Addvantage 2015 May

Inside this issue Diversity and Inclusion within USPTA – 40 ReImagine Tennis as Never Before – 42 Tennis Heads to New Orleans in Sept. – 52 Departments: 38 40 42 44 48 50 54 56

CEO’s Message Vice President’s Message Endorsee News Beyond the Court Master Pro Corner USPTA News Career Development Member News

Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com On the cover: Grand Canyon University in ­Phoenix joins USPTA PTM Program. See Page 50.

CEO’s Message

Golf and Tennis: Working Together

by John Embree

S

ince the beginning of the year, I have traveled to industry gatherings with the opportunity to speak about tennis and have discussed the challenges that face our sport. After recently attending a discussion panel comprised of leaders in the golf and club industries, I realized our sport is not alone; golf and tennis are in a similar position.

At the CMAA World Conference on Club Management and Business Expo in San Antonio, several CEOs came together to discuss ways to grow both golf and tennis and overcome the obstacles facing both sports. Serving on that panel were: Peter Bevacqua, CEO of the PGA of America; Jeff Morgan, CEO of CMAA; Rhett Evans, CEO of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America; and Mike Davis, CEO of the United States Golf Association. Many of golf’s concerns raised during the discussion are strikingly parallel to tennis.

One of the PGA’s main goals is to increase value for its members, which is why continuing education and increasing employment opportunities are top priorities, just like they are for USPTA. Both the PGA and USPTA strive to be invaluable resources to current and aspiring professionals as general managers seek well-educated pros. USPTA has worked toward modernizing our education curriculum to make earning credits more accessible to our membership through CoachYouthTennis.com and increased webinars, for ­example.

Golf and tennis recognize the hurdle of an aging membership, and the PGA and USGA have taken steps to reach out to aspiring young professionals. Simi-

38 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

growing the rough longer. Similarly, tralarly, the USPTA established the U30 Initiative to recruit young people to our ditional tennis players don’t want shorter sets and different scoring formats that profession. USPTA has also partnered make the game more accessible for new, with Professional Tennis Manageyoung and senior players. ment programs around the country to Studies show that by introducing a educate and prepare individuals for sport at a young age, careers within the tennis industry at To help increase participation among players tend to stick Ferris State Unithe millennial generation, the tennis with it. Adults can also benefit from versity, Methodist industry has worked to engage that short courts and lowage group through a variety of new University and compression balls to and innovative programming.

Tyler Junior Collearn the game; it’s lege. We are also not just for kids. Tennis has had junior excited about the University of Central team tennis for a long time, and the PGA Florida and Grand Canyon University recently launched junior team golf in coming on stream with PTM programs 2011 with structured leagues in an easier in the next several months to provide scramble format to get kids 13 and under students the opportunity to acquire a college business degree with a specialty involved in the game.

To help increase participation in tennis management. among the millennial generation, the tennis industry has worked to engage that age group through a variety of new and innovative programming. Pilot programs around the country are intended to attract a younger audience by establishing defined times of play, co-ed leagues, and a different scoring format that is easy for people to understand.

Golf is struggling with Just like golf, tennis is also in the course closures, rounds of play are “experience business,” and constantly down, and people are leaving the sport strives to improve the member expebecause of time constraints, expense and how difficult it is to play. The golf rience. Clubs are looking for ways to industry is trying to unite and pull bridge the gap between traditional resources together to focus on joint players and attracting new players to initiatives to face these challenges head the game. Many golf superintendents on, as the tennis industry has been doare under pressure to make golf easier for beginners while traditional golfers ing for over 20 years. Our associations want the game to be harder by placing can learn from each other in order to more pins in more difficult locations and help both of our sports grow. h

Tuffy WINDSCREEN ®

Tuffy Windscreen is America’s toughest

because it is made of our exclusive VIPOL® Matrix, a fabric containing over 50% more micro-fibers than conventional windscreens. All ends and corners are lock-stitched to eliminate the unraveling problem of fully chain-stitched windscreens. Now in 22 colors.

5 YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY

Chroma-Bond® IMPRINTING

Our exclusive double-coating process produces images that do not flake, scuff off, or fade like conventional spray-on or digital prints. Colors completely mask windscreen, so there is no white backside like with digital printing. Images last as long as the windscreen itself … without unsightly fading or chipping. Multi-colors available.

