CHARLESTON – An annual women’s tennis tournament sponsored by a Charleston law firm has received a big boost from Big Jim Justice.
Thunder in the Mountains, the annual tournament sponsored by Rusty Webb of The Webb Law Centre, recently announced a $10,000 donation from the former governor and current U.S. Senator from his Governor’s Contingency Fund.
Webb said the donation was one of Justice’s last official acts as governor.
Webb
“With this contribution, we can offer $10,000 in cash prizes to eligible high school, college and pro players this year,” Webb said. “His generosity allows us to host the largest women’s tennis tournament in West Virginia since the Sweet 16s tournament last played in the 1970s and ’80s.”
The Sweet 16 National Junior Women’s Tennis tournament was hosted from 1970 to 1988 at the Charleston Tennis Club. Some well-known women’s players, usually just before they turned pro, took part. A few such names are Chris Evert, who won in 1970, and Tracy Austin, who won in 1978.
“We got some pretty good money from Senator Justice to offer some pretty nice cash prizes this year,” Webb said.
The event is scheduled for September at Schoenbaum Tennis Courts in Kanawha City, and Webb hopes to have a full field of 64 of the best high school, college and pro players from five states.
Marshall University and West Virginia University players already have committed to play, and Webb said other Division I and Division II players from West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia have expressed interest in playing.
“With college NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) rules, we can award cash prizes to college players,” Webb said. “And with this $10,000 donation, we can bring in better quality players.
“It’s all just very exciting.”
Webb came up with the idea for Thunder in the Mountains in 2019 when he happened to find WVU and Marshall’s tennis teams playing each other in a tournament in Charleston. An avid tennis player and longtime fan, Webb was surprised because of the lack of attention the matchup received.
“Any time Marshall and WVU are playing each other, it’s a big deal,” Webb said. “And it should be a big deal.”
So, he hatched the idea for Thunder in the Mountains. The 2020 event was canceled because of COVID-19, but the tournament took place annually started in 2021. It always has included WVU and Marshall as well as other college teams.
The format was changed in 2024 to make it a women’s singles tournament, and $5,000 in prizes were awarded. Marshall player Emma Vanderheyden won the 2024 event.
“We are doubling the prizes to $10,000 this year,” Webb said. “We are expecting the full array of 64 players this year.
“Marshall and WVU already have committed to send all of their players, and we are working hard to get the University of Charleston and West Virginia State to participate as well. And, we are working with some other schools in Ohio, Virginia and others in West Virginia.
“I think this year’s event is going to be the best yet.”