Addvantage 2000 February

IJI

A/Jllvanta~e

tnt magazine

uspta.

contents

for men and women tennis-teaching professionals

the total professional - enhancing your career

departments 2 Executive Committee 3 CEO's message

9

The Superman myth

5 Vice president's message

by Glen Howe, USPTA - Sometimes we need to reach out for help and for those of us with the Superman mentality that can be a hard realization.

15 USPTA drill 22 Tennis tips 29 USPTA welcomes new members 30 Career development 31 Industry action

11

Growth of wheelchair tennis leads to new opportunities in coaching, certification

32 Classifieds

news 4 USPTA seeks nominations for national board 4 Tennis industry contacts update 7 The Super Show®/2000 remains super 14 Achieve peak performance in business and life

21 Division president hopes to grow tennis with grassroots platform

26 ATP Tour/Cartoon Network SMASH tennis - 2000 schedule

volume 24 • issue 2 ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone - (7 13) 978-7782 (800) USPTA-4U Fax- (7 13) 978-7780 e-ma il - magazine@uspta.org

Editor Managing editor

Shawna Riley Julie Myers

Circulation

Kathy Buchanan

Adve rtis ing

Diane Ri chbourg

Office hours: 8:30a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the Un ited States Profess io nal Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in AOOvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvontage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2000. All rights reserved .

Reproduction of any portion of the magazi ne is not permitted without written permission from US PTA. ADDvantage/February 2000

Executive Committee National Board of Directors

Division presidents and regional vice presidents

Joseph Thompson President

(303) 278-1130

California Division Pam Austin President

(626) 854-2360

(610) 647-9622

Mark McMahon First vice president

NickGetz Regional vice president

Tom Sweitzer Regional vice president

(770) 392-7788

(31 0) 686-4122

(7 17) 533-5995

TomDaglis Vice president

(770) 784-5790

Eastern Division Bob Bynum President

Midwest Division Mike Lange President

(908) 233-4404

(630) 978-6746

Harry Gilbert Vice president

Steve Diamond Regional vice president

LeeAnnReed Regional vice president

(904) 437-2427

(973) 822-1900

(219) 432-0502

David T. Porter, Ed.D. Vice president

(808) 293-3755

Florida Division Kevin McCarthy President

Ron Woods Vice president

Frank Swope First vice president

(361) 99 1-7561

(561) 482-0110

Missouri Valley Division Kim Sunderland President (918) 341-6964 Russell Warner Regional vice president (918) 299-2643

Randy Mattingley Secretary-treasurer

Hawaii Division RandyKop President (808) 734-2151, ext. 238 Bruce Nagel Regional vice president (808) 262-2057

New England Division Bob Greene Presidem (207) 864-2540 Becky Wendler Regional vice president (508) 358-7355

Intermountain Division Warren Pretorius President (435) 6 15-5426 Judy Courtney Regional vice president (303) 670-3417

Northern California Division Michael Friedman President (209) 830-1410 Ken DeHart Regional vice president (408) 267-7668

(954) 344-1840

(806) 762-3430 WillHoag Immediate past president

(954) 564-7386

Past presidents Kurt Kamperman (1997)

(843)686-3 036 Kathy Woods ( 1996) (203) 226-8259z Gordon Collins (1994)

(408) 395-7111

Mid-Atlantic Division Tom Hawkins President

(703) 556-6550 Patrick Kearns Regional vice president

(804) 245-0670

2

ADDvantage/ February 2000

Middle States Division Mark Townsend President

Northwest Division Pam Kearney President (612) 473-2540, ext. 207

Chris Combs Regional vice president

(615) 426-1308 Pacific Northwest Division Shelly Stockman President (425) 822-4540 Barry Sterett Regional vice president (541) 343-5905 San Diego Division Kim Funk President (760) 753-7266 Ben Pigorsch Regional vice president (619) 275-3270 Southern Division Tommy Wade President

(205) 879-4611 Reedy Toney Regional vice president

(423) 245-0826 Southwest Division Dick Johnson President

(505) 821-4860 Ruth Ann Gardner Regional vice president

(602) 589-2813 Texas Division Gerry Maingot President (361) 643-6057 Paul Christian Regional vice president (713) 774-2571

~ EE>'s messa§e---~_______, 'Pro' vs. 'professional'?

In the end, you must earn your • reputat1on

F

ollowing my recent editorial about an exciting and critical new field that will always help me provide more and better services to the memUSPTA's use of computer technology, I was happy to receive a comment via e-mail from bers for whom I work. a member that inspired this month's message. In I also understood his concern because there's alfact, I felt this topic would create an even greater ways one word or another that, even when used as innocently as I used "nerds," will upset someone. I response since among our members there are at least two distinct points of view. wrote him a rather lengthy reply explaining that durWhile the member who wrote to me amply ing all my 30 years as a tennis teacher I've often discomplimented my editorial's genercussed similar concerns over the term "pro" vs. "professional" to describe al content, he was concerned about my use of the term "nerds" to deUSPTA members. scribe people in the computer techYou'd be surprised how many peonology industry who had the foreple complain when "pro" is used in a sight to see the advantages of using letter or magazine article. They justitechnology to pursue their personfY their complaint by saying we, as al career goals. He felt that this segtennis teachers, should see ourselves ment of the job force should not as "professionals" rather than "pros" have their job title demeaned and since the public has sometimes pershould be referred to as "Informaceived the word "pro" with a derogation Technology Professionals." tory connotation.

I sympathized with this memIn reality, there are two schools of Tim Heckler ber's concern because I know the use thought on the use of "pro" vs. "proof abbreviated or "slang" words to fessional": describe various professions is often objectionable 1. The first argument is that a "professional" is ofto those who strive to enhance their professions. I tentimes viewed by the public as someone who was also pleased that he was inspired to write me. has a higher business and social status than a "pro."

I told him that our members would be surprised how hard it sometimes is to write a monthly edi2. The counter argument might be that when the torial that offers both entertaining and useful inword "pro" is used on TV or in news articles, it is formation and then never hear from anyone bemost often associated with playing "professioncause they either totally agree with it or were not als" in various sports. This use of the term usuinterested enough to even read it. Every once in a ally refers to the top players in a particular sport. while, I receive a comment about an article, and it In today's more relaxed society, the word "pro" is makes working a little harder that much more reused many times to create a more personal and fawarding. miliar feeling, which is sometimes preferred over the I had used the word "nerds" innocently and with more formal and stiff use of "professional." great respect since I consider myself to be one of I do agree that the use of the word "pro" vs. the biggest computer "nerds" of all. And, I am ex"professional" is not quite the same parallel as that tremely proud, as he justifiably is, of delving into

... it is not the word that determines the professional caliber of a person, but his actions within the tennis community and his dedication to his job.

See Professional, Page 4

ADDvantage/ February 2000

3

Professional fro m Page 3

between "nerd" and "information technology professional," but I assured him it was not intended any differently.

When I was a new tennis teacher, I strongly advocated the use of the more elite word "professional." I was offended and corrected anyone who dared call me a "pro."

Interestingly, as the years passed, I gained self-confidence in my ability to both develop players and offer my dub members the best tennis programming and services. And, I began to relax my attitude toward the use of words that described my career.

In fact, after many years of working to increase the benefits and services to our members, only one of which is to promote the public image ofUSPTA professionals, I've privately argued with dose friends that it is not the word that determines the professional caliber of a person, but his actions within the tennis community and his dedication to his job.

Even if we all agreed that it was better to only use the word "professional," my

recent argument has been that you can spend $1 million on advertising and never convince the public that some "professionals" are not "pros. " Conversely, some teachers are so well respected that you would not be able to convince anyone that some "pros" are not "professionals." In the long run, respect is something you must earnit can't be purchased or merchandised.

I firmly believe US PTA members have, through their educational efforts and devotion to the growth of our game, earned the respect of the public regardless of what we are called. However, my arguments in no way imply that my jury is in on this topic.

I fully endorse any effort that promotes our image, and I always seek to be more sensitive on issues that are important to you.

It is often a lonely world for a writer unless he or she can inspire a response to the messages that are intended to offer important information. I urge you to keep me informed of any issues and interests that are meaningful to you. 'f>'>

USPTA seeks nominations for national board The National Nominating Committee is accepting applications from members who are interested and available to serve on the national USPTA Board of Directors for 2000-2001. Applicants must submit a resume and a 250- to 500-word essay outlining their opinions on the goals and directions ofUSPTA. These materials should be postmarked no later than Feb. 15, and sent to: Greg Aten 361 Lake of the Woods Akron, Ohio 44333

Tennis industry contacts update ADDvantage has been advised of the following changes to listings that appeared in the December 1999 issue.

