ADDvantage August 2019

August 2019

USPTA National Head Tester Sid Newcomb (Front left)and Tester Kelvin Rivera (left) with USPTA applicants at the Dorado Beach and Resort Club in Puerto Rico.

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USPTA FROM THE CEO

USPTA DIVISIONS ROCK! John R. Embree USPTA CEO

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obody can dispute that our divisional structure is one of the strengths of our association. Having 17 democratically elected entities that serve as the administrative arm of USPTA is paramount if we expect to service our entire membership across the country.

Being geographically aligned with the 17 USTA sections is also vital if we expect to grow the game. I have said it before, and I will say it again: we cannot do it alone.

We must be aligned and work with the governing body to have any impact on bringing new players into our sport.

Anytime I have an opportunity to visit one of our annual division conferences, I jump at the chance. I relish the time in the field to witness the wonderful work that our divisions do to produce two-three days of outstanding education. It is a genuine pleasure to see division boards working in concert with the division executive directors to create such a positive experience for the attendees. To put on a complex event every year requires months of planning by all involved. It cannot happen without the volunteers and paid staff members working hand in hand to deliver a superior program.

I enjoy meeting members whom I have not met previously or getting reacquainted with those whom I have encountered over my many years in the industry. Shame on me when I don’t remember the name of a familiar face!

The benefit of these conferences goes beyond the continuing education requirements needed to be a member in good standing. It is the camaraderie that is exhibited between USPTA professionals who have known

The 2019 Pacific Northwest Conference in Seattle this past June set a record for attendance.

each other for many years or for the acquaintanceships that are developed anew. One cannot underestimate the value that comes from networking with your fellow professionals, learning how to address challenges that everyone in this business experiences, discovering job opportunities that might fit your skill set and picking up ideas that can make your job easier and more successful.

I was reminded of all these factors while visiting the Pacific Northwest Division Conference the first weekend in June. Not only was the board welcoming and their hospitality exceptional, they put on a great show that exceeded everyone’s expectations. The conference set a record for attendance, was hosted at a fabulous club in Seattle, and hit a home run with two and a half days of really good seminars. There is no way that anyone left that conference without picking up some pointers that will improve their business back at their own facilities.

My intent here is not just to put PNW on a pedestal, because all the division conferences held in 2019 have been awesome. Board representatives who attended them have raved about their experience at each one. Across the nation, we are delivering better education than the year before.

What is also wonderful to see is the collaboration that is evolving between the respective USTA sections and our corresponding divisions. While our status as being a fully accredited tennis-teaching organization by USTA is taking shape, it is clear our division leadership is working hand in hand with USTA section leadership to create a partnership that will impact tennis programs in the marketplace. A manifestation of this collaboration is

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USPTA the fact that eight USTA Sections have now crafted formal agreements with their USPTA counterparts to help each other in support of our missions to grow the game. I expect to see more of these agreements come to fruition by year end.

But it is not just the annual division conferences that we administer. Our members have come to expect other regional education days throughout the calendar year at varying locations spread over the division landscape.

In fact, we calculated that more than 120 educational events were held in 2018 that were just as inspiring as the annual division conventions. These occasions are also administered by the volunteer leadership of the division along with the massive support of the executive directors.

Make no mistake, the USPTA is an education and certification body, dedicated to raising the standards

24

SEPTEMBER

The boards of directors of USTA Florida and USPTA Florida signed their fourth consecutive two-year collaboration agreement at their joint leadership meeting.

of our membership so that they can deliver the best experience possible to the tennis-playing consumer. If you are a USPTA professional who has not taken the time or made the commitment to invest in your career by going to these many educational offerings, you are missing out.

Sarah Stone

Kathy Toon

Debbie G. Shaffer

Publicly, I extend my sincerest thanks to the division executive directors and their volunteer boards who work tirelessly on behalf of their membership. The USPTA can not be what it is today without your commitment to deliver stellar programming for your constituents.*

Marianne Werdel

Katie Dellich

Rosie Bareis

USPTA WORLD CONFERENCE

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Carrie Zarraonandia

Michele Krause

Kim Bastable

Amanda Fink

Paula Scheb

WOMEN’S SPEAKER DAY

The Positive Coaching Alliance-Double-Goal Coach, Culture, Practices and Games Carrie Zarraonandia

Creating Space on Groundstrokes Sarah Stone

How to Incorporate Fitness Into Your Programming and Why it’s Good For Your Business Michele Krause

Building a Championship Culture at Your Club Kathy Toon Re-Defining the Tennis Parent Marianne Werdel and Debbie Graham Shaffer Creative Programming for Adults Katie Dellich One Doubles System For All Levels of Play Rosie Bareis

Athlete-Centered Coaching: Pursuit of Performance AND Personal Excellence Kim Bastable How Your Personality Can Make Your Coaching Shine Amanda Fink The Future is Bright: Unique Business Tips For Success Paula Scheb

VISIT USPTAWC.COM

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USPTA

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6/19/2019 9:04:28 AM 6/10/19 2:04 PM

USPTA FIRST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE reason for that.

