organizational leadership skills, and learn more about volunteer engagement within the USTA and its Sections. Reflecting on her experience, she recalls how much she enjoyed meeting like-minded individuals who share her enthusiasm for tennis and volunteerism. 

When Susan isn’t on the tennis court, she’s still deeply involved in the sport through her volunteer work. Professionally, she keeps busy as a Registered Nurse working in clinical information systems, but tennis always remains a central part of her life. One of her proudest tennis memories came in 2021, when she was a finalist in her first-ever doubles tournament and earning her first trophy. 

USTA Florida congratulates and thanks Susan for her dedication and enthusiasm. Her contributions to the tennis community continue to inspire those around her. 

Interested in volunteering in tennis? Visit ustaflorida.com/volunteers to learn more about available opportunities.