USPTA CEO John Embree with Charlie Osborn, Prince Sports Director of Sales
43 USPTA signs Prince partnership with multiyear deal
45 USPTA endorses
Growing your business: National Family Tennis Championships Provides USPTA Pros with Revenue Opportunities Page 46
Departments 39 CEO’s Message 49 Career Development 41 First Vice President’s Message 51 Member news 43 USPTA Benefits ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 email – magazine@uspta.org
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Managing editor Circulation
Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
Hop-a-Razzi and NetKnacks products
Online:
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com Know Your Numbers by Rod Heckelman, USPTA Process vs. Outcome Goals by Kim Dillard, USPTA Special Delivery by Colin Braun, USPTA
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.
February 2014
ADDvantage 37
LOVE
REKINDLED
Prince is proud to once again be partnering with the USPTA as the exclusive supplier of racquets, strings, accessories and balls.
princetennis.com
Official Racquet, String, and Ball of the USPTA
CEO’s Message
They’re baaaaaack …
by John Embree
A
s you know, there have been a host of changes to the USPTA that we have announced over the past several months. However, none of those previous communications are more significant than the announcement we are making regarding our official endorsement contract for racquets and balls. Our 40-year relationship with Penn as the official ball is ending, which may have been the longest standing endorsement relationship in the tennis industry; so is our 10-year run with HEAD as the “official racquet, string and accessories.” I would be remiss if I did not express my sincerest gratitude to HEAD/Penn for the service and support that they provided USPTA members over the years. They have been a terrific partner over these past decades and deserve our heartiest thanks for the investment that they made in our association. But, like so many good things in life, the time has come to close this chapter and open a new one. And, in some respects, we are turning back the clock to revitalize a relationship that put this brand on the top of the industry while making the USPTA a credible organization because of its ability to influence the tennis playing consumer. WELCOME BACK, PRINCE! Prince is returning in a multiyear deal as the official racquet, string, grip, accessories, string machines and 10 and Under Tennis equipment supplier for the USPTA. Plus, Prince has returned to the ball business and will also serve as our official ball. These next few years will be an exciting time for both the USPTA and Prince as we work
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together to help the company restore pro shop at their club, resort or indoor its iconic heritage. club. Modeled after what the PGA does, This multi-faceted agreement with Prince will contribute 5 percent on all Prince is going to be completely differracquet, string, grips, bags, stringing ent than our previous endorsements. machines and 10 and Under equipment Compensation to the USPTA is going along with 2.5 percent on all premium to be predicated on how many pros tennis balls and ROGY balls. This is a convert to Prince from other brands HUGE benefit to our membership that and how much business our members will undoubtedly drive increased sales can drive through the club pro shop for Prince in the pro shop trade chanchannel. How well the USPTA can nel where we have the most influence. galvanize its membership to get beMy goal is to have every new enhind this endorsement will impact the dorsee who wants to become affiliamount of revenue that the USPTA will ated with the USPTA in the future be receive. prepared to commit to participating As for the membership, the equipin the Retirement Gold+ program. ment packages that That is why I am Prince is going to offer Prince is returning in a also thrilled to anmultiyear deal as the will actually be richer nounce that two than past agreements, official racquet, string, grip, more endorsees are which should make accessories, string machines starting with us in most of you happy. The and 10 and Under Tennis 2014, NetKnacks paradigm shift is that and Hop-a-Razzi. equipment supplier the equipment packages for the USPTA. NetKnacks is gowill be tied directly to ing to serve as our how many hours you actually teach on official supplier of awards and promocourt versus your USPTA classification tional items while Hop-a-Razzi is going as in the past. I believe in rewarding to be our official tennis ball basket. Bethose who make their living on court; sides the deep discounts that they will they deserve the most equipment. And, provide on their product, they too will those professionals are also the most be contributing a piece of all purchases influential with consumers about what made by USPTA Pros to their respecracquet or string or grip they should tive retirement accounts. purchase. Please note: your local Prince Please see the announcements Brand Manager will determine which about each new endorsement further package is right for you. back in this issue to learn more about The final nuance to this agreement how these new relationships will affect is the commitment that Prince is makyou. Thanks in advance for doing all ing to support the retirement savings that you can do to support these comvehicle for those USPTA-certified Propanies by purchasing their products. In fessionals who own their own pro shop return, they are committed to helping or who have fiscal responsibility for the you long term.