“I have tried to keep on achieve anything We placed a None with my striving because worthwhile. responsibility on of us are Arthur this is the only hope I have Ashe, but we all can you, our members, of ever achieving anything take his message and you stepped up to the plate and worthwhile and lasting.” to heart. knocked it out of the Every time you - Arthur Ashe park, or should I say “aced it.” make the effort to So when the USTA learn, you are developing a * generously offered us a skill set that can be passed group of US Open tickets, on to your colleagues, your it made perfect sense to students and possibly a make sure those members young pro who has not yet who have done the most had the opportunity to to earn those continuing experience what you have

by Feisal Hassan, education credits be offered been able to in your career.

USPTA First Vice President the opportunity to attend.

You are well aware Our members already of all of the great receive the benefit of tickets continuing education hen the USTA offered a collection to many of the Open Series opportunities offered of tickets to the opening week events. All of that information at USPTA. We will of the US Open as a part of being fully available on the USPTA continue to promote some of the best accredited, it presented the national staff website at uspta.com/openseries, but opportunities like our Leadership with a dilemma. How exactly would they the US Open is the most special event Academy, at which I have the honor of decide on who were to receive tickets to in our sport. It is the highlight of the presenting, and of course the World the US Open? The solution to this “good” tennis season here in the United States, Conference in Las Vegas next month, problem to have was quickly fleshed the showcase for the game we love. your division conference, a local regional out: offer the tickets to the USPTA’s top We understand that this benefit was education day, or one of the free USPTA educational earners from the previous significant and wish we were able to online webinars will help you to achieve year, 2018. extend it to more of our members. We something “worthwhile and lasting.”

In 2013, the USPTA agreed to the thank the USTA for their generosity So those who will be able to take requirement of educational credits as and hope this perk inspires others to advantage of US Open tickets, a mandate to maintain certification. continue to grow and learn. congratulations of what you have It was met with general approval and Continuing education is about more done. I hope this token of appreciation excitement at upgrading the association than maintaining your certification may inspire others to increase their standards, but yes, there was a little and being eligible for Open tickets. It’s engagement with our association for push back. We understood that this about bettering yourself as a tennis this year, and inspire us all to keep requirement could be looked at as a professional and as a person. It was the on striving. sticking point with our members. In great USPTA professional Arthur Ashe keeping in line with our Association’s who said, “I have tried to keep on with Now for a little housekeeping... stated mission to elevate the standards my striving because this is the only This year is the end of the 3-year of tennis-teaching professionals and hope I have of ever achieving anything educational cycle. If you are in need of coaches, this change was necessary. worthwhile and lasting.” credits to maintain your certification, Continuing education has become a That quote can be interpreted a few you should have received an email or two cornerstone of our certification and was different ways, but to me it is a statement letting you know where you currently integral in meeting our requirements by one of the best players to ever step stand and how you can fulfill your for accreditation with the USTA. We on the court, one of the most intelligent educational credit requirements. are the only fully accredited tennismen to play our game. He acknowledged Visit USPTA.com/GetYourSix teaching association by the national that even he must continue to strive, and you will be offered a host of free governing body and the educational continue to learn and continue to expand opportunities to earn those credits component of the USPTA is a significant his knowledge base if he truly wanted to before the end of the year. *

KEEP ON STRIVING

W

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* PHOTO CREDIT: CATWALKER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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6/19/2019 9:04:32 AM

MASTER PRO CORNER

THE POWER OF CHARTING

Fernando Velasco USPTA Master Pro

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hen my children were playing junior competitive tennis in the 1980s, whenever we would travel in Texas, most of the time they were playing in three different tournament sites. There was only one me to be able to watch them and coach them.

So, I developed a very simple charting system that my wife would be able to track. When we would meet in a central location for lunch/dinner, she would share the results with me. It was not as sophisticated as the technology available today, but it was an incredible tool to see the things they did right and the items that needed to be adjusted.

The following items were important to track: • First Serves • Second Serves • Double Faults • Return errors (FH or BH) • FH/BH • Overhead/Lobs • Drop Shots • Volleys • Good shots got a “+” • Errors got a “- “ • Winning shots got a “W” The most important part for me to analyze was the sequence of the points won/lost: such as, did they win the game when down 0-30? 0-40? 15-40? 40-40?

Or, did they take advantage of being ahead 30-0? 40-0? 40-15? Ad ins? etc.

That was a huge help for their next

match or practice session. My children were taught and coached by my associate pros and I would share that information with them so they could come up with a game plan for them.