Solid Vinyl Windscreen also available.

Finally, a way to protect chain link fences from high wind damage

Tuffy® BALLASTED WINDSCREEN

PATENTED Tuffy Ballasted Windscreen automatically opens to allow high winds thru . . . NO MATTER THE WIND DIRECTION. Each 5’ wide x 6’ tall unit is attached to fence only at its grommeted top, but units are installed alternately on both sides of the fence. The bottom of each unit has a weighted PVC pipe inserted into a reinforced pocket, engineered to provide the correct ballast to keep windscreen vertical during light winds. In higher velocity winds, it opens proportionally to reduce wind stress on the fence. Since half of the units are on each side of the fence, half opens up no matter which direction the wind blows. Same 22 Tuffy colors. Due to the dynamic action, it carries no expressed or implied warranty.

HUNDREDS HAVE BEEN IN USE BY SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, AND PRIVATE CLUBS FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS. Now fully tested, patented, and ready to protect your fences.

NORMAL POSITION: In calm to low

winds, units stay in vertical position.

Ballasted PVC pipe is in the reinforced pockets at bottom, and top is attached thru grommets.

STORM POSITION: As winds increase, ballasted units open to allow potentially damaging high wind velocities to blow thru, helping to protect both the FENCE and the WINDSCREEN.

All products manufactured by AER-FLO, INC. in Bradenton, FL and Anniston, AL WWW.AERFLO.COM Trademarks owned by AER-FLO, INC. © 2015 AER-FLO, INC.

TIE-UP FEATURE: Built-in hook & loop

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: Each section exerts a minimum of 15 pounds of vertical vector force, providing the engineered right amount of ballast to offset excessive unit billowing in normal sports-playable winds. When constant wind velocities exceed 20 mph, the Ballasted Windscreen system provides a progressively increasing degree of wind force relief thru a series of opening “wind gates”, those units on the fence side in the wind direction. For winds up to 95 mph, wind force reduction may approach 47%, depending on fence post spacing, post diameter, pipe gauge, and steel quality. With units in tiedup position, the net wind force on fence may approach 93% less than that exerted on the same fence with conventional windscreen of same size

strips at top allow one person to roll up and secure entire unit in less than 30 seconds. SAVES COSTLY LABOR TIME in last minute pre-storm preparations. Also fully attached to it. useful for better tournament viewing.

OFFICIAL TENNIS WINDSCREEN of USPTA Sold by the BEST Tennis & Sports DEALERS

PATENT NO. 7,841,378

Vice President’s Message

Diversity and Inclusion within USPTA

W

here are we now with diversity and inclusion? As the 5th Pillar of USPTA's Strategic Plan, we have accomplished the following: • Changed the Diversity Mission Statement to: The USPTA recognizes and appreciates diversity and inclusion within the game of tennis and within its membership of tennis professionals. By promoting the USPTA as a more diverse and inclusive organization, we will enrich the sport of tennis and add a deeper, richer and broader experience for everyone. Diversity and inclusion permits the USPTA and its members to embrace the world and also allows the organization to reflect its society.

• A call for national committee members was sent to the membership. If you have been serving on a divisional committee, then think about serving on a USPTA national committee. Information went out recently looking for candidates for the 2016 – 2018 term. Send your resume and completed questionnaire to uspta@ uspta.org. New committee members will be appointed in the Fall of 2015 following an interview with the ­committee chair.

• USPTA is reviewing their vendors for pricing and diversity.

• Chuck Gill, Trish Faulkner and John Embree attended the 2014 National Diversity and Inclusion Conference in Florida. A USPTA representative will now attend this yearly ­conference.

• Continuing work with the subcommittees, Roles and Responsibilities, Recruitment and Development Strategies and Tactics, and Strategic Plan. We can incorporate all or

40 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

most of this information into all of our five USPTA pillars.

• In the March issue, in honor of Women's History Month, we featured USPTA women members who have had an impact on the tennis industry. USPTA wants to recognize members who are influential with diverse populations in their community. If you create awareness of diversity in your area or you know of a USPTA Professional who has made an impact on his or her community, please send his or her name and a couple of paragraphs of information to magazine@uspta.org.

• Bill Leong, co-chair of the USPTA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, will give a webinar on diversity and inclusion this year.