February 2014
ADDvantage 39
First Vice President’s Message
Budget and finance update:
How you can help … and why it matters!
by Chuck Gill
O
ne of my assignments as a National Board member is to serve as chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee. The financial operation of our national office is capably run by CEO John Embree and supported by the national staff of Director of Finance Kathy Ladner and Controller Ellen Weatherford. As a trade association and a not for profit, it is incumbent of the USPTA National Board and its Executive Committee to both approve the operating budget and be aware of the revenues and expenses that are a part of its operation. Simply put, our revenues are monies that are collected from conventions, endorsements, rental space at the office, testing/certification fees, merchandise, and of course membership dues. It is worth noting that 35 percent of all dues received by the National Headquarters are paid out to the divisions on a “per membership” basis to enable those divisions to directly service their members. Membership dues have historically made up the largest percent of our revenues, followed by endorsements, building rental and other fees. Our expenses consist of all items that we need to provide services back to the dues paying members. Among these are conference expenses, public relations, building expenses, testing and certification costs, merchandise cost, and staff and administrative cost of running the national office. How does this relate to the aver-
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age member who pays their dues and in any way that we are able. expects (rightfully so) value for their Get involved. Our association is investment? Below are a few ways that only as strong as our members. There our professionals can make use of their are many ways to become more active in membership, while helping their trade your association. Attend a division conassociation become financially strong vention, play in a surface championship, and relevant to the industry: or take advantage of the educational Promote certification and memofferings, some of which is online. While bership whenever you can. The more all of these are great opportunities to qualified memberships we have, the maximize your membership value, it bigger our voice in the industry! If you will also help you network with your know of a quality professional who is peers and increase your visibility in the not a member, encourage them to bebusiness. The more members that are come certified. active and engaged As USPTA Pros, WE are If you are in a posiin our programs, the the largest employer of tion that hires pros, more we are able to tennis teachers. Requiring do. Currently, we encourage or better yet, certification and continuing are working hard to require certification of education will not only your staff. As USPTA increase the amount improve the quality of your of tangible benefits Pros, WE are the largoperation, but it strengthens for our membership, est employer of tennis our association. teachers. Requiring as well as being advocertification and continuing education cates for the tennis professionals with will not only improve the quality of club managers and owners. your operation, but it strengthens our Operating a trade association of association. 15,000 members is not easy. As our Support the endorsed products. membership is diverse in age, job type, Loyalty to a company that has been a and career stage, so too are the things long-time supporter is expected, and it that they think are important. Several is certainly the right thing to do. Howev- times per year, we send out surveys to er, when possible, give the endorsee the the membership to see what they think opportunity to explain how their prodabout everything from endorsed product will benefit YOU as a consumer and ucts to education, insurance, and any business person. Our endorsees have benefits that they think are important. invested in the USPTA, and thus, they Please take the few minutes to respond. have invested in you. At the very least, What we gather and hear from the give them a chance to bid and compete members will ultimately drive the for products that you probably already decisions about how your dollars are buy. It is good business to support them spent.
February 2014
ADDvantage 41
Celebrating
50 YEARS
Serving the Tennis Industry FREE 10-S TOUGH BASKET WITH ANY PURCHASE FOR THE FIRST FIVE USPTA MEMBERS TO CALL & MENTION THIS AD* *Free 10-S Tough Basket for the first five USPTA Members to call and mention this ad. Purchase required, but no minimum purchase amount required. The 10-S Tough Basket holds up to 80 balls. It has a traditional look and feel with top quality craftsmanship. Item # IG3080 $24.95
GAME, SET,
NEVER MATCHED! Since 1964
42 ADDvantage
February 2014
800-247-3907
Official Court Equipment Supplier of the
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
USPTA Benefits
USPTA signs Prince partnership with multiyear deal
T
his year, USPTA begins an exclusive endorsement relationship with Prince Global Sports for racquets, string and accessories. In addition, Prince will serve as the official ball of the USPTA. When Prince and the USPTA were affiliated during the 1980s through the early ’90s, both companies rose to the top of their respective sections in the tennis industry. As Prince repositions itself in the marketplace – including re-entering the tennis ball market – the affiliation with USPTA will help create consumer demand for their product. “Working with skilled, motivated and performance focused tennis-teaching professionals is a critical factor in driving sales in this industry and Prince recognizes the significant value that an association with the USPTA brings to that equation,” said Prince Global Sports CEO Mike Ballardie. “A key part of our 2014 brand strategy is a focus on ensuring that all players are ‘fitted’ for the optimum equipment for their game. This partnership with the USPTA is a valued piece of that puzzle.” “Prince is the first major USPTA endorsee to contribute to the Retirement Gold+ plan because the company knows the influence and credibility that USPTAcertified Professionals have with tennis-playing consumers,” said USPTA CEO John Embree, who is familiar with the brand and its staff from serving as President of Prince Sports, The Americas from 2008-2010. “Having worked closely with Mike Ballardie in the past, I know the commitment the company and its staff have to the tennis-teaching profession and the grassroots efforts to grow our sport.”