Please update your contact information with the information in bold type.

Peter Burwash International

ONE TOUGH

pbihq@pbitennis.com.

Just ask anyone who owns one.

National High School Tennis Coaches

Association scottenge@aol.com

1.800.776.6770 www.playmatetennismachines.com

~~

Š 1999 Metaltek. All rights reserved.

4

ADDvantage/ February 2000

PLAYMATE Tennis Machines by META.LTEK

United States Racquet Stringers Association

Patrick Curry, President

A

Vi<:e J3resiaeAt's messaยง

usptao

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Tennis time management equals success for game

A

s teaching professionals, we are living in a will appeal to today's sports enthusiast. People great time for tennis. Look at the success love to play games and particularly those that have of our present day American players, the some physical component. Health and fitness is a major concern in today's society. Tennis is one hype and promotion of tournaments, and the involvement of all in the industry to increase play. There are of the best games one can play that incorporates both mental and physical output. But one of the super tennis stars and role models for our players going into the new millennium, and the media and addrawbacks to tennis at the competitive and recvertisers are going to really take adreational league level is the fact that vantage of this through news and a match cannot be played in a specmarketing. ified time limit as in other sports.

Are we losing players to more timeThe USTA has taken a bold step managed sports and health clubs by using its funds to "grow the game." where the participants have control This growing of the game has encounover the amount of time and effort tered a few bumps along the way, but they wish to expend? everybody experiences growing pains.

With growth comes J?ew ideas and Major tournaments are using a ways to get players into tennis and carnival atmosphere to attract fans now we need new ideas and ways to to those events. USPTA Little Tenkeep them playing. Tennis has to be nis , USTA Kids Day, Nike Sports fon to keep players involved.

Courts and Wilson's peeWee Tennis Ron Woods All sports have changed over the components lure the youngsters and oldsters alike to participate in activities years. Basketball introduced the 24other than viewing play. Vendor booths, food second shot clock and 3-point basket. Football has inbooths and beverage booths are also incorporattroduced tiebreakers to determine the winner of tied ed to provide entertainment other than watching contests. Soccer and ice hockey have initiated the "shoot tennis. It is difficult for most fans to sit through outs" to determine a winner if the score is tied. Almost an entire three- or five-set match. Jimmy Conall professional and recreational sports have time limits with the exception of tennis, golf and baseball. Golf nors' Nuveen Tour and the senior divisions at the U.S . Open play a tiebreaker for the third set to polices itself with course marshals who keep play movdetermine a winner. These are very popular venues. ing at a steady pace and one can usually play through a Collegiate tennis has already recognized the fact slow group so no one is holding up play. Even the PGA Tour requires that touring pros make their shots in a that matches take too long by having the doubles play an eight game pro set. Discussion is under way reasonable amount of time (45 seconds from the time they reach and identify their ball). to try and control play so the outcome is determined by most ali matches finishing at the same time and Is this one of the reasons there is more partichopefully the fans will stay to the end, allowing teams ipation in other sports and activities than in tenreasonable travel schedules. One of the most popunis? Does the modern-day sports enthusiast look lar collegiate events was the World Team Tennis forfor activities that have controlled time elements mat (which consists of one-set matches) used in the so they can plan their day, week or weekend? Is Wingspan Bank. com/WIT National Collegiate Tenour game going to stay at No. 26 in participation nis Championships at Stanford University for co-ed when at one time we were No. 8? team play. It was such a huge success with players Most recreational league sports, even baseball and fans that it will be played again next year. and softball, are generally regulated by time. This is As tennis professionals, we have all run mixers, done to efficiently manage facilities and costs of socials, fun tournaments or whatever you wish running those facilities. to call them for our members and customers.

Tennis needs some sort of scoring system that

See Managenment, Page 6

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President

Joseph Thompson

First Vice President

Mark McMahon

~ce Presidents

David 1 Porter. Ed .D. Ron Woods Harry Gilbert

TomDaglis Secretary-treasurer

Randy Mattingley

Past President

Will Hoag

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

Tim Heckler Rich Fanning

Director of Operations

Executive Assistant

Marty Bostrom

Director of Communications

Shawna Ri ley

Publications Coordinator Public Relations

Julie Myers Diane Richbourg

Coordinator Shannon Kopp

Communications

Director of Professional Development Educational Administrator

Corporate Services Administrator

Fred Viancos

Thelma Holmes Janice Stollenwerck

Computer Services/ Club Relations

Kathy Buchanan

Computer Services/ Data Entry

Sylvia Flores

Computer Systems Administrator

Quincy Kwok

Divisional Executive Administ rator

Yvonne Hung

Membership and Certification Coordinator Membership/ Education Assistant Payroll/Benefits

Controller

Vicky Tristan Joyce Saberola Renee Heckler

Theresa Weatherford

Ellen Weatherford Insurance/ Merchandise Services

LEGAL COUNSEL Attorney-at -law

Paul Waldman

For information, write the USPTA World Heodquorters 35 35 Briarpork Drive, Suite On e Houston, TX 77042 Phone (7 13) 97-USPTA (800) USPTA-4 U Fox (71 3) 978-7780 e-mail - uspto@uspto.org Internet - www.uspto.org Office hours: 8:30a.m. - 5 p.m.

Centra l time

ADDva ntage/ February 2000

5

Management from Page 5

Most of these events are either time controlled or score controlled so they are finished in a certain time frame. These events are probably the most popular since they can be done in a day or half-day. My most popular events are round robins with a set number of games played in each match and oneday tournaments.

Are we losing players in tournaments and now in league play because of the time element involved in participating in these events? Players are being brought into the game, but are we keeping them?

The USTA has recognized that time management might be a problem with the modern tennis competitor and .is trying to bolster this segment of the game with some rule changes that will allow the tournament directors and league coordinators som-e latitude in managing play. The directors of these events can now select two different types of tiebreakers to determine a third set to keep tournaments and league play running smoothly. The

match tiebreaker is the first to 10 points and ahead by 2 and the set tiebreaker is the first to 7 and ahead by 2. Either of these can be used in tournaments and league play, but must be published in the tournament or league information.

This of course will not appeal to the traditionalists or those who rely on physical endurance to try and win a match, but it should appeal to those interested in being able to plan for the events they enter. Is the health conscious and physically fit fast-paced person of today willing to sit aro und waiting on a match or open court during tournament or league play?

Perhaps we can get more people playing doubles in tourn aments instead of entering singles only to save oneself for a third set match (if it occurs).

Approximately 25 percent of all tennis matches played involve a third set. I have yet to be involved in a tournament where a match was finished in two sets and the players played a third set just for the fun of it because they felt they didn't get enough tennis.

The tiebreaker in tennis, as in other sports, is just an instrument

to determine a w1nner Ill a closely played or tied contest at the end of regulation play. Even with the third set tiebreaker, some tennis matches are still lasting for a couple of hours.

This is due in part to the Tencap and NTRP rating system, which is pairing up players of equal abilities, therefore producing longer points, more deuce games and longer sets.

Tennis needs some sort of scoring system that will appeal to today's sports enthusiast.

As professionals, we can take advantage of these new tiebreak rules by incorporating them in our teaching methods.

We can stress mental toughness and strategies to help our students through a pressure tiebreaker. We can now offer tournaments that can be better time managed for our players and

Take note T

he United States Professional Tennis Association would like to remind all teaching professsiGnals to start planning for Tennis Across America 2000. This marks the lOth anniversary of the program and USPTA would like to encourage everyone to help make this year's event an even greater success!

This program is one of the largest free grassroots tennis programs in the country.

USPTA first hosted the event in 1990 as a means to increase tennis participation. Tennis Across America has grown into TM

USPTA's

•••

a program with three segments that target a variety of consumer groups and endeavor to keep people playing the game of tennis long after the annual festivities. The segments include multicultural clinics, national public clinics and pleyer retention programs.

Be sure to look for the Tennis Across America kit in the March issue of ADDvantage. This kit will include promotional tips, press information, incentives, a color poster for promoting your event, a clinic outline and additional 19 -2 0 ideas for various activities.