• USTA offers a wealth of information on their website on Diversity and Inclusion with the USTA Engagement Guide – covering African-Americans, Hispanic, Asian-Americans and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgenders.

Go to usta.com and view this information for your knowledge. See and learn what the future tennis demographics will be in your area.

History of USPTA Diversity and Inclusion • Women’s meetings began in 1978, and in 1980, the first women’s committee chairperson was Charlene Grafton of California. Minutes of this meeting were documented.

• Women were pairing as roommates for conventions and setting practices times for tournament play.

• Many, many meetings and minutes have been documented since then.

The history of the women’s committee is available from USPTA.

by Diane Selke • Since 1927, there has been only one woman national USPTA President, Kathy Woods, and one national USPTA Pro of the Year, Avis Murray.

• The Multicultural Committee began in 1998 due to the USTA Multicultural initiative. The first chairperson was Joe Edles of the Intermountain Division.

• Many meetings were held at divisional and world conferences.

• In 2007 the USPTA conducted a diversity audit. Since then the women’s and multicultural committees were combined to form the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

• Currently women members are 17 percent of the membership. As women serve their families and careers, playing dual roles, they are competing for positions in a male -dominated field. The women want to meet and network separately from the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

• In 2013 and 2014, women members held non-scheduled meetings at the USPTA World Conferences. At this year’s conference in New Orleans, there will be a separate time for a meeting for women to gather and network. All members are welcome to attend this meeting, similarly to every past women’s meeting.

USPTA Awards Don’t forget that the 2015 USPTA Awards period is now open. This is open to any certified member in good standing. Each applicant has to send a nomination form and back-up materials. Go to uspta.com/awards and download the nomination forms, rules and criteria.

Deadline to have everything received by the National Office is July 7. h

Endorsee News

ReImagine Tennis as Never Before

R

eImagine Tennis, a new initiative from Prince and Sport Court International, was a huge hit at the recent TIA Summit and TOM Conference in Indian Wells, Calif., as the program and the new Prince Sport Court were officially introduced. With the introduction of the new courts and the ReImagine Tennis program, tennis can be played on safer, fun and colorful surfaces; tennis can be played anywhere; and tennis can be played by adults and kids alike on official 36' and 60' sized tennis courts with properly sized equipment.

“Sport Court is very excited about the tennis industry’s acceptance of the patented PowerGame surface as a safe tennis surface that can be used as a training court in non-utilized locations at tennis clubs around the country, encouraging family tennis play, and for promotions of clubs and facilities at local shopping malls, sporting events and

42 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

festivals,” said Lee Sponaugle, Directheir parents how to play tennis in a fun tor of Sales, National Accounts, Sport and less intimidating setting. Everyone Court International. can pick up a smaller racquet and foam The likes of Kurt Kamperman, ball and instantly have fun learning the USTA Chief Executive of Community game of tennis.

Tennis, Nick Bollettieri, With the introduction of the new Prince Sport International Tennis Hall of Famer, and Mike Court and the ReImagine Tennis program, tennis can be played on safer, fun and colorful surfaces Ballardie, CEO Prince anywhere.

Global Sports, along with USTA executives, and ­tennis ­facilities owners and manag- In addition to the development ers, all had an opportunity to step on of the 36' and 60' sized tennis courts, – and play on – the Prince Sport Court Prince has also developed racquets and micro-court that was on display. The balls to be used specifically for ReImagmicro-court is a smaller version of the ine Tennis.

USTA-sanctioned 36' and 60' court and Prince Global Sports Director of can be used for training and promoBrand Marketing Paige Miller said, tions for the game of tennis in nontra“People need to see tennis courts move ditional locations. from inside their usual fenced-in loca The two courts that were at the TIA tions to outside, unexpected and famiSummit and TOM Conference will be ly-friendly places. Prince is very excited donated to the local Boys and Girls to ‘ReImagine Tennis’ in ways never Clubs for their use in teaching kids and seen and experienced before.” h

Beyond the Court

America’s First Female Four-Star General Applauds USPTA’s Support of ThanksUSA

W

hen Ann Dunwoody retired in 2012 as the Armed Forces’ first female fourstar general, she could look back at a 38-year Army career and a profound legacy. Chief of Staff of the Army, General Ray Odierno said, “Ann is a leader who lived our Army values, who always led from the front. Her true legacy and reward will be the thousands of soldiers and civilians whose lives she has touched.”