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Product packages The Prince product packages are available to USPTA Professionals and Elite Professionals in good standing (dues paid.) Different than in years past, equipment packages will not be based on your USPTA classification. What is new in 2014 is that your package will be based on the number of hours you spend on court teaching tennis and your retail affiliation. All USPTA members are eligible for preferred player pricing. Retirement plan contribution In addition, a key component is that Prince will be participating in the vendor-contribution segment of the USPTA Retirement Gold+ plan. Prince will contribute 5 percent on the purchase of racquets and accessories, and 2.5 percent on both Tour and Play & Stay balls to the retirement plans of certified Professionals who sell Prince products through their pro shops. At this time, only those pros who own a club or resort pro shop, or have fiscal responsibility for the shop are eligible for this feature of the plan. Visit USPTA.com/ benefits and click on the Prince logo to access a Retirement Gold+ Affirmation/Attestation form. Fill it out and email it to uspta@ uspta.org or fax to 713-978-7780. Demo days USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinics, coordinated by USPTA Professionals, will be held between April 1 and May 31. While USPTA Professionals are encouraged to conduct these events at any time during the year, these two months in the spring have been targeted for focusing on getting the tennis-playing consumer to try Prince racquets. Our
goal is to host a minimum of 50 clinics with 40 people per event across the U.S. during these two months. Look for more information in the next several weeks. Contact your Prince Brand Manager to request demos and to schedule a USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinic. To find your brand manager, go to uspta.com/ benefits and click on Prince. How to get your equipment 1. Go to uspta.com/benefits and click on the Prince logo. Then click on the Contract Request Form in the top right corner. The deadline to apply for your contract is March 30. 2. If you are a USPTA member in good standing, your completed request form will be electronically forwarded to your Prince Brand Manager. 3. Your Prince Brand Manager will contact you within three days to confirm your number of on-court teaching hours, retail affiliation and other pertinent information. 4. Your Prince Brand Manager will determine your contract status. 5. Once approved, your contract will be issued electronically and an email containing a link to teamprince.com, including your personal account number and temporary password. 6. Once you update your personal profile, accept contract terms and conditions, and complete your equipment preferences on teamprince.com, your equipment will ship. If you have questions, contact Prince at princeplayers@princeglobalsports.com. Thanks for your support of our newest endorsee.
February 2014
ADDvantage 43
5304! PROFESSIONALS WILL RECEIVE A ĶĎįqÃæıÄ&#x;ÃdĽıÃÃç TO THEIR USPTA Retirement Gold + ACCOUNT
5304! PROFESSIONALS ALSO RECEIVE OFF ANY ORDER OF OR MORE
44 ADDvantage
February 2014
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
USPTA Benefits
USPTA endorses Hop-a-Razzi and NetKnacks products
T
he new year brings two more new industry endorsements to USPTA: first, a multiyear partnership with Hop-a-Razzi that names the manufacturer the official ball basket of the association. Secondly, NetKnacks Tennis Awards has been named USPTA’s preferred awards and promotional products provider. Both new endorsees will contribute to the USPTA Retirement Gold+ Plan. “It is imperative for our association to align itself with leaders in the tennis industry, especially companies that recognize the influence USPTA Professionals have to create demand in the marketplace,” said USPTA CEO John Embree. “Hop-a-Razzi and NetKnacks are showing their commitment to tennis professionals by supporting the USPTA’s new Retirement Gold+ Plan through their willingness to contribute a percentage of sales to members’ retirement plans. “Remember, it is important that USPTA Professionals do as much as possible to support our endorsees that are committed to helping with your retirement down the road.” Hop-a-Razzi Hop-a-Razzi’s patented design includes built-in wheels, adjustableheight handles, superior quality construction and 12 vibrant colors. The product line features three models that pick up standard and lowcompressions balls: Classic (95 balls), Junior (65 balls) and Pro (125 balls). The Junior and Pro models have snapshut lids and convertible handles that switch to sturdy lock-in legs in seconds. USPTA members qualify for special rates on Hop-a-Razzi products and certified Professionals earn a 5 percent contribution to their retirement accounts based on Hop-a-Razzi purchases. Christi Turdo, founder of Hop-a-