My academy players thought that it was a great tool. We trained all the players to do the charts. Whenever they were together in a group, the winner of a match would chart the next player on her/his division. The one that lost, needed to regroup. They found this to be of great value.

I have shared my chart with hundreds of players and parents. Some parents even took pictures and sent them to me to evaluate between sets and/or matches.

Some of the positive things about charting are: • Keeps parents and coaches focused on the match and not distracted • Keep the emotions down • Forces them to look for positive items and constructive data • Helps when reviewing a match with the coach • Keeps history of the match in case they play against each other again • Gives tools to the pro for things to work on the next session

spends doing it, giving me a chance to review my match afterward. This gives me the tools to continue striving to improve my game.

In my last tournament in Austin, which was a USTA Super Category II Tournament, my wife charted me. The final match vs the Number 2 seed took two hours and forty-five minutes.

Reviewing the match, I was able to see that: • I served 88 percent of my firsts serves in the first set, 82 percent on the second, and 75 percent on the third set.

• I had no double faults • I lost the first set 5-7 and won 36 points vs 39 • I won the second set 6-1 and won 31 points vs 22 • I won the third set 6-1 and won 31 vs 20 points • Overall, I won 98 points vs 81 • At the net, I won 20 points and missed three volleys • I was successful with winning 18 drop shots (a big asset on the 75 and over players…)

Items that need to be improved are: • Service returns from the ad court • Top spin backhands to get more depth Some of the negatives are: • Inside out forehands to the opponent’s • Shows mistakes (that is part of the game) backhand • Takes a disciplined person to sit there for two/three hours writing stats Since we get to play each other often in local, state and national tournaments, I After my children grew up, it became usually keep these charts for about a year. a tool for them to watch their own It helps me when and if playing against children and use the charts. My wife of the same player again. Try it!! You may be 50 plus years still charts every one of surprised of the things you may learn as a my matches. I appreciate the time she parent, coach and/or player.* Fernando Velasco was born in La Paz, Bolivia in 1943. Most of his young life, he lived in Cochabamba where he excelled in swimming, diving, soccer, track and field and tennis.

He is one of ten Tennis Professionals who as 2016 has achieved a Master Category on both PTR and USPTA. Fernando has been a guest speaker at local, regional and national conventions of the PTR, USPTA, CMMA, USTA, and IHRSA. He has written several articles published in local, national and regional newsletters and publications.

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INSIDE COACHING CONTROLLING your EMOTIONS IN TENNIS

USPTA

D

byby Boris Fetbroyt, Dr. Allen Fox, USPTA USPTA Elite Elite Professional Professional

arwin would have it that emotional responses generally evolve because they, in some way, enhance prospects for species survival.

In other words, they are supposed to be helpful. Unfortunately, in tennis matches, the opposite is too often the case. Certain emotions, in particular, those involving anxiety and escape, can and often do become extraordinarily counterproductive. They frequently make players lose to opponents who are physically and technically inferior.

The analysis to follow will point out why this is so and what one can do about it.

By its nature, tennis is an emotional game. Of course, it may not look it from the outside, but it is constructed to be a one-on-one, non-contact fistfight. It is inherently antagonistic since each player uses his tennis tools to break down his opponent. It is a battle of wills, where players compete for physical and mental dominance, where threat and intimidation can play significant roles, and where one contestant ends up superior to the other. This makes the emotional stakes far greater than they appear. In fact, we are genetically programmed to fight for superiority in such situations. It makes playing closely-contested matches stressful; it makes winning them emotionally important and uplifting and makes losing them painful.

Thus, for the serious tennis competitor, the emotional stakes of match-play are high. The problem is that the outcome is not controllable.

It is an unpleasant fact of life that no matter how hard one trains, and

how well one concentrates, and how perfectly one controls one’s emotions, one cannot assure victory against an opponent of near-equal ability. The scary truth of competition is that you can do everything right and still lose.

This is the structure for a potentially stressful and unpleasant state of affairs, one tailor-made for stress, anxiety, and escapism.

The usual means of escape from the stress, uncertainty, and uncontrollability of a tennis match is to become angry, make excuses, focus on and complain about “problems,” or simply give up. It is neither a conscious nor productive decision, but it is quite normal. It is the exceedingly rare (or abnormal) individual who can remain rational, unemotional, and practical in an important match when things are going wrong and the prospects of

failure loom. Unlike great pros like Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova, most players cannot. And since they can’t simply pack their bags and run off court, their alternative is to mentally check out by becoming angry, focusing on “problems,” or giving up, all of which are forms of escapism in that they temporarily insulate the players from the stress and impending pain of defeat.

These are emotional proclivities that don’t go away. So, the players must overpower them with the practical, logical parts of their brains. It’s not easy because emotions fire more quickly than thought; they warp the thought processes; and even though players might understand these reactions are counterproductive, logic and emotions don’t mix. In the throes of strong emotion, logic is usually the first casualty.