Dunwoody continues to touch thousands, including the children and spouses of America’s soldiers, by signing on to ThanksUSA’s Tennis Thanks the Troops campaign in partnership with USPTA. A national non-profit organization, ThanksUSA provides scholarships to children and spouses of America’s Armed Forces.

Dunwoody is also busy with speeches, the spring release of a book, and plans to play tennis at her USPTA club near her home in Tampa. [Recent hip replacement surgery and travel are interfering – for the moment.]

A chat with Ann Dunwoody: You must be quite the tennis player, having played the sport in college (1971-75). We had tennis teams that competed against other colleges, but back then there were no scholarships or varsity letters for women who excelled in sports. With my incredible (SUNY) coach, Sylvia Stokes, I never even thought about Title IX for women. We felt like an all-star team and had a winning record to support it. I was so happy to be part of a team that I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I learned a lot from winning as I did from losing, and I learned a lot about teamwork and team spirit. Those lifelong lessons stayed with me throughout my military career and made me a better leader and person.

44 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

watched him, I learned from him, and I tried to replicate his moves on the court.

What do tennis and your military career have in common? Fitness and coaching. The military is a very demanding profession, both physically and mentally, and so is tennis. You have to be in great shape and on your toes at all times in both professions. As good players become more senior, they become good coaches to teach and share their experiences with the next generation.

The Army is no different. It is the senior leadership of the Army’s responsibility to teach and coach the next generation waiting on the bench.

Has tennis been a passion for your family? I learned to play tennis from my mom and dad and brothers and sisters back in junior high school. An afternoon on the tennis courts was a family outing for us.

Even after I was in the Army, every visit home involved a tennis match or two with Mom and Dad. When I met my husband, Craig, our first date was a tennis match with the loser having to make dinner. I lost the match, but Craig still made dinner [smiles]. We continued to play tennis, often motivated by my mom who continued to play in her 80s. She was a fierce competitor. I know if there is tennis in heaven, she is on the court right now.

Have you received training from a tennis professional? Yes, I went to Lew Hoad’s tennis camp in Spain back in the 1960s, and got to see first-hand what finesse, talent, and top-notch performance looked like on the court. He inspired all of us in the camp to be better by working hard and not giving up.

Practice, practice, and more practice. I

How important to military families are post-secondary school scholarships, like those from ThanksUSA? I think that great performance and hard work should be rewarded. And that’s exactly what these scholarships do. Reinforcement of good performance inspires even better performance. I think education and sports are both critical components in good leadership. They go hand in hand: Being mentally and physically fit, as well as having the education and the intellectual tools to prepare students for success in the real world.

So you encourage USPTA and tennis enthusiasts everywhere to get involved in supporting our troops. I encourage every organization, tennis, business industry and colleges where I speak, to reach out to welcome our troops home and make sure that their quality of life is equal to their quality of service.

America’s servicemen and women are volunteers. Do we say “thank you” often enough? I think a lot of Americans are trying to help and there are a lot of wonderful organizations that have made a huge difference for our service men and women.

There is always more work to be done. h

Master Pro Corner

Why should you aspire to become a USPTA Master Professional?

By Jack Newman, USPTA Master Professional

W

hen I first began coaching, the cell phone and Internet did not exist. I was extremely interested in becoming a better coach, so I reached out to three others who at that time were considered the best in the country.

I wrote to Jim Loehr, ­Dennis Van der Meer, and Vic Braden. All three were at an extremely high level in their careers at the time. All three responded to my note with a personal letter, answering my questions and encouraging me to keep stretching myself as a coach.

To become a Master Professional, go out and engage current Master Professionals, talk to them, ask them questions, and involve them in your own journey. Each Master Professional started as a beginning coach and progressed through various stages of learning and growth to become who they are today.

While I cannot speak for others, I get excited when younger coaches ask me for my opinion or thoughts about issues that are important to them.

What other steps can you take on the path to becoming a Master Professional?