ACROSS

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6

ADDvantage/ Fe bruary 2000

facilities by using tiebreakers in lieu of a third set. By having better time-managed tournaments, the players are less stressed, the tournament staff is less stressed and everyone has a better time and will likely play in the tournament again.

All the changes we have seen occur in tennis the past few years have been done to improve participation, bring in more fans and help make the game flow more smoothly.

Co nt roversy will surely surround any new concept of scoring for competitive play. Hopefully in the end, players will see the val ue in time management and accept new changes as was the 12-point tiebreaker when it was accepted at 6 games all in a set a few years back.

New ball types, equipment, clothing, shoes, court surfaces, teaching methods, line calling machines, different tournament formats, scoring innovations and vast tennis information over the Internet is here and now. What new ideas will we see in the coming years? It will be exciting as the growth of our game continues and the US PTA continues to grow as a leader ·in the tennis industry. <go..

The Super Show®/2000 •

rema1ns super

T

he sporrs wonderland of celebrities, business seminars, fashion shows, demonstrations and exhibitors will be on display for its 14'" year in Atlanta. The Super Show®/2000 will be held Feb. 10-13 at the Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Dome.

Fourteen years ago, Atlanta was chosen as the ideal location and most accessible city in the United States to host a trade show. A former USPTA member (Mike Keighley) was one of three men who developed the sports spectacle. The event started as just a tennis show and today has grown into a sporting goods business extravaganza. The first year of The Super Show (1986) featured only nine different shows and attracted 50,000 people.

This year some 100,000 attendees will view 23 different shows that cover 2.4 million square feet of floor space, including 3,000 manufacturers and 10,000 booths.

The Super Show remains super.

The USPTA booth can be found in The Tennis Show (2406B). A floor plan for The Super Show is on the back of this page.

The Super Show hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about The Super Show/2000 call (800) 327-3736.

USPTA will once again present its Career Development Workshop prior to The Super Show on Feb. 8-9 at the Georgia World Congress Center. There are four sessions over the two days: a Specialty Course each morning and a series of four seminars each afternoon. Members will have a chance to earn 2 USPTA Career Development credits each session.

Each session costs $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. The registration fee includes a pass to The Super Show.

To register for the USPTA courses or for more information, call the Education Department at (800) 877-8248 . ~

Education opportunities Tuesday, Feb. 8 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Specialty C ourse: Doubles strategy: phases and situations- Fei sal Hassan

1:30 p.m .-5:30 p.m.

How to succeed with your junior academy- Tim Noonan, David Stolle and Tom Daglis Tennis just for the fun of it- Greg Grover Drills for league players - Tom Daglis Racquet acceleration and control - Feisa l Hassan

Wednesday, Feb. 9 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.

Specialty Course: I bought a ball machine. Now what do I do? - Stan Oley (Free to all attendees courtesy of Playm ate) Training collegiate champions- Billy Pate Rules for retailing: 15 ideas to be more profitable in your pro shop - Mark McMahon Successful summer tennis camps- M.B. Chafin Speed, agility and quickness training for tennis Derek Ameel

The Super Shovv • The Active Wear Show

• The Licensed Sports Show

• The Bowling/Billiards Show

• The Marine Show

• The Casual Footwear Show

•

• The Cycling Show

• The Nutrition Show

• The E-Sports Show

• The Outdoor Show

• The Fitness Show • The Footwear Show • The Golf Show

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• The Team Sports Show

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• The Tennis Show • The Trading Cards Show

• The In-Line Skating Show

• The Trophies Show

• The Imprint Show

• The Urban Show

• The International Show

•

The Wintetwear Show

• The X-treme Show

ADDvantage/ February 2000

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THE SUPER SHOW ~ /2000

The Superman myth

by Glen M. Howe, USPTA

W

h en I was a little boy, I believed I was Superman.

One Halloween my mother made me a Superman costume that I loved so much I wore it long after Halloween night.

What fun it was to put on that familiar red and blue costume and fantasize about my super powers. No job was too big for Superman.

Years passed and I grew out of the costume, but the Superman mentality lingered. I thought I could accomplish anything if I worked hard enough and long enough. I could achieve all my goals - all on my own. You may be thinking, that's great, this guy believes in the American dream.

You can accomplish anything by working hard, and there is certainly nothing wrong in believing in yourself. True enough, but sometimes our own efforts are not enough.

Sometimes we need to reach out for help and for those of us with the Superman mentality that can be a hard realization. It certainly was for me.

I became a teaching pro in 1979 and enjoyed success after success through hard work.

As a general manager of small tennis clubs in Virginia and Maryland, I learned about the responsibility of decision making in business. I also learned the importance of delegating authority to a competent staff.

Ninety-hour work weeks were not uncommon, and my efforts enabled me to turn a losing operation into a moneymaking

one within six months.

A few years ago I opened my first indoor facility, a small one, consisting of a bubble over four clay courts. Looking back now, I recall that luck was entirely on my side. Everything fell into place. Permits were readily secured. Contractors showed up on time, and the weather was even benevolent.

As business boomed so did my confidence. The indoor faciliry was rolling along with a minimum of pitfalls. In fact, it seemed so easy that I thought, why not tackle a more ambitious venture?

And that's exactly what I did.

I jumped right in without doing the homework I should have done and without asking the questions I should have

asked. With the enormous success of contracts in the bubble project, I thought I could handle immediate expansion.

At that time, an executive vice president of a large corporation cautioned me about expanding too quickly. He told me I needed a detailed game plan before beginning my venture and advised me that meticulously planning before expansion would enable me to maintain control of the project.

My overconfidence caused me to ignore his advice. I say now, without reservation, that

it was a huge error in judgment on my part. Instead, I forged ahead - I launched a large $1.2 million facility, expanded our pro shop, directed the tennis program, and handled the account for a 150 percent increase in business.

I was busy, much too busy, rushing from one responsibility to another, blinded by my earlier success. I lost sight of the severity of problems developing around me. My most serious blunder was my misSee Superman, Page 10 ADDvantage/ February 2000

9

Superman from Page 9 judgment about involving someone in my business operation.

Suffice it to say that I have learned the hard way about examining every single facet of my business.

When I realized the extent of my naivete, I saw that my misjudgment had resulted in the loss of financial backing. I was literally surrounded with the myriad problems the experienced vice president had outlined. The most serious one is truly mindboggling whenever I think about it now. A contractor threatened to break my knees when I could not pay him on the date promised. He was not the least bit interested in my sad tale about losing my financial backing.

Another serious blunder was my failure to hire a general contractor to oversee construction of the larger indoor facility. Again, I have to blame my own overconfidence and misplaced trust on this error.

A savvy general contractor would have saved me from wasting my time chasing all over the county in pursuit of endless building permits. He would have guided the huge project that was clearly too formidable for me to direct.

Quite honestly, I was a babe in the woods when it carne to the political ins and outs and hidden rules of this game. In fact, I had no idea that such a game lay behind the scenes.

For example, at one point, I was told that I absolutely had to pay $8,000 to an agency for a particular permit. Would it surprise you to learn that the necessity for the costly permit somehow vanished when generous golf privileges were arranged for certain people?

10

ADDvantage/ February 2000

Yes, slowly, very slowly, I was learning about goings on I never dreamed existed before I tried to expand my business.

Before you question my intelligence and judge me too harshly, keep in mind I am a small town Southern boy at heart, raised to believe in straightforward rules of right and wrong. The hidden political game was emerging piece by piece, and as it did, I becarne alternately angry with my own naivete and with the unsavory game itself.

solutions that lay all around me.

My club's clientele and friends provided the support and answers. All I had to do was listen and accept their expertise.

In fact, they turned out to be the real super heroes. Two members who are bankers secured loans. Other members extended letters of credit and personally loaned me money.

Still others provided contacts to solve construction problems.

(I am especially thankful to the member in the construction business who saved my knee-

~

need to reach out for help sometimes and for those of us with the Superman mentality, that can be a hard realization.

I was more frustrated when I ran into a lengthy legal wrangle with a state agency that shut down my building project when it didn't get a "freebie" it obviously had co unted on. I would really like to spell out all the details of that particular hassle, but my desire to avoid further trouble wisely silences me. Suffice it to say that I lost $1,500 per day during the three weeks of suspended construction. The sanctions were lifted only when it became clear that the newspapers would learn of the entire story about what was going on.