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Razzi and USPTA-certified teaching professional says, “I designed Hop-aRazzi so players and teaching pros get the best value for their time, money and energy on the court. Ball pickup is fast, easy and fun for all ages so there’s more time to play. When you use our baskets you can keep the momentum of play going, keep your heart rate up, and hit more balls. We also offer the highest quality hoppers that are sturdy and durable. And with 12 vibrant colors, Hopa-Razzi is the only tennis ball basket that provides style and function.” NetKnacks NetKnacks helps customers find unique tennis awards and promotional items to make their events successful, and they offer a large variety of products in every price range. From glass awards to customdesigned T-shirts to on-court accessories including bag tags and coolers, NetKnacks aims to help promote your event. Whether you choose to place your order through netknacks.com or over the phone,
NetKnacks offers free rush service and personalized customer attention, ensuring an easy and enjoyable ordering process. All orders are backed by the NetKnacks guarantee – If you are not satisfied with your order for any reason, they’ll replace it with another selection of equal value. At the core of NetKnacks is one simple phrase: Love Tennis. As a USPTA endorsee, NetKnacks will support USPTA Professionals through contributions to their Retirement Gold+ program. For each purchase, members will receive a 3 percent contribution to their account. In addition, NetKnacks offers USPTA members a 10 percent discount for orders greater than $500. The NetKnacks team is excited about the opportunity to assist USPTA members in enhancing the quality of their events. “Since 1990 we have been helping our customers find the right tennis awards, apparel and promotional items to make their events a success,” says NetKnacks founder Marcy Hirshberg. “We have always appreciated the opportunity to service the USPTA members and this partnership provides us the perfect way to help support the members in a meaningful way while at the same time making it easy and cost effective in helping them promote and grow the sport of tennis.” Learn more about these new endorsements at uspta.com/benefits.
February 2014
ADDvantage 45
Growing your business
National Family Tennis Championships Provides USPTA Pros with Revenue Opportunities
L
ooking for an opportunity to earn a little money? Thanks to the USPTA’s collaboration with the National Family Tennis Championships, you can! NFTC is a family doubles tournament where families advance through local and regional play to a national championship. The tournament is open to amateur players of all levels. USPTA Pros who host a tournament could earn a minimum $612 (if
“As a mom with a teenage son, there are only so many things we can do together,” said Kristin Wogahn of Eau Claire, Wis. “Tennis is one of the things we’re able to always do with each other.”
“I’m so emotional about my daughter telling me, ‘come on dad, let’s go,’” said Aime Ngounoue of Washington, D.C. “I’m always telling her that … to hear her keep telling me ... that’s so special.”
46 ADDvantage
February 2014
they meet the minimum requirements of hosting) and will receive marketing and tournament materials from NFTC. The marketing kit includes promotional brochures and posters and a sample tournament email blast. The tournament kit contains an NFTC banner, player premiums, tennis balls, and division champion and runner-up awards. 2013 was the inaugural year for the NFTC, and several USPTA Pros were involved. “The National Family Tennis Championships were great for our club last year,” said Scott Novak, USPTA Professional and director of tennis for Mobile Tennis Center. “The tournament atmosphere fits right into the target demographic at our
club, which is young families. During the National Family Tennis Championships we had many local families play and many younger families come out and watch. As these young kids and parents watched the tournament you could see and hear goals being set about practicing hard together and playing in next year’s tournament. The Mobile Tennis Center is a big supporter of the National Family Tennis Championships.” Other benefits of running a NFTC tournament are having to pay no sanction fees and having the use of an online tournament and player registration system. There is also the opportunity for additional revenue from lessons, merchandise and concession sales.
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
“You play these awesome points with your kid, and you get to celebrate. It’s fun to play with your child … there are very few sports that you can do that, too,” said Kay Williams of Mobile, Ala.