Whether you are a club pro, a high school coach, a junior developer or work with adults, education is the key to im-

proving yourself as a more elements Education, noun coach. Education can of challenge and The act or process of imparting or mean a broad spectrum fulfillment than ­acquiring general knowledge, developing actually gaining of activities, including the powers of reasoning and judgment, playing competitive the title. Many and generally of preparing oneself or tennis; teaching your coaches I know others intellectually for mature life. students to play; formal are already qualified to be Master education that you might Professionals; they just have not realized receive at a college or university or from it or have not sat down and accumulated our association at conferences; informal their results, education and involvement education that you impart or receive in the game of tennis. from working with your coaching peers; What are the most important things writing about tennis; reading about tennis; watching tennis; and interacting with for you to do if you wish to be a Master your peers in our professional organizaProfessional? tion or other professional organizations.

Becoming a Master Professional 1. Keep records. Keep track of when means that you have taken the time to you begin working with a player, educate yourself in all of the above menhow he did in tournaments, what his tioned ways to gain knowledge so that rankings are and when he moved on. you are prepared to lead a mature life as Keep track of your own rankings. a coach and that you have kept track of Keep track of your visits to conferences and courses. your journey.

2. Become engaged in the educational The reason you should aspire to attain your Master Professional status is to elements the USPTA puts out there become the best coach you possibly can be, for you. Go to conferences and sign thereby developing into the best person up for specialty courses. You will you can be, as well as helping your students meet some of the top coaches in your to the highest level of your capabilities. field and make important contacts.

Like many endeavors, the process 3. Become engaged in your regional of becoming a Master Professional has USPTA or USTA organization. Get on a committee, or volunteer to help with Go out and engage current Master Professionals, some event that is meaningful to you. talk to them, ask them questions, and involve Again you will meet others who are them in your own journey. trying to become their best and you will make contacts that will help you.

4. Become an expert in your local area.

Write tips or articles for the local residential community newsletters or your local tennis association newsletter.

Start small and work your way up. h Jack Newman serves as Austin Tennis Academy’s CEO as well as one of the lead coaches. Newman is a primary coach to Academy players, but also takes on the larger role of leading practice, planning the optimum tournament schedules and organizing the Academy logistics.

48 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA News

Grand Canyon University Joins USPTA PTM Program Family

By Rick Vacek, GCU News Bureau

S

tudents who have a love-atfirst-set attitude about tennis now have another university where they can learn how to make the sport their profession no matter how well they serve and volley.

Grand Canyon University in ­Phoenix has announced that this fall it will introduce the first tennis management program among NCAA Division I schools. The Colangelo College of Business, named after Phoenix sports icon Jerry Colangelo, will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in business management with an emphasis in tennis ­management.

The 120-credit program will be incorporated with the Colangelo School of Sports Business and with the University’s new hospitality program, also being rolled out in the fall. It will be a USPTA-accredited professional tennis management program and will cover the skills needed to manage tennis operations, including facility management, merchandising, event planning and introduction to food and beverage management.

It also will teach player development and the skills needed to become an effective instructor, and students will be required to get at least 100 hours of experience in the industry before they graduate. GCU supports its students with an extensive internship program that includes many sports franchises and companies among its possible destinations.

“If you love business, love tennis and want to be in the industry, this is the way to do it,” said Randy Gibb, Ph.D., dean of the Colangelo College of ­Business. “Your goal could be to become the general manager of a beautiful resort that has golf and tennis, and you’re a tennis player through and through. You can go on the business side or on the hospitality side, or you can work for Prince, Wilson and a

50 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Grand Canyon University joins the USPTA-accredited professional tennis management program and will cover the skills needed to manage tennis operations, including facility management, merchandising, event planning and introduction to food and beverage management.

whole host of other companies.”

GCU, located in one of the foremost resort areas in the country, is one of the nation’s most dynamic and fastgrowing universities, and its athletic program is accelerating at the same rate. The GCU men’s and women’s tennis teams both had a winning record in 2014, their first year in Division I, and the University also has started a club tennis team with a paid coach that competes throughout the school year.

“Business is a popular degree among tennis players, and there are a lot of them going into the tennis business,” GCU tennis coach Greg Prudhomme, USPTA, said. “There’s a demand in the tennis industry for more qualified professionals, and the reason is that there’s not a lot of formal training available.

As a result, most of the people getting

hired are former players.”

GCU also is planning a new tennis facility on campus that will be run by students, but they will be able to gain internship experience elsewhere as well.

“We’re trying to attract students from all around the country,” Prudhomme said. “There are opportunities in the industry. Every few months I get a call from a colleague trying to find someone to fill a job at a resort somewhere.”