For too long, as I struggled with the many problems plaguing me, I found myself yearning for the Superman powers of my boyhood fantasies. I stubbornly clung to the belief that I had to solve all my problems alone. Then, desperate and fatigued, I found myself on the brink of losing my business. My exhaustion was such that I was finally open to the

caps from disaster!) An attorney handled the endless legal concerns, two retired executives guided me through the corporate tangles, and a talented retired teacher, now a USPTA member of my staff, provides continuous motivation. A retired English teacher/writer oversees all my written correspondence and documents.

Even my wife, Supergirl, operates the pro shop and oversees the accounting.

The team of people who saved me taught me how to take the big problems and break them into smaller, more manageable ones by delegating the ones I couldn't handle to those who could and were willing to help.

When I think back over what I went through when I expanded my indoor facility, I sometimes shake my head at my own blunders in judgment.

Then I tell myself that the important thing is that I have emerged from my frustrating

business experience with a deeper understanding of myself and a calmer acceptance of my mistakes. I have also realized the value of doing one's homework and seeking the expertise of others.

I encourage anyone interested in starting a business to talk to owners of tennis clubs and listen carefully to their stories . Find out about the hidden games and how to play them because those games differ sharply from the one we know so well on the tennis court. Find the most qualified people you can to help you in your particular venture and follow their good advice.

I caution you especially about the Superman syndrome - thinking you can do it all.

Whenever I am now stressed by too many responsibilities my old Superman mentality sometimes creeps in, and I have to remind myselfl do not have to do it all alone. Help surrounds me. May I continue to have the sense to accept it with grace. 'ยงJo

Glen Howe, USPTA, is the director oftennis at Hercules Country Club in Wilmington, Del., and is the owner and operator ofWilmington Indoor Tennis. Howe was the USPTA Middle States Pro ofthe Year in

1997.

Growth of wheelchair tennis leads to new â&#x20AC;˘ coaching, certification opportunities 1n

O

n January 17, 1976, 18-yearold Brad Parks of the University of Utah was taking his first warm-up jump in a local competitive freestyle snow ski competition. At the end of the jump, young Parks was a paraplegic.

Although devastating to this young athlete, little did he realize that a new lifestyle and sport - wheelchair tennis - was in his future, and that his initiative and foresight would be the direct cause and contributor to recruiting thousands of young men and women worldwide to this great sport.

In December 1979, Parks formed the organizing body of the sport - the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis.

In 1980, more than 300 players were actively participating in the sport. In the same year, the first inaugural Wheelchair National Championships were held in Southern California.

The World Team Cup, a similar competition to Davis Cup, was established in 1985. The symbol of international wheel-¡ chair tennis supremacy, this competition has grown to more than 60 countries. In addition, the International Tennis Federation has taken wheelchair tennis under its wing, and hundreds of national and international tournaments take place each year.

In the 1990s USPTA got more involved in wheelchair tennis with presentations at national conventions in Boca Raton, Palm Springs and Miami. In early 1998, USPTA began to work closely with Bal Moore, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional, to formulate a wheelchair tennis certification. In 1999, 24 people in the United States became certified as USPTA wheelchair tennis teachers.

Recently, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, a service organization whose members have catastrophic paralysis caused by spinal cord injury or disease, committed funds to the certification effort in 2000 to increase the number of

certified wheelchair tennis teachers. These funds are to be used to send US PTA testers who are certified to administer the wheelchair certification exam to the various USPTA divisions.

"What better way could there possibly be to promote wheelchair tennis participation than through USPTA's nerwork of tennis teaching professionals at the grassroots level around the world," said Bruce Scott, recreation director for the PVA. "PVA realizes the need for quality wheelchair teaching professionals and has worked closely with USPTA in this effort."

USPTA members who participate in the program will receive the marketable skill of wheelchair tennis certification, enabling them to assist with the growth

of the sport. The daylong certification includes a Certification Training Course, and a private lesson and written exam.

Current USPTA members need only pay a fee for the certification; there are no additional annual dues.

"USPTA is proud to partner with the PVA to expand the wheelchair certification program. The need for quality wheelchair teaching professionals is increasing as the sport of wheelchair tennis becomes more popular," said Tim Heckler, USPTA

CEO. USPTA is committed to quality teaching and understands the need to fill the void in this new certification area. This program offers professionals an additional opportunity for instruction within their respective programs, and encourages the growth of wheelchair tennis. 4{)u

As wheelchair tennis becomes more popular, more certified pros will be needed to teach it.

AD Dvantage/ February 2000

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Achieve peak performance â&#x20AC;˘ 1n business and life

B

usinesspeople can use the same principles used by athletes to win in today's stress-filled, competitive and demanding jobs. The Corporate

Athlete: How to Achieve Peak Performance in Business and Life, a new book by USPTA Master Professional Jack Groppel, Ph.D., along with Bob Andelman, is for anyone, corporate or otherwise, looking to improve performance and add balance to an otherwise stressful and hectic work life.

Groppel writes, "Executives and employees in the new millennium can protect their health and happiness and continue to perform at high levels only by doing what athletes do - train. You must become a Corporate Athlete, which means adapting the training mentality of elite, high-performance athletes."

The book examines the challenges that executives face every minute of every day, and offers guidelines on nutrition, exercise, mental training and "spiritual fitness" designed to increase productivity, even under extraordinary circumstances.

Tips for the nutritionally challenged businessperson include what to eat on the road, in the air or in a foreign country; which foods to eat to improve alertness and avoid a mid-day meal hangover; and how to fortifY a diet with vitamins, supplements or herbs. The fitness foc us is on interval training, and includes a conditioning program to develop strong muscles that can shift from high-stress situations to relatively sedentary moments and back again. A chapter on spiritual fitness shows how even values and ethics affect performance at work.

T his program is hardly "a quick fix, " but does provide tangible short- and longterm guidelines. The book concludes with a detailed 21 -day, step-by-step program, complete with daily journals that allow readers to track their progress and see results.

The pages of The Corporate Athlete are filled with real-life examples of executives at corporate heavyweights such as Merrill Lynch, Estee Lauder, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Bristol Myers Squibb and Mor-

Phoenix, Arizona 14

ADDvantage/ February 2000

gan Stanley Dean Witter to illustrate how even the busiest executives can fit this program into their already crowded workdays.

Jack Groppel is the executive vice president of LGE Performance Systems. He is an instruction editor for Tennis magazine, and is the author of High- Tech Tennis and co-author of The Science of Coaching Tennis. Groppel has more than 25 years experience of helping world-class athletes enhance their competitive edge and reach their full performance potential.

Tennis pros Jim Courier and Monica Seles; golfers Ernie Els and Mark O 'Meara; Olympic gold medallist Dan Jansen; hockey greats Eric Lindros and Mike Richter along with other top amateur and professional athletes fine-tune their training regimens at LGE Performance Systems in Orlando.

To order The Corporate Athlete call (800) 543-7764 or visit www.corporate athlete.com. '8'e

Advanced

Weapon drill

Purpose: To develop confidence in the forehand.

Description: 1. Instructor feeds all balls into two-thirds of the court.

2. The student takes all balls on the forehand side, running around middle balls to be totally aggressive.

3. Instructor feeds 15-20 balls.

This drill is not designed to fatigue the student, but to build confidence.

Options: Instructor can feed from behind the baseline or in the alley.

s

ADDvantage/ February 2000

15

â&#x20AC;˘

Ho1n1 to coach 1n a losing cause

by Tom Nelson, USPTA

When your player has drawn the No. 1 seed in the first round, what do you say to prepare her to go out and play a match that you both know she has virtually no chance ofwinning?

ADDvantage/ February 2000

17

A

s coaches, nearly all of us have faced a situation where our player's chances of winning a particular tennis match were as remote as winning the state lottery. Your college or high school player was facing an opponent that was obviously far superior, and losing the match seemed inevitable. Most of us have been in that situation ourselves as players and know the feeling of helplessness he is experiencing. How do you coach your player in that situation? He knows as well as you do that there is little hope that he will be able to prevail in the match. Telling him that he can win only damages your credibility, and he will think that you are either lying to him or you are just plain stupid.

In a similar scenario, perhaps you are a teaching pro who works with tournament juniors. You are working with a player who has some potential, and you have entered her in a USTA age group tournament to gain match experience. You arrive at the tournament site to find that your player has drawn the No. 1 seed in the first round. You can see_the look of disappointment and apprehension on her face.

You won't be able to do any coaching during the match.

What do you say to this player to prepare her to go out and play a match that you both know she has virtually no chance of winning?

