Ethel Byers

Byers, a Santa Barbara native, has been a humble servant of the local athletic community for over 30 years.

Her work with various organizations and schools – notably the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table (SBART), Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons, Santa Barbara Athletic Association, and Santa Barbara High School — is legendary for its passion and commitment.

Ethel’s can-do, make-it-happen approach, happily tending to every administrative detail — aided by her career in public accounting — ensured a smooth, successful and efficient operation of many athletic organizations and events.

Byers also worked on committees at the sectional level of the United States Tennis Association and has served as tournament director for several national championships. For the past decade, she has served as Assistant Tournament Director to Larry Mousouris for the USTA’s Men’s 50-and-Over National Hard Court Championships, which are held annually at the Tennis Club of Santa Barbara.

“The contributions made by Ethel Byers are nothing short of extraordinary,” says Mousouris. “What Ethel brings to the table far exceeds volunteer work. Ethel makes everything she is involved with better. While she is an outstanding tennis player and executes assignments flawlessly, it is her initiative and thoroughness that make her invaluable as a level-one National Tournament Director for the USTA and Santa Barbara Tennis Club. Due to her tireless effort and penchant for detail, tennis players from around the world have been afforded a top-flight competitive experience as well as a wonderful memory of time spent in our community. Her warmth, commitment, and generosity are an inspiration to me and all that know her.”

In recognition of her work, Byers was inducted into the Tennis Patrons’ Hall of Fame in 2012 and was named the RF MacFarland Award recipient in 2009.

Ethel graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1959 and married Dale Byers. Ethel and Dale have three children and three grandchildren.