Unit 143 Recognizes Donna Coker
for contributions to Bridge in Unit 143, St. Louis Bridge
As you probably have heard, Donna Coker has decided to stop directing club
games and to spend her time as an ACBL tournament director. She plans on moving
to Louisville, Kentucky to be near her family as soon as she sells her condo.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to Donna for her many contributions to
bridge in St. Louis. She took the lead in establishing a very successful Thursday
novice game that has grown from a small 49er game to a 99er game and finally to a very large 199er game. She was recognized nationally by the ACBL as a STAR
recruiter for bringing in more than 200 new ACBL members, and she also serves as a
member of the ACBL Goodwill Committee.
Donna has been a bridge pioneer. She has introduced many new ideas and
concepts to our bridge community. She was the first director to use bridge pads, pre-duplicated
boards, and hand records. All of these are very popular with players. She
started the first PRO/AM mentoring program and tournament in St. Louis. Beyond
the novice arena, Donna proposed the concept of an Eight is Enough Swiss team
event to the Unit 143 board when they wanted to start a Monthly Sunday Unit Game.
Then, she took over the game and successfully ran it. Donna also established three
very successful open club games, including the first Fast Pairs game in the area. And,
while still doing all of this, Donna went on to become an ACBL tournament director.
Donna, in recognition for all your ground-breaking work, Unit 143 would like to
present you with this small token of our appreciation and gratitude, a small Orrefors
crystal bowl.
Thank you, Donna. We’re going to miss you, but certainly wish you the best of
luck going forward!
Unit 143 Tribute
Presented by Debbie Romero, Unit 143 President
St. Louis Winter Sectional January 18, 2013