Whether it is in a high school match or the early rounds of an age-group tournament, tennis is full of mismatches. When the player that you coach is on the short end of one of these situations, among the responses that you might see would be frustration, anger, resignation and consequently below-normal playing

18

ADDvantage/ February 2000

It is important to convey an unwavering confidence in your student's ability to achieve the goals discussed prior to competing in a difficult match.

performance. He exhibits negative body language and may even begin quitting on balls.

His mental state will prevent him from deriving the benefits of competing against a higherlevel player. The response that you would rather see in the player would be for him to present a positive appearance on the court, stay focused and play as well as he is capable. If he is successful in doing this, he will gain more respect from his opponent and leave the court after the match feeling good about himself, knowing that he gave his best effort.

How you, the expert in whom the player has placed his trust, present your advice to him is as important as the advice itself You must convey an unwavering confidence in his ability to achieve the goals that

you have both discussed. If you joke about getting "blown out," how can you expect your player to be in the proper mental state to give his best effort? Additionally, most young players need to be continually reminded that if they want to be the best, they have to occasionally test themselves against the best.

Don't take it for granted that they automatically know this.

It is in "lost cause" situations that coaching for performance goals, instead of outcome goals, becomes particularly important. Your player must concentrate on the things he can control, such as improving first serve percentage or reducing unforced errors, and let go of things he can't control, like his opponent's downthe-line backhand winners.

However, you can't just coach

for performance goals in matches where winning seems impossible. Your student will see that as a rationalization. You must coach that outcome goals (winning matches, tournaments) are always secondary to improving performance; then the idea of playing well in a losing effort becomes an easier sell.

Having established performance goals for the match with your player, what other coaching points can you use to ensure that he will play his best?

First, suggest that he play his normal game. Remind him that the reason it is his normal game is because it is what he does best. Any other way of playing, particularly against a far superior opponent, is probably not going to work better.

If his normal sryle is not work-

• Develop performance goals • Play your normal game • Try for every ball • Control outward signs of anger and frustration

ing and he has a proven variation that he thinks will work better, then by all means, let him try it. However, caution him that changing to a style of play that he is uncomfortable with, simply for the sake of change, will only cause him to play worse.

For example, many times I have seen confirmed baseliners start rushing the net on every point because their normal game plan wasn't working.

Lacking volley skills and unaccustomed to being at the net, they simply made the match easier for their opponent.

Another thing to watch for when you are coaching in this situation is the player's attempts to "play above his head." Finding the "zone" doesn't usually come about through conscious effort. It occurs in a relaxed state of confidence. When the player tries shots that he doesn't own, he usually succeeds only in losing faster. Keep in mind that I am defining a "losing cause" as one in which the player lacks the weapons and/ or experience to make the match seriously competitive. If you feel that your player possesses the skills to possibly win the match, then it no longer falls into the "losing cause" category. Perhaps, instead, your player is simply the underdog with the potential to pull off an upset.

Encourage your player to try for every ball. This sounds obvious, bur when faced with an onslaught of seemingly untouchable winners, it is only natural for the player to begin giving up on balls. However, stress that quitting on balls only gives your opponent more confidence in his shots. Getting a few of your opponent's good shots back can make him try higher risk shots and perhaps make more errors. Also, it is only by trying for every ball that

your player will learn to hit the shots of greater difficulty that he needs to reach a higher level of competency.

Finally, try to teach your player to control the outward signs of anger and frustration.

Point our that losing his temper or showing negative body language on court only contributes to poor play. Remind him to present the kind of confident, positive image that he wants people to see, and he will leave the court feeling much better about himself.

surprised if he doesn't knowhis understanding of tactics may not be as highly developed as yours. Don't bring up choking, but look for signs such as sluggish footwork, muscle tension that restricts the followthrough or over-hitting. Suggestions that you might use if you suspect choking would be getting in better position for each shot, better visual concentration on the ball and a conscious effort to follow through on each shot. Sometimes taking deep breaths between

It is in â&#x20AC;˘lost cause' situations that coaching for performance goals, instead of outcome goals, becomes particularly important.

Once in a while, a hopelessly over-matched player will jump into the lead, causing coaches, fans and parents to get excited about the possibility of a big upset. Usually, this comes about when the favored player takes his opponent too lightly and gets careless in his execution or has difficulty concentrating. Certainly, when this occurs an upset could happen, but it usually doesn't. Most of the time, the better player "wakes up" and turns the match around with his superior skills.

At the same time, the underdog begins to lose the feeling that he "has nothing to lose" and begins to think about the huge upset that he might pull off.

If you are coaching the underdog, yo u must impress upon him the importance of sticking with the tactics that got him to that point in the match.

Tell him (or ask him) what he's doing that is working. Don't be

points can help reduce excessive muscle tension.

Above all, don't appear overly excited by the prospect of the big upset. Your player will sense your anticipation and tighten up. If the upset doesn't happen, yo u would like it to be because the better player raised the level of his game and not because your player "fell apart."

One of the most difficult psychological challenges that we often face is overcoming the mystique that surrounds the better player. In reality, players often overtake a rival that once seemed unbeatable to them. Sometimes this dramatic shift takes place in a relatively short time, occasionally in a year or less. However, the rapidly improving player may not realize how narrow the gap between him and his nemesis has become. Relating specific examples of surprising successes from your own playing and

coaching experience may help the player break through the aura of invincibiliry that he perceives in certain opponents.

Sometimes, convincing your player that he has nothing to lose in a match against a heavily favored opponent will ease his tension enough to yield surprisingly favorable results.

Of course, good preparation is ultimately the best insurance for playing one's best. There is no substitute for hard work on the practice court. If your player has put in the time developing the shots that he will need to execute his game plan, then he will naturally be more confident.

Getting your player to have the confidence and discipline to play up to his potential in those "losing cause" matches is a true challenge for the tennis professional. Although some people might disregard these matches as just "earlyround blow-outs" you know that they are the stepping stones that pave the way for future successes. If you do your job well, your player will have derived the maximum benefits from the challenge of competing against a superior opponent, and feel that there's no disgrace in a loss in which he gave his best effort. ~

Tom Nelson, a 24-year USPTA member, is the teaching professional at the Olympic Tennis Club in Columbus, Ohio.

ADDvantage/ February 2000

19

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Division president hopes to grovv tennis vvith grassroots platfor111

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f you need something done, give it to a busy man.

Bob Bynum, US PTA Eastern Division president, is a busy man in the best sense of the expression. Bynum's whole lifestyle now evolves around tennis after being "forced," in a sense, to get out on the courts.

"My high schoo l music teacher was also the tennis teacher and he acrually forced me .out there to play tennis. I got hooked on it and it was something nobody else in my community was doing," said Bynum.

Bynum started his 25-year teaching stint at the ~ge of 16.

He started teaching tennis lessons in his local county recreation program after playing for only two years . ''After only two years of playing experience I didn't have much information to give, but I enjoyed the challenge of teaching individuals," he said.

He has taught in both urban and suburban, municipal programs, and is the camp director for Bob Bynum's Match Touch Tennis Camp in Edison,

N.J. Our of his love for competitive tennis he still finds time to compete in several tournaments throughout the year.

As the USPTA Eastern Division president, Bynum looks to start right away in developing programs and involving more volunteers. One area he has improved is the restructuring of the Eastern D ivision.

"I suggested this change in order to bring more of our members into the fold as far as helping to initiate programs within each region," said Bynum.

The changes Bynum made started by dividing the division into regions and breaking the regions into districts.

"This gives the members who are interested a way to perhaps gain access to our board in the future by getting involved now at the local level as district delegates," stated Bynum.

He strongly believes that the USPTA needs to involve more pros at the grassroots level and encourage them to push harder to get more people interested in order to grow the game.

USPTA endorsees

Bob Bynum - at a glance ...

USPTA Eastern Division president ATA member Co-head professional at Mountainside Indoor Tennis Center in Mountainside, N .J. Owner/ partner of JKS Sports Inc. Director of Bob Bynum 's Match Touch Tennis Camp in Edison , N.J. Tennis coordinator for the City of East Orange, N .J .

Coach of the Central Jersey USTA/ Junior Team Tennis Coach of the City of Newark's United States Youth Games tenn is team Member of the Wilson Advisory Staff Bynum is the first AfricanAmerican president of a division and is the chairman of the Multicultural Committee, the goals of which are to reach potential players who have special needs, such as inner-city and minority children, senior citizens and handicapped children and adults.

