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 Ron Cioffi | February 23, 2026

USTA has named Wilbert “Doc” Whitfield as the 2025 Captain of the Year. It is the first time this award has been bestowed. 

After being named USTA STATE, SOUTHERN, AND NATIONAL Captain of the Year, the section submitted Whitfield’s nomination for the national award.

Whitfield, from Baton Rouge, La., has served as a USTA League captain for 14 years and has led at least 87 teams. He has played on USTA League teams for 37 years. Other honors this year include (GBRCTA) Captain of the Year and USTA Louisiana Captain of the Year.

He was congratulated in a virtual call by USTA Southern President & CEO Ted Reese, Adult League Committee members, section and national staff.

USTA Louisiana Director of Adult League Marty Engle wrote:

Wilbert "Doc" Whitfield is a long-standing and devoted USTA League captain whose passion for tennis and dedication to his players truly set him apart. A year-round leader, Doc is the captain of multiple teams and continually goes the extra mile to support player development by organizing weekly practices focused on improvement and camaraderie. Even when he's not competing, he can often be found courtside cheering on his teammates and offering encouragement and strategic insight.

Doc is also widely respected for his inclusivity and generosity. Beyond his established roster, he frequently reviews the "players looking for a team" list to ensure that new or returning players have opportunities to participate. His commitment to growing the game extends beyond his own teams, as he routinely mentors new captains, offering guidance on make-up matches, scheduling, and team management.

Known for his professionalism and reliability, Doc maintains consistent and proactive communication with league coordinators, keeping all details organized and running smoothly. While his teams did not advance to the State Championship in 2025, they have achieved that distinction in past seasons—an achievement that reflects his strong leadership, sportsmanship, and team-building skills.

Wilbert "Doc" Whitfield (blue hat) is feted by members of the Baton Rouge tennis community after he was named USTA Captain of the Year.
 

In the application for this award, Whitfield wrote:

“My love for the game was so intense that, during my 34 years as an educator, I attempted to start tennis programs at the schools where I worked. While my attempts to introduce the youth were unsuccessful, that did not stop me from wanting to remain active and play competitive tennis. So, when I retired in 2011 and decided to focus on both my mental and physical health, I organized my first 3.5 men’s team in 2012.

With limited resources and very few players at the start, I began recruiting from the Greater Baton Rouge ‘Players Looking for a Team’ list online. Shortly afterwards in 2016, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

After a successful surgery and an expeditious recovery, I was back on the court within four months winning my first doubles match. I’m blessed to say I’m cancer-free and still competing today.

As a Captain, my philosophy has always been to “Practice with a Purpose.” I encourage the players to focus on fundamentals, embrace their mistakes, and make minor adjustments but never allow anger to infiltrate their game. It is my belief that the simple message of “Just keep calm and play tennis!” has played an intricate part in our success on the court and it should never involve throwing the racquet in disgust, blasting balls over the fence, and displaying temper tantrums.