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is Arizona’s premier private Christian university and it emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students and the working professional. It also has online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. h

USPTA News

Grass Court Championships Return to Surface Tournament Slate

F

or the first time since 2011, noran Desert nestled in the granite grass will be a part of the boulders of the Pinnacle Peak sumUSPTA Surface Championmit. The club has annually hosted ship Series. The USPTA Grass the USTA Junior Grass & Clay Court Court Championships presented by Championships since 2003 and the PaycheckCity.com will be held May USTA Senior Slam Grass Court Cham29 – 31 at Desert Highlands Racquet pionships since 2012. Desert HighClub in Scottsdale, Ariz. This will be lands was listed as one of the “6 Great the final tournaPlaces to Retire” ment to qualify for Members who play in the surface

by Tennis magachampionships have the opportunity zine in 2006 and the series before to play their way into the USPTA the USPTA Masawarded Court ters Invitational in Masters Invitational ... and earn a of the Year by New Orleans and is portion of the $15,000 prize money. Tennis Industry open for registramagazine in 2000. tion to USPTA-certified Professionals It also serves as a host for ATP World through May 19.

Tour and WTA Tour players preparing Total prize money for the tournaon clay and grass surfaces for upcomment is $6,000 and will feature events ing tournaments. in the following categories: men's and As a benefit to certified members, women's open singles and doubles the surface championships provide competition, men’s and women’s 35 an opportunity to play against other singles, men's and women's 45 singles USPTA Professionals, showcase skills, and doubles, men’s 55 singles and and win prize money. Members who doubles, and men’s 65 singles and play in the surface championships doubles. The club will also host a play- have the opportunity to play their way er party on Saturday, May 30, and all into the USPTA Masters Invitational. tournament participants will receive a The brand new event will be held at gift bag. the 2015 USPTA World Conference Desert Highlands sits in the Soin New Orleans. This tournament,

which replaces the International Championships, gives USPTA-certified Professionals an added opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a portion of the $15,000 prize money, which is the largest amount awarded of all the USPTA tournaments.

Players receive points in both the main draw (if they win at least one match) and in consolation play (if it is offered). In consolation matches, a player or team advancing by default will receive credit for a win as long as that player or team does not default the next match. Doubles players will receive individual rankings.

Entry deadline for the 2015 USPTA Grass Court Championships is May 19. Register online and receive more information at www.usptaplayer.com/ tournaments/734.

The USPTA Surface Championships are open to all USPTA-certified Professionals in good standing. To see the current rankings or learn more about ranking rules, sanctioned tournaments, and tournament regulations and requirements, go to uspta.com/ tournaments. All tournaments are run through usptaplayer.com. h

USPTA Grass Court Championships May 29-31, 2015 Desert Highlands Scottsdale, AZ

USPTA Masters Invitational Sept. 21-23, 2015 Hilton New Orleans Riverside New Orleans, LA

USPTA Hard Court Championships

Nov. 6-8, 2015 Hollytree Country Club Tyler, TX

Visit uspta.com/tournaments for more information.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 51

USPTA News

Tennis Heads to New Orleans in Sept.

F

or the first time, the USPTA is going down to the Big Easy this fall to once again host the premier event in the tennis industry. The 2015 USPTA World Conference is set for Sept. 21-25 at the Hilton New ­Orleans Riverside. It will bring together the leading tennis-teaching professionals and coaches in the industry for a week of education and fun events in one of the most exciting and unique cities in the world – New Orleans.

This event provides the best learning experience for tennis teachers and coaches by offering educational resources, facilitating innovative teaching techniques, and creating networking opportunities among the members of the various associations. USPTA members will earn 8 continuing education credits for a full registration, plus additional credits for courses attended.

All sessions will fall under one of four categories: business, teaching, management and sport science.

The traditional World Conference format returns in 2015 for the first time in two years, when the event was in ­Orlando. Last year, the USPTA partnered with the USTA to co-host the Tennis Teachers Conference in New York. Other highlights of the USPTA event returning include: the USPTA-hosted Buying Show, Silent Auction to benefit the USPTA Foundation, awards luncheon, and registration discounts for first-time attendees, new USPTA members, and three or more USPTA members attending from the same club or facility.