USPTA Master Professional Fernando Velasco, general manager and director of tennis at Grey Rock Tennis Club in Austin, Texas, also hosted a tournament last year. He said, “I was excited to be included in the National Family Tennis Championships. The members at my club and the Austin players have had an experience of a lifetime. What a great family experience. We plan to do it again next year.” There are two age groups for participating teams: Child 18 and under and Child 18 and Older. The divisions are Mother/Daughter, Mother/Son, Father/Daughter and Father/Son. Teams pay a one-time entry fee to compete at all levels. Winners of local tournaments move on to compete in a Super Regional Playoff. Playoff winners who qualify for a championship will receive an expense-paid trip to the National Family Tennis Championships’ final round held in late August. “Frog Hollow has been involved with National Family Tennis Championships since its beginning, running parent/child divisions,” said Robin Marcante, league coordinator for Frog Hollow Racquet Club. “Frog Hollow is a
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To get on board for 2014, USPTA “The members at my club Pros must register to host by Feb. 1. To and the Austin players host an event, you must: have had an experience of a lifetime. What a great • Host a minimum of three divisions with a minimum of 36 teams family experience. We plan participating to do it again next year.” family-oriented facility always looking for opportunities to get all members of a family involved in the sport of tennis. With NFTC we have given parents the opportunity to compete and have fun with their child in a supportive, wellrun event. We have had multiple teams qualify for nationals and they have all returned telling us they have had an amazing time, not only in the tournament, but also with their whole family, those competing and those supporting ... it really is a whole family event. We look forward to hosting the event again next year.”
•
Utilize the NFTC online registration system
•
Run the tournament between MayJuly 6, 2014*
•
Use the NTFC-recommended play and scoring formats
•
Use NFTC marketing materials and distribute event sponsor materials
* Local tournaments can be run over the two month period by hosting a different division each week or a couple of divisions each week.
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, go to: www.familytennis.com/faq/host Sign up to host here: www.familytennis.com/sanction Contact us at info@familytennis.com or call 800-928-1265, ext. 101.
February 2014
ADDvantage 47
SPRING Collection Arriving Now
http://uspta.fromuthtennis.com
Career Development Exams, Upgrades & PTCA I
Conventions (Division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference 8 credits; dates subject to change) Feb. 13-16 Feb. 21-22 Feb. 28-March 1 March 1-3 March 2
(4 credits for PTCA I segment) Feb. 2 Feb. 7-8 Feb. 13-14 Feb. 15-16 Feb. 15-16 Feb. 20 Feb. 21-22 Feb. 22-23
Hilton Head Island, S.C. Atlanta Port Washington, N.Y. Orlando Horseshoe Bay, Texas Kansas City, Kan. Houston* Edmonds, Wash.
* 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 PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; 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 will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.
Texas Division Missouri Valley Division Mid-Atlantic Division Midwest Division San Diego Division
TAUT workshop March 1
Midwest Division Columbus, Ohio
Specialty courses March 1
Management: a learned skill Columbus, Ohio; A. Pant
Accredited Professional Coach Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC.
To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session.
Webinars
USPTAPlayer.com Tournament Module Training
Cardio Tennis Feb. 9 Feb. 20 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 27 March 2 March 3
CT CT CT TRX CT CT CT TRX CT
Honolulu Kansas City, Mo. Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island, S.C. Columbus, Ohio San Francisco San Francisco
Please visit www.cardiotennis.com to register online.
If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.
A Tennis New Year’s Resolution – Intro to USPTA Player.com Have you been interested in learning more about the USPTA’s programming and management platform, USPTAplayer.com? If you are like many, you have been planning to do this for quite a while but then the phone rings and a club member has a need that you must tend to right away so your professional development interests go on hold. Well, USPTA has a series of short webinars designed to make it very easy for you to get in sync with using USPTA Player.com. The webinar training series begins by focusing on the tournament module since this is a module that many people need. At the conclusion of the session you will have fundamental knowledge of: 1. The structure of using USPTAplayer.com 2. Setting up and running a tournament
(.5 APC credits) Feb. 6 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 27
Horseshoe Bay, Texas Mission Hills, Kan. Fredericksburg, Va. Dublin, Ohio La Jolla, Calif.
Noon EST/9 a.m. PST 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST Noon EST/9 a.m. PST
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
The session will be 30 minutes of instruction followed by up to 30 minutes of Q&A. Private follow-up sessions are available for anyone wanting to learn more than is covered in the scope of this webinar. All those completing training will receive .5 APC credit. Space is limited to first 20 people to register for each session. To reserve your space, email randy.jenks@uspta.org and indicate the date on which you would like to attend. You will receive a reply with the webinar logon instructions.