Bynum says his position as the Eastern D ivision president makes him more aware ofhis responsibility. ''I'm a tennis-teaching pro-

fessional. I don't consider myself as a multicultural tennisteaching professional and I look forward to maintaining that position while running the division," he said. He hopes the public views him as a professional, and he wants to do a good job for everyone, not just those in the multicultural commumry.

This article was written from an interview by-USPTA member Marvin Dent.

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ADDvantage/ February 2000

21

Teaching pros share tennis tips Play â&#x20AC;˘tag' with the ball How often do you put all of the energy and speed you have left into running for that @#%& drop shot that your opponent hit only to miss the shot once you get there? As we always say, why run all that way to miss? Well, the vast majority of mistakes made in this situation are due to over swinging. To correct this problem, we teach students to "play tag" with the ball. As soon as you read the drop shot or short ball off of your opponent's racquet (anticipation is more important with this shot than any other), cock your racquet to the appropriate side - forehand or backhand out in front of your body. This is what is so foreign for most players because you are taught from early on in your tennis career to immediately bring the racquet back before you do anything else. This is the one instance where that rule is incorrect. By taking your racquet back as you move toward a drop shot, you are drastically increasing the difficulty and losing your control over the shot.

Instead of drawing the racquet back, keep the racquet in front of your body as you run forward. As you approach the ball, imagine you are playing "tag" with the ball. In other words, your racquet should be the first rhing that reaches the ball. Remember, the true challenge of any shot on the run is keeping your upper body and racquet under control while your lower body moves frantically to get in position for the shot. The easiest way to do this is to simplifY your swing. If you lead with your racquet instead ofyour body, several good things happen: the stroke is more compact and therefore more under control, and it is easier to disguise your shot to your opponent because you need only turn the racquet face slightly to place the ball in several different spots. From this position, you can comfortably hit drop shots crosscourt or straight ahead, nudge the ball up the line and pop it over your opponent's head if they charge in after their shot.

Travis J. Cardwell, US PTA Islamorada, Fla.

Strong enough for a man but- a follow-through?

Be rude to the tennis ball!

This teaching tip may not be one of the most pleasant sounding but it is definitely one of the most effective, and memorable, ways to get a player to follow-through properly. I will tell the student to smell their armpit on the follow-through . I explain to them that from now on they had better not forget to wear their deodorant before tennis class.

This not only results in instant success on the follow-through, but also is a guaranteed laugh. I have found that all of my students find this extremely humorous as well as effective, and it is a tip that they will never forget!

If this tip seems a bit too much, it can be altered by asking the students to kiss their biceps instead of the former suggestion, but this has not proven to be as memorable for the students.

Mark Ficks. USPTA Kalamazoo , Mich.

You probably grew up hearing your parent's wise advice of "Don't point at people!

It's rude!" While they were correct in their teaching of manners, I bet they forgot to tell you the proper etiquette for dealing with a tennis ball. In fact, pointing at a tennis ball is one of the best things that you can do when executing certain shots in tennis.

There are three shots that can benefit the most from "being rude" to the ball. Those shots are the serve, overhead and forehand groundstroke. In each shoulder turn, torso rotation, power and spin.

Another benefit of pointing at the ball is balance. If you have the racquet arm raised in a backswing position with the non -racquet hand limp at your side, the body is not in balance. Balance is extremely important in tennis and all sports.

Practice being "rude" to the ball, and your game will see significant improvement!

Mark Ficks, USPTA

22

ADDvantage/ February 2000

Exhale and accelerate If you're looking for a little more pace and depth on your groundstrokes and serve or if you suffer from "nerves" in a match situation, use the expression "exhale and accelerate" to loosen up. In other words, exhale as you begin moving your racquet forward to strike the ball and imagine accelerating your racquet head from contact point to finish (followthrough). This promotes three good habits during the stroke: 1. Breathing through the shot means that you are avoiding the tendency to hold your breath, which can lead to an overall "tightness" of the muscles.

2. It relaxes the entire body which allows for more racquet head speed through contact which creates power.

3 . Breathing during the point along with deep breaths in between points is the best way to combat the nerves or "butterflies" we all feel under pressure.

If this feels awkward at first, imagine saying a word as you strike the ball. We like to use something positive such as "yes! " Secondly, try to accelerate the racquet head from the contact point forward toward your target and finally over your shoulder. You will be amazed at how much more pace, depth and spin you can generate by staying relaxed and allowing your racquet to do the majority of the work for you.

Many of you have probably noticed that whenever you make a conscience effort to hit hard, the pace of your shots actually diminishes. This is because tight or tense muscles do not work together in a fluid, coordinated movement nearly as well as relaxed muscles. We all perform at our peak level when we are relaxed. In fact, many of the big servers in the professional game say that they hit their serves hardest when they simply concentrate on relaxing and placing their serve. This is no different than a pitcher or quarterback throwing a ball. Try exhaling and accelerating through your shots and you will find yourself speeding toward victory.

Travis J. Cardwell, USPTA

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ADDvantage/February 2000

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California

Hawaii

Aberg, Fredrik Anderson, Brian Bezelj , Jerko (Jerry) Carluen, Julio Decret, Alex Estacio , Joseph Gruner, Brian Hagerty-Severns , Mary Harmat , Gabriel Henderson , James R. Henson , Patrick Lasin, Joselito LeGrand, Christiaan Martin , Renate Matovic, Sveto Minor, Christopher Patuski, Trevor Paul, Rosemary Pavlov, Vladimir Sadighi, Dario Tuckwilkerson, A. Urquhart, Warren Warren, Clay Weiskirch , Hoang Hieu (Frank) Witsken, Mark Henry

Larson, Steven C .

Somerville, Harriet

Eastern A shley, Gerard Carrington , Roger Charen , Jako b Colesanti, Christopher Conyers , Shawn Dimond, Ted Feinberg , Neal Oper, Zoe Ra cker, Joel T. We inshank, Ba rry

Intermountain Evers, Jason Evers, Justin Harris, Frank Klampe, Jonathan Leifer, Scott Lyon , Joe Shockley, Rex Skeen , Tom Smith, David W. Trubey, Bill Williams , Donald

A co st a Jr., Antonio Alexa nder, Mary Catherine Brown, Andre Brown , Tammi C alvert, Doug Ch aouqi, Ha ss an Ch aouqi , Lori Chaouqi, Mohammed Clark, Robert Davis, Rick Eger, Christopher Erler, James W. Frederick , Joy Gamble, Bonnie Gritti, Nick Gu arachi , Holley Janes, John Johnson, Michael Kenney, M a rlou Linn , Clifton (Scott) M anso, Carol Mari ani , Manny Molina, Rachel Morelle, Todd O suigw e, Desmond Raper, Donald (Kirk)

Missouri Valley Bissell , Theodore Going, Michael Greer, Jacob Hoig, Noel Hurst, Lisa Mahaffy, Timothy Mason, Larry Oni , Allen Pourtorkan, Justin Puryear, Laura L. Ray, Ryan Tearney, Katherine

New England

Angoue, Boris Field, Matthew Lim, Oui-Soo Majdalani , Sam Martin, Ronald Reeves, Melanie W. Tregellas, Brock

Bradley, Edward Brady, Sean Bressler, Brigitte Caiola , Jenelle Carmona , David Dunn, Peter Flannery, Ann Gabriel, Seth Lienhard, Henry Lisai, Benjamin Macleod, Therese Marisseau, Kenneth Rosow, Adam Weeks, Anthony

JPTA

Northern California

ltoh, Takama sa Makoto, Nomura Matsumoto , Chie Muratsuka , Hisayasu Ohsuga , Nobuhiro Okajima, Shinji Tanaka, Hirofumi Ueno, Fuuta Yagishita , Su sumu Yoshida, Naohiro

Dissly, Tod C. Gilbert, Keith Grigg, Troy Haney, Laura Havrilenko , Gavin H. Huang , Kuang-Ju Newman , Ed Storrs, Josh

International

Mid-Atlantic Florida

Shideler, Timothy Stier, Sommer Tabatabaian, Hossein Walker, Robert Wenger, Douglas

Alexa nder, Keely B arrows, Patrick Bullock, Belinda Greene Ill, Clinton Lowe, James Mesmer, Joseph Percopo, C aroline Strickler, M atthew Tran , Chri stopher

Middle States Berry, Sandra Borden, Jane Cardie, Mary Lou Dombrowski, Joseph

Midwest Cain, Gregory Contini , Ryan Dandurand, Annie Hoffhouse, Mark Hurley, Roger Jones, Richard Karr, James Lassanske , Benjamin Potochick, Loraine Ru st, Theodore Shambaugh, Timothy

Northwest Carlson, Colby Jesperson , Todd Micek, Jennifer Schwarz, Gerard

Pacific Northwest Bakke, Ingrid Barron , Michelle Borchers, Deborah Dollar, William Henninger, Frederic L. Kiner, Lew Kischel , Rudolf Lalon e, Noni Murray, Jim Robert s, Denni s Ross, Joy Slater, Richard Swan son, Carl Throm , Tav is Tomandl, Mark Williams , Nicklau s B .