On Tuesday evening, the USPTA will host a welcoming gala at the National WWII Museum, one of the top-rated tourist destinations in New Orleans that offers an unforgettable way to experience World War II. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the first 700 registered attendees who check in at the museum will receive a free ticket to one of three exclu-

52 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

sive showings of the Tom Hanks’ narrated documentary “Beyond All Boundaries.”

The 2015 USPTA Surface Championship season will culminate with the first-ever Masters Invitational finals on Wednesday afternoon. The top point earners from the four USPTA Surface Championships have been invited to participate in the $15,000 Masters Invitational. All conference attendees are invited to enjoy stadium seating and a dinner reception as they cheer on ­USPTA’s top tennis players.

Following the tournament’s finale will be the USPTA division parties. Enjoy the city’s famous culinary scene and nightlife and meet your fellow division members. Each division will announce information on its individual party as it gets closer to the conference.

On Thursday evening, the USPTA will host the largest national tennis-

only trade show. Exhibitors include tennis equipment, apparel and footwear companies, marketers and wholesalers of hard and soft goods, video analysis, Web-based programs and software, teaching aids, court surfacing and lighting, awards, educational materials, nutrition bars and vitamins, and more.

A reception will be held in conjunction with the Buying Show and the silent auction, which benefits the USPTA Foundation. The 501 (c)(3) charitable organization is devoted to fund programs that help economically disadvantage people learn tennis.

Capping the weeklong festivities and education will be an awards luncheon on Friday at noon. The USPTA annually honors members who are committed to excellence as tennis teachers and as ambassadors using tennis to impact people and communities. All conferences attendees are invited for a lunch and presentation.

Nominations are now being accepted through July 7, 2015. Details and forms are available at www.uspta.com/awards.

Early bird registration will begin early this summer and go through Aug. 31. Registration rates also available are: spouse/guest registration, daily rates and specialty courses. A full schedule will be available once speakers and times are confirmed. Stay tuned for more details in the next issue. h

2015 USPTA World Conference Sept. 21-25 Hilton Riverside New Orleans Room rate: $121/night + taxes & fees Parking: $10/day (USPTA discount)

Schedule of Events: Tuesday: Welcoming Gala at the National WWII Museum Wednesday: USPTA Masters Invitational and Division Parties Thursday: Buying Show and Silent Auction Friday: Awards Luncheon For more information visit www.uspta.com/conference.

Career Development Exams, Upgrades & PTCA I

Conventions (5 credits)

(4 credits for PTCA I segment) May 2

Mt. Kisco, N.Y.

May 2-3

Big Rapids, Mich.

May 2-3

Sedona, Ariz.

May 9-10

May 14-16

Southern Division Convention Charlotte, N.C.

May 26-31

Florida Division Convention Naples, Fla.

Pacific Northwest June 5

Division Convention TBD

Huntington Beach, Calif.

May 10

Conway, Ark.

May 10

St. Louis, Mo.

May 15-16 Houston* May 16

Pensacola, Fla.

May 16-17

Charlotte, N.C.

May 16

Des Moines, Iowa

May 18

Vienna, Va.

* 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.

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.

If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.

54 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

TAUT Workshops

May 16

(2 credits)

Altamonte Springs, Fla.

May 18

Sioux Falls, S.D.

May 23

Farmington, Vt.

May 23

New Orleans

May 1

St. Paul, Minn.

May 21

Washington, D.C.

May 3

Mt. Kisco, N.Y.

May 26

Bismarck, N.D.

May 9

Staunton, Va.

May 28

Fargo, N.D.

May 9

Lewisburg, Pa.

May 29

Naples, Fla.

May 9

Fremont, Calif.

May 30

Denver

May 9

Destin, Fla.

May 31

Glendale, Wis.

May 15

Charlotte, N.C.

June 6

Barrington, Ill.

May 15

Titusville, Fla.

June 6

Edina, Minn.

May 16

Springfield, Mo.

June 6

Mayodan, N.C.

May 16

Palm Coast, Fla.

June 6

West Palm Beach, Fla.

May 16

Fort Collins, Colo.

June 20

Schunectady, N.Y.

May 16

Pensacola, Fla.

June 20

Portland, Maine

May 16

Charlottesville, Va.

June 20

Philadelphia

May 16

Palmetto Bay, Fla.