February 2014
ADDvantage 49
I AM STRONG
I AM PRECISE
I AM 750 What's your Number?
Every Prince racquet has a unique power level number to help you identify the perfect frame for your game. Discover your number at iam.princetennis.com.
#iamprince
Member News • Paul Waldman, USPTA’s general counsel, passed away during the night, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013. A native of New York, Waldman graduated from Columbia College, where he played on the tennis team. He received his L.L.B. from Columbia Law School. Waldman was formerly a partner at a law firm in New York City. He practiced law, and lived with his wife in Tarrytown, N.Y. Waldman admirably served the association since 1974. His dedication to the USPTA was genuine, his intellect unquestioned, his legal expertise unmatched and his stewardship often unheralded. He was made an Honorary member of the USPTA in 2003. • Dave Neuhart, PBI Director of Tennis at Reynolds Plantation, has been honored with two annual awards for his service in 2013. Neuhart was awarded Georgia Professional of the Year by the USPTA and named the Georgia Volunteer of the Year as part of the USTA Southern Awards. These recent accolades join a long list of other achievements for Neuhart and Reynolds Plantation, including the Professional of the Year for Peter Burwash International in 2000 and Professional of the Year for USTA Georgia in 2009. Neuhart has been leading the tennis program at Reynolds Plantation since 2004. With more than 30 years of professional experience, he has set the standard for building a highly successful tennis program at Reynolds Plantation, dedicating his time and talent to the betterment of the sport, and establishing strong relationships with staff, members, and industry leaders. • Juan Oscar Rios, USPTA member and former ATP tennis pro, has joined the staff of the New Rochelle Tennis Club in New Rochelle, N.Y., as director of tennis. He will assume all responsibility for lessons, programs and tennis camps. Rios is a native of Puerto Rico, where he was ranked No. 1 in the country from the ages of 10-18. He
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holds multiple national titles in both singles and doubles. He played for five years on the ATP tour, achieving a ranking of 260 in both singles and doubles. Some of his more significant wins on tour were over MaliVai Washington, Mark Woodford, and Pablo Arraya. From 1984-1994 he was called upon regularly to be Andre Agassi’s hitting partner. He also worked at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in NYC. • René Vidal, USPTA, director of tennis at Forest Hills Country Club in Chesterfield, Mo., has just released “Play Smart to Win: Better Tactics Lead to Better Results. Play Smart to Win,” now available on Amazon, is a collection of strategies, tactics, and advice for players and coaches seeking to gain the winning edge over opponents. Endorsed by Stanford University legendary coach Dick Gould, “Play Smart to Win” contains insights, developmental worksheets, and interviews with today’s top coaches – all of the tools necessary for the player and coach with a mind for high performance. As an added incentive, 10 percent of book sales is donated to the East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutoring Foundation, the leading non-for-profit tennis organization for today’s urban youth. • Riverhill Country Club Tennis Director Garry Nadebaum, USPTA, won the USTA National Indoor Doubles title held in Park City, Utah. Nadebaum and his doubles partner Willie Alumbaugh (Kansas) were seeded No. 1 since they won the USTA National Grass Courts title earlier this year. With this being their second national doubles title this Nadebaum and Alumbaugh will be ranked No. 1 in USTA National Men’s 45’s Doubles for 2013. In singles, Nadebaum placed 6th and with this result ended the year ranked No. 1 in the USTA National Men’s 45’s singles ranking as well as doubles. Pictured from left: Nadebaum and Alumbaugh.