San Diego Bell, Nathan Giavara , Kenneth Lynch, Robert Mather, Larry Mikkelson , Seth Poiset , Dophie

Southern Austin , Keith Blundell, Steven Bruton, Bill Bruton, Seychelle Bryson, Cynthia Caccia, Gregory Chance, Judith Ching, Todd Ryan Davies, Chris Dowse, Michael Eubanks, Kelli Fazal, Hafeez Fulmer, Thomas Gaston , Ryan Glidewell , Brett Grothe, Scott Hunter, Michael Hutchison, Jason Jackson, Kevin King Jr., Daniel Lockette, Bruce Malaver, Raul Marques, Goncalo McCarty, Todd McGill, Fred B .

Meredith, Roger Musungwa, Takura Pierce, Rice Ray, Shawn Renoudet , James N .

Richardson, James Richardson, John Russell, Rhett Stagg, David Sweitzer, John Taggard, Peter Thompson, Craig Thompson, Jason Walrod, Pete Walters, Matthew

Southwest Bickham , Steve Brite, Morris Champion , Rick Jimenez, Jose Miller, Sara Moghina , Adrian Pietrucha, Khristen Reyes , Tony Santos, Claudia Strong , Shanna

Texas Archibald, Paul Christian, Corbett Craig , Pierre Gobely, Ronald Ingram Jr., Roland J imenez, Alberto McClaine, O'Don Prejean, Dawn Redman, Chris Rosa , Jose Rubio , Ricardo Sal vador, Wilfreda (Willie) Simmons, James Striesfeld, Eric Temple Jr., Orlando Willi ams, Scott Youmans, Eric

US Territories & Canada Johnston , Warren

ADDvantage/ February 2000

29

Career Conventions

"'Clc ·-·-"'>

(5 credits) Feb. 17-20

Texas Division Grapevine, Texas

Feb. 18-20

Northern California Division

Feb. 25-26

Midwest Division

Feb. 25-27

Middle States Division

Napa , Calif.

·--=

Indianapolis Hershey, Pa .

Feb. 25-27

Missouri Valley Division

March 3-5

Mid-Atlantic Division

Prairie Village, Kan .

Williamsburg , Va .

March 11-13 California Division City of Industry, Calif.

April 5-9

Intermountain Division Va il, Colo.

Activities/meetings (1/2 credit and up) Feb. 15-16

Midwest Division

Feb. 19-20

Midwest Division

Big Rapids, Mich.

Grand Rapids, Mich.

Feb. 19-20

Texas Division Grapevine, Texas

Feb. 26

Midwest Division Chicago

March 3-5

Midwest Division Chicago

March 3 -5

Midwest Division Anderson , Ind .

March 25

Midwest Division

April 7-9

Midwest Division

Big Rapid s, Mich .

Chicago

exa111s, upgrades & certification training courses (4 credits for CTC segment) Feb. 2-3 Feb. 3-5 Feb. 4-5 Feb. 5-6 Feb. 5-6 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 18-20 Feb. 19-20 Feb. 20

Lynb rook, N .Y. Mesa , Ariz.

Media , Pa .

Kansas City, Mo. Mobile, Ala. Pleasanton, Calif.

Rochester, N.Y. Bonita Springs , Fla .

Grapevine, Texas (upgrades only) Feb. 21-22 Houston * Feb. 25 Indianapo lis (upgrades only) Feb. 25-26 Gastonia , N.C. Feb. 26-27 Burbank, C alif.

Feb. 26-27 Hilton Head Island , S.C. Feb. 26-27 Dalla s March 2-4 Las Cruces, N.M .

March 4-5 Bonita Spring s, Fla. March 4-5 Wichita, Kan. March 5-6 Williamsburg, Va .

March 8-9 Flush ing, N.Y. March 10-11 Bloomington, Minn.

March 11 - 12 Loui svi lle, Ky. March 11-1 2 Los Gatos, C alif.

March 18-19 March 19-20 March 20-21 March 24-25 March 24-25 March 25-26 March 25-26 March 26-27 April 5-6 April8-9 ApriiB-9 Ap riiB-9 April14- 15 April15- 16 April23-24 April22-23 April22-23 April 29-30 April 29-30 April29-30 April 30May 1 April 30May 1

Chagrin, Ohio Atlanta Houston* Industry Hills, Calif.

Hempfield , Pa. Charleston, S.C .

Streetsboro, Ohio Augusta, Ga .

Vail , Colo.

Aurora, Ill. Birmingham, Al a.

Boca Raton , Fla. Pittsburgh, Pa. City of Industry, Calif.

Atlanta Fayetvi lle, N.C. Midlothian , Va. Big Rapid s, Mich.

Bonita Springs, Fla. Nashville, Tenn .

Frederi ck, Md. Ty ler, Texas

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed . Each date includes an exam, upgrade and CTC unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly.

Affiliate members: late ca ncellation fee - $75; failure to cancel - application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee - $25: failure to cancel - $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam wi ll not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.

specialty courses (2 credits per four-hour co urse; 4 credits per eight-hour course) Sport safety training, Feb. 17, Grapevine, Texas (4 hours) ,

American Red Cross Mental tennis training for peak performance, Feb. 18,

en en cu=.c_g ucn ca-t: cc ua=

Napa Valley, Calif. (4 hours) , G. Sailes (2 credits)

Doubles strategy: phases and situations, Feb. 20, Grapevine, Texas

Jan. 21 -22

(4 hours), F. Hassan

Feb. 4-5 Feb. 25-26 Feb. 27-28 March 17

Midwest Division Lincolnshire, Ill.

Team coaching, Feb. 24, Indianapolis (4 hours), 0 . Porter

Midwest Division

I bought a ball machine. Now what do I do?, Feb. 25, Hershey, Pa.

Troy, Mich.

(4 hours) , S. 0/ey

Midwest Division

I bought a ball machine. Now what do I do?, March 3,

Indianapolis

Williamsburg, Va. (4 hours) , S. 0/ey

Midwest Division

Group lessons, March 3, W illiam sburg, Va . (4 hours) , J. Oinoffer

C olumbu s, Ohio

I bought a ball machine. Now what do I do?, March 11,

Eastern Division

City of Industry, Calif. (4 hours), S. 0/ey

Syracuse, N.Y. The deadline to register and/or cancel a cou rse is 15 working days before the event.

Anyone ca nceli ng late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. This schedule is subject to change. Call the US PTA Membership Department for additional information or wri te via e-mail to membership@uspta.org.

30

ADDvantage/ February 2000

US PTA The Texas Tennis Hall of Fame announced its 1999 class.

The elite group consists of: USPTA member Fred Kniffen, UT Tyler Tennis Coach (1985-1997); Russell Seymour, winner of 54 national titles and 1997 World Champion in men 's 65 singles, and Betty Sue Hagerman Welch , USPTA, Highland Park Tennis Coach and 1993 national USPTA High School Coach of the Year.

This is the highest tennis tribute to any athlete or coach in Texas .

Marcy Rubinstein , USPTA and the owner of Marcy's Tennis Academy, LLC , was named The Pilot Pen Tennis Mom of the Year for 1999. The Pilot Rubinstein Pen tennis tournament held in New Haven, Conn., honored Rubinstein for her commitment to tennis.

Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, Calif., hired USPTA professionals Kevin Connolly as director of tennis and Victor Assad as head tennis professional. Both Connolly and Assad are with the tennis management company, Peter Burwash International.

John McWilliams, USPTA, conducted a Tennis Across America clinic in October at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala . The clinic raised $4,500 for the Family Sunshine Center in Montgomery.

