Tallahassee’s Seay Named USTA Florida May Tennis Volunteer of the Month

Elizabeth Adkison Seay played high school tennis in Tallahassee, and always thought there would be a day when she could return to the area, and return the joy she received from playing as a youth.

Seay is now in the second year of volunteering with the City of Tallahassee’s 10 and Under Tennis program, where youth learn the game through a progression with age-appropriate balls (red, orange, green), smaller racquets to fit small hands, and graduated court sizes. After a career as a flight attendant kept her off the courts and traveling, the return to Tallahassee has not only seen her giving back to the game, but taking up tennis again.

“I have really enjoyed working with City of Tallahassee tennis program,” says Seay, who lives in the Tallahassee suburb of Havana. “That’s where it all began for me too, many years ago. USTA 10 and Under Tennis has allowed me to work with children from very diverse backgrounds and to hopefully be a bright spot in their afternoon.”

USTA Florida Tallahassee-area Tennis Program Coordinator George English says Seay especially enjoys working with one special population.

“She is a super volunteer with 10 and Under Tennis using the modified equipment, and she is especially interested in giving underprivileged children an opportunity to enjoy playing tennis,” English says. “The Tallahassee community is very fortunate to have such a dedicated individual in youth tennis.”

Glen Howe, tennis superintendent for Tallahassee Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs, has watched Seay’s beginnings as a volunteer with 10 and Under Tennis branch out to assisting with tennis events and programs across the board.

“Elizabeth has always assisted in our presentations around the city getting kids involved in tennis,” Howe says. “Special Olympics kids, STOMP[ing Out Diabetes], and numerous other city tennis programs. She has volunteered to assist with the Maggie Coffey Memorial event and additional Venom Foundation events that benefit inner-city kids. As far as adults, she co-captains an A-league team and a City of Tallahassee tennis team. Not only is she passionate about volunteering to share her love for the game, Elizabeth plays whenever possible. Her commitment to the community junior and adults has been impactful to say the least.”

From her earliest tennis memory of finding her mother’s wooden Jack Kramer racquet in the utility room, to as a child riding her bike to Winthrop Park and hitting on the backboard and playing, Seay says she enjoys sharing that same joy of tennis with the kids.

“I love seeing the kids’ faces when balls are hit and points are scored,” Seay says. “I always say, for me this is more than tennis.”

USTA Florida congratulates and thanks Elizabeth Adkison Seay as the May Volunteer of the Month for giving back to the children of Tallahassee and introducing future players through the fun of 10 and Under Tennis.

ABOUT ELIZABETH

Birthplace: Tallahassee, Fla.
Family: “Husband, stepchildren, parents, brother…lots.”
Favorite Movie: Anything historical, or period piece
Favorite Food: Chocolate
Favorite Travel: Montana
Favorite Shot: Two-handed backhand

If I could play tennis with three people, they would be…“Chris Evert and the Williams sisters.”

When I am not playing tennis I am…“Volunteering, junking, thrifting, and spending time with family and friends.”