June 26

San Francisco

Go to www.coachyouthtennis.com for more workshops or to register.

Education requirements All USPTA-certified Professionals must earn 6 education credits in a three-year period to remain current. Go to USPTA.com/Education for a partial list of eligible activities. Please send verification (email, letter, certificate, receipt, etc.) that shows you attended the event/activity and submit it along with the date and agenda to education@uspta.org to receive your credit. (International members, Recreational Coaches and those over the age of 65 are exempt.) ­Questions? Write to education@uspta.org or call 800-877-8248, ext. 147.

Member News • The Washington University-St. Louis Bears not only played well, but also carried themselves well to earn the inaugural ITA Team Sportsmanship Award at the 2015 ITA Division III National Women’s Team Indoor Championship.

Led by head coach Kelly Stahlhuth, USPTA, Wash U.-St. Louis matched a program-best finish at the event by reaching the semifinals and finishing in fourth place. The Bears’ on- and off-court demeanor was recognized by the participating coaches as deserving of the award, which is presented to the team that has displayed exceptional sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and college tennis during the championship. Wash U.-St. Louis will receive a plaque for earning this honor. The team has had two semifinal appearances at this event in the last four years.

• USPTA Elite Professional Kyle LaCroix has been promoted to Assistant Director of Tennis at The Oaks of Boca Raton (Fla.). In

his previous role as head tennis professional, he was instrumental in helping manage, organize and oversee numerous aspects of the tennis operations.

LaCroix is also heavily involved in the USPTA, participating in events, meetings and continuing education. Most recently, in 2014 the USPTA awarded LaCroix with the George Basco National Tester of the Year Award for his role in mentoring, administering and certifying many new tennis teaching professionals.

• Claudio Armandi was recently named the 2014 USPTA Eastern Division Professional of the Year. The honor is awarded annually to a USPTA member in the Eastern Division who demonstrates a significant contribution to tennis. ­Armandi is a ­USPTA-certified tennis Professional, specializing in 10 and Under programming and high performance train-

ing. He is the Founder & CEO of Armandi Tennis Consulting, a national consulting company that helps clubs and organizations raise their revenue through innovative programming solutions.

• Oncourt Offcourt President Joe Dinoffer, USPTA, and veteran Midwest tennis leader Rod Schroeder, USPTA, sign a distribution agreement for Schroeder’s patented Start Rite Grip Trainer. This unique and popular training aid was formerly distributed by tennis company Balle de Match as the Yippee Grip Trainer. According to Schroeder, the training aid’s inventor, “This is the first racquet sport grip aid that is easy to use, durable, and works quickly. One of the biggest challenges for players and coaches is to start with the continental grip on the serve. The Start Rite Grip Trainer meets this challenge,” Dinoffer said. “Rod’s Start Rite Grip Trainer is one of the best training aids in the world and fits perfectly into our product line and distribution network. We are excited to have this opportunity.” The Start Rite Grip Trainer is available for under $3 each and sells in packs of one dozen. Visit OncourtOffcourt.com or contact the company for a free 96-page 20th Anniversary catalog. Call toll free in the United States 888-366-4711.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Arizona Special Olympians took to the courts at Troon Country Club (Scottsdale, Ariz.) in the 5th annual Tennis Fun Day on Saturday, Jan. 24. Mark Pachtner, director of tennis at Troon Country Club, coordinated the event that attracted more than 170 participants. Tennis Fun Day is a well-established fundraiser for the Special Olympics Arizona, raising more than $13,000 from this year’s event. During the free Tennis Fun Day of clinics and exhibitions, local tennis professionals, including USPTA Pros Pachtner, Mark Frampton, John DeBoer, Ivan Rodriquez and Karen Weir, covered the basics of the sport of tennis and taught certain basic tennis skills for the special Olympians. Each athlete received a commemorative Fun Day T-shirt, free tennis racquet and a gold medal for participation. Athletes and volunteers also enjoyed a visit from therapy dogs from the Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue Connection.

ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite 202 Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 / 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 email – magazine@uspta.org

56 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.

President First Vice President

Tom McGraw Chuck Gill

Vice Presidents

Past President CEO Legal Counsel

Alan Cutler Jack Michalko Dan Moster Diane Selke Gary Trost

TM

Tom Daglis John Embree George Parnell

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. 2015. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.