USPTA Master Professional Ben Press is the new part-time teacher at the Mission Bay Hilton . He was recently the full-time tennis professional at The

Hotel del Coronado in California until Destinations Enterprises Corporation bought the property.

Todd Taylor, USPTA, has been at St. Stephens Tennis Academy in Austin, Texas, since mid-July working with male recruiting and college placement. He was formerly at River Oaks Country Club in Houston.

Janet Hopps Adkisson of Bellevue, Wash ., and Tory Fretz of Palm Desert, Calif. , were inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Asso ciation Women's Collegiate Hall of Fame in November.

Both are certified members of USPTA. Towpath Racquet Club in Akron, Ohio, hosted a parentchild doubles tournament plus a silent auction and raffle for tennis lessons and a club membership. Head professional Katie McCumiskey reported raising $2,300 for the Leukemia Society of America .

Clarence Mabry, Bob McKinley and Dick Stockton, all certified members of USPTA, were inducted into the Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame during its inaugural ceremony in October. Also inducted with the group was the late Chuck McKinley, who was an honorary member of the US PTA. USPTA professional Julian Cousins has been appointed the director of tennis development for Lambeth Borough Council, one of the largest city boroughs in London .

William Humes, USPTA, is one of four distinguished members who will be in ducted into the Mercer County (N .J.) Tennis Hall of Fame this month . Humes has coached tennis at

USPTA member Sally Schwartz ofPlano, Texas, took a team of 10 junior tennis players to Florida for the "Texas-Florida Shootout" in October.

Schwartz is the director ofjunior tennis at Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson, Texas. A highlight ofthe trip was a VIP tour ofNASA. Princeton High School for 40 years and will be stepping down this year. In the past Humes has been awarded the USTA/ Middle States Coach of the Year, the Princeton Tennis Program 's Teacher of the Year award and the James Cryan Achievement Award.

Member product showcase Jim Buck, 20-year USPTA member and director of tennis and fitness at Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, Fla ., has developed and patented the PreStroke Trainer, tennis' answer to the donut used on baseball bats during warmup. The Pre-Stroke retails for $17 .50 and is available to pro shops, specialty stores and individuals by calling (561) 563-2200.

USTA Top-seeded Arvind Parmar of Great Britain captured the singles title at the Casa Ole USTA Futures of Waco. Frederic Niemeyer and Jerry

Turek captured the doubles title. Prudential Securities presented the tournament.

Marcos Ondruska topped Radek Stapanek, 6-2, 6-2; to win the singles championship at the drkoop.com USTA Challenger of Miami presented by America Online.

Manufacturers HEAD/ Penn Racquet Sports U.S. integrated its marketing and management structure for further efficiencies and impact in the U.S. market. The integrated organization will further leverage HEAD/ Penn's position as the No. 2 company in the racquet sports industry.

Wilson introduced the new Hyper Hammer 3.3 racquet featuring Hyper Carbon Series 2, which is an additional layer of a new, improved form of Hyper Carbon for enhanced torsional stability and improved control.

Wilson Sporting Goods introduced the Limited Jack

Continued next page ADDva ntage/ February 2000

31

"

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I

I

LL1_Q= L~~l__bl~\ / Kramer racquet for the new millennium. Only 2,000 racquets will be sold in the United States that will be numbered and packaged in an exclusively designed box along with a set of Sensation NXT string and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Serena Williams is now playing with Wilson's new Hyper Hammer6.3, featuring patented Hammer technology with Hyper Carbon. The Hyper Hammer 6.3 is lightweight, which makes it extremely maneuverable.

Wilson Sporting Goods introduced the Hyper Pro Staff 6.5 featuring this revolu-

tionary material made up of an ultra-high modulus carbon which is four times stiffer, four times stronger and 65 percent lighter than Titanium for ultimate power, lightness and strength.

Miscellany The oldest ballboy in the history of the U.S. Open, Manny Hershkowitz, 82, worked at the 1999 Chase Championships of the WTA Tour at Madison Square Garden in November.

Sportsworld Travel will be the sole Official Tour operator for the ninth consecutive year for Wimbledon 2000 .

"

" ''

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1

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~~~Lo For more information or to request a free full-color brochure, please call (800) 278-6738 or e-mail wimbledon@sportsworldgroup.plc.uk.

Peter Burwash International held its annual meeting in December at the world-class Palm Coast Players Club tennis facility. PBI pros staff the "who's who" of exclusive tennis resorts, clubs and hotels around the world.

DuPont World TeamTennis awarded a franchise to the Hartford (Conn.) Foxforce.

The Hartford franchise is WTT's eighth team in the

~

l1_

nationwide co-ed professional tennis league.

DuPont renewed its sponsorship of DuPont World Team Tennis through the 2001 season . For the next two years, the Wilmington, Del., based company will use the WTT sponsorship to support the company's increased focus on nutrition and health.

Alex Bogomolov, Ryan Redondo and Travis Rettenmaier swept Croatia , 3-0, to give the United States its first title at the NEC World Youth Cup in Australia this past November.

CLASSIFIEDS BACKBOARDS Rally Master Backboards. Lowest prices, 20-year warranty. Puncture, fade and crack proof. Quiet performance. Free brochure.

Dealers wanted. (800) 609-9966

BOOKS AND VIDEOS www.TennisExpress.com: bio-

mechanics, mental tennis, movement/footwork videos. Drill books, training products, ball machines, coaching manuals.

FREE catalog. (800) 833-6615.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Attention all tennis-teaching and business-related taxpayers! We guarantee up to 50 percent savings on your taxes. Created and monitored by former IRS officials. Don't miss out! Call 24hour info recording (918) 2227210, ext. 2 15, then call "The Tax People" at (800) 707-5006, ext. 2482#.

EMPLOYMENT BERKHEIMERS'S TENNIS SERVICES. A pro-placement service in Vero Beach, Fla., is actively matching USPTA managers, tennis directors, head pros

32

ADDvantage/ February

2000

and assistants to clubs, resorts and academies nationwide. Call Gerry Berkheimer for derails at (56 1) 388-549 1 Monday-Friday.

FIND-A-PRO free online job bureau. Find or list jobs. Search by location (city, state, ZIP), position tide or type of employment (full, part, summer) . www. uspta.org, www.LitdeTennis.com, www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com.

FREE Online Job Bank: www.TennisExp ress.com. Review current job postings. Advertise job openings. Post seeki ng-employment ads. It's all FREE. Go online or call (713) 78 1-4848.

JOB OPENING- TENNIS PROFESSIONAL. Looking for a certified, outgoing, dynamic teaching professional. T his fulltime position includes teaching tennis to all age and ability levels.

Competitive hourly wage, health plan, paid vacation and access to the club's facilities. Please send resume to: Wendy Zimpfer, KTC/QRRC, 4565 Gateway Circle, Dayton, O hio 45440.

TENNIS EMPLOYMENT and tennis news is now available from Bob Larson. For FREE twomonth trial, send your name and "Free USPTA trial" to tennisnews@aol.com.

Motivated tennis pros needed for year-round and summer country clubs and resorts. Fax resume to WTS International (301) 622-3373 or call (301) 622-7800, ext. 122.

-www. tennisjobs.com The Tennis Job Line is a tennis professional's employment service.

It advertises tennis openings at country clubs, tennis clubs, resorts, public facilities, colleges and summer camps.

TRAINING WARNING: Coaches and athletes only. Free newsletter. For serious tennis players. Enroll online. www. Rea!Athlete. com .

TRAINING PRODUCTS The Pre-Stroke Trainer is a 7ounce performance-enhancing training aid that attaches to your racquet face and is molded to look like a tennis ball. It is used to stretch, strengthen and train your

tennis-specific muscles before play and during off-court workouts. The Pre-Stroke Trainer retails for $17.50 and is available to pro shops and specialty stores, as well as individuals. Call (561) 563-2200 or fax (561) 388-0193.

VACATION OPPORTUNITIES WANTED! Tennis professionals and tennis coaches. The Professional Coaches Association offers numerous opportunities for tennis pros and coaches to participate in PCA Working Vacation Programs at exclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean. Join this long-running and successful program that so many professionals have enjoyed.

For information, contact Mark Burns at (617) 552-3171.

Rates: $30 far 20 wards, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard.

Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date.

(No agency or cash discounts.)

Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover dale. Fax to (713) 9787780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone.

No exceptions are made.

USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. It reserves the right to re;ect any advertise-

ment at its discretion.

PRESO RTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT NO . 602