• The St. Mary’s County Tennis Association held its 4th Annual Feast or Slammin’ Tournament on Nov. 16 to benefit the Southern Maryland Food Bank. The tournament raised $600 from entry fees and donations. The tournament co-directors, Jason Wynn, SMCTA Vice-President and Derek Sabedra, USPTA and Patuxent High School head tennis coach, collected 66 pounds of food. Door prizes were donated by the Ruddy Duck Restaurant located in Calvert County and Cheeseburgers in Paradise Restaurant in St. Mary’s County. Picture from left: Alan Turrill, President of SMCTA, Brenda DeCarlo, director of Southern Maryland Food Bank and Sabedra. • A Tennis Community Making a Difference during the Holidays – USPTA Pro Gary Cimperman, along with tournament directors Pam Brandner and Adele Lassus coordinated the 14th annual STARC/Children’s Wish Benefit Tennis Tournament. Cross Gates Family Fitness in Slidell, La., annually hosts the event. This year’s edition featured men’s and women’s doubles including nearly 70 teams across four divisions. In addition to a great weekend of tennis, area philanthropists, artisans, and local businesses lined up to donate to the charity raffle, showcasing approximately 350 prizes. For more than a decade, Brandner has continually set the bar high, raising more and more money every year. Every December, the benefit raises between $15-$18k on average. “Our tennis community comes together during the holidays to make a difference. This means the world to me,” she said. The icing on the cake every year is the Wish Ceremony where local children and their families are granted a chance to live out a dream. This past year, two families will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Disney World. When asked why she keeps coming back Lassus replied, “We were able to provide a memory for a family in need ... I just love it.”
February 2014
ADDvantage 51
Your Serve
TennisIndustry
Influence Peddlers
This industry needs to embrace an organized, national group of high school tennis coaches. By Denny Schackter
I
n my long career in this industry, I had the privilege of coaching high school tennis when I was at the University of Wisconsin. Later, I became the college coach at Wisconsin and in the mid-1970s was part of a team of coaches that helped organize the Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches Association, which is still going strong. Then, as the area rep for Wilson, I tried to embrace high school coaches by supporting their activities. I felt then, and still feel, high school tennis coaches are vitally important when it comes to starting students on a solid tennis pathway. Currently, as a volunteer member of the USTA’s national Tennis on Campus Committee, I see firsthand how our commitment to promoting tennis on college campuses is helping to bring more young professionals into this industry. While TOC students are a great breeding ground for industry leaders, we have an even larger base out there that can help move this industry forward—high school tennis players—and the key to this group is the large number of high school tennis coaches in the U.S. As an industry, we need to embrace high school coaches better. The USTA realizes the influence high school and middle school coaches have on creating more players, which is why the association has long been pushing school coaches to run no-cut teams. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, in the 2011-2012 school year, there were 11,253 high schools providing tennis as an interscholastic sport, with about 340,600 students participating. I would guess there were probably 11,000 men and women coaching these teams. These coaches can be a great influence in the
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lives of these young players. But not only that, these coaches can influence this industry in a big way, too, since their players need court time, balls, racquets, strings, shoes, apparel and accessories. High school tennis coaches are organized in some states, but not all, with annual meetings and clinics for coaches that promote, monitor and improve the high school tennis experience for student-athletes. What we need in this industry is a viable national organization of high school tennis coaches that can be embraced by the Tennis Industry Association—and therefore by this industry as a whole. Why should high school tennis coaches organize into their own nationwide trade group? Collectively, their influence would be vast—it would permeate virtually every aspect of this business and influence future generations of players. For instance: • Many high school coaches are lifelong mentors to their students and can steer them to give back to the game. They can, and should, be a huge factor in helping bring young people into the tennis industry and building for this sport’s future. • High school coaches are tennis advocates with a common goal, and they span the whole nation. • Their influence covers tennis players in season, in the classroom and out of season. Often, they can influence high school athletes in other sports to play tennis. • High school tennis coaches often are the pulse of tennis in a community. Many are part- or full-time tennis teachers at local facilities. Many are USTA volunteers or league officials. Many simply are the driving force for tennis in a community.
• Their experience and leadership with all aspects of tennis, including building and maintaining courts and facilities, influences and drives the tennis infrastructure. • They can influence their players’ equipment purchases, including how often players need to “tune up” or restring their racquets. Yes, both the PTR and USPTA have certification programs for high school coaches, as does the USTA. But coaches themselves need to take the bull by the horns and realize the positive influence they can have collectively. And the TIA needs to get involved—realizing how important this group is to the future of the sport. We’re all concerned about the aging of tennis teachers in this country—but think about the fresh, young teaching talent we could have if we had a mechanism, through a high school coaches association, to influence passionate high school players to join the ranks of our professional tennis teaching groups. If tennis is going to grow—and grow with a solid “tennis teacher” foundation—all facets of the “influencers” should be involved in the overall trade group that governs the business of tennis. ! Denny Schackter resides in Palatine, IL, where he is the owner of Tennis Priorities, a firm whose focus is recruiting young people into tennis teaching. Check out his website www. tennispriorities.com or email him at chibadger@aol.com. We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to TI@racquetTECH.com.