By its nature, tennis is an emotional game.

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INSIDE COACHING How do tennis pros and coaches handle this? Ultimately, players have to be convinced to overpower their counterproductive emotions with their logic systems. This requires pros/ coaches to have verbal talent, people skills, and patience as they must come at the problem repeatedly from different logical angles over longer periods of time than seems reasonable.

Their most powerful weapon is, of course, the player’s desire to win, and the pros/coaches must be mentally agile enough to use this in ways that make an impact on the player. He/she must have enough “feel” to somehow get to the player’s head.

And it’s not a matter of simply giving the players information. The information itself is obvious, and everyone is well aware that losing one’s head makes one lose. The problem is getting players to do something about it. Players must decide at a deep level to overpower counterproductive emotional urges. This is difficult because the player’s urges to escape from stress, uncertainty, and frustration are natural, powerful, and unending. Players must exert constant conscious vigilance. Like an alcoholic on the wagon, the player must maintain constant mental vigilance lest backsliding occurs.

Pros and coaches sometimes wonder why players seem to “get it” for a while but then so frequently relapse and revert. Yes, they understand the issues at some level, but they don’t really get it deeply enough. And by “getting it,” I mean that they haven’t committed deeply enough to overpowering their escapist proclivities. They think that they have, but they haven’t.

They are really cured only when the light bulb in their head goes off and they irrevocably decide that they are simply not going to do those counterproductive things that make them lose anymore, regardless of anything that may happen on-court.

Instituting these behavioral changes requires powerful motivation and players rarely have it immediately.

How do I know the problem is motivation rather than information?

Consider this: If I were to go on court with a gun, point it at their heads, and tell them if they become angry, make excuses, or stop trying during a match I will instantly run out and shoot them. I would bet that as long as I am standing on the sideline brandishing my gun, they won’t allow their emotions to go haywire. Of course, I haven’t done brain surgery. I haven’t touched them.

I’ve just motivated them to control

USPTA

themselves. This tells me that when players want to change badly enough, they will do so immediately. The function of the pro/coach is merely to convince them to do so.

The process takes time and involves relapses. It is up to the verbal and intellectual skill of the pro/coach to come at the old problems from new angles so that the player is constantly motivated to continue the process.

In my experience, a “cure” (and there will always be occasional relapses) generally takes one or two years. I have never seen it happen immediately, although I am still hoping.*

Dr. Allen Fox earned a Ph.D. in psychology at UCLA and is a former NCAA champion, Wimbledon quarterfinalist and three-time member of the U.S. Davis Cup team. Dr. Fox also coached the Pepperdine University tennis team to two NCAA finals, and his latest book on the mental game is: “Tennis: Winning the Mental Match.”

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BEYOND THE COURT The Valuable Lessons: A USPTA Professional recounts the best lessons provided to him from his father.

by Kyle La Croix, USPTA Elite Professional

T

here will always be impactful own pursuit of the game. But one day, people in our lives. But sometimes he grabbed an old racquet out of my bag it is left up to us to extract those with worn strings and a disintegrating nuggets of guidance and wisdom from grip and asked me to play with him. them for our own well-being. My What followed was a moment of true career as a USPTA tennis teaching brilliance. His groundstrokes were professional has been guided by three purposeful in their delivery but lacking distinct lessons that a special man had the technical pretense of a pro tour provided me. He never told me what player. We drilled and he executed. Side they were: he just lived them every to side and up and back, our tennis was day to the best of over as quickly as his abilities or in it began. some cases, his Looking inabilities. Who back on these was this mentor? formative years, I He was a witnessed habits man who could and philosophies compete with the performed by my best of them, but mentor that were his actions spoke not discussed even louder. but rather done One of the most and executed to gifted athletes the finest degree I ever saw, he of intensity and stood at 6’1” craftsmanship. It and 185lbs. He is funny that the was a wonderful biggest impact basketball player he had on me was when he was not on my tennis younger with LaCroix’s mentor did what he felt was right. game, but on my a silky smooth philosophy of arsenal developed on the streets and business. This framework helped me in gyms of the Philadelphia suburbs where my growth as a tennis professional. he grew up. He was also a baseball pitcher who possessed a knack for Forge Your Own Path delivering the perfect pitch based on the Never one to follow the crowd or do count time and time again. I only played what was expected, my mentor did what tennis with him once but I distinctly he felt was right. A corporate culinary remember it in three stages: the first career led him to own and operate two time, the last time and never again. successful restaurants. When everyone He never spoke of enjoying tennis told him to play safe and stick with the and never showed an interest in my corporate gig, he worked hard and made

the dream a reality. Instead of settling for a small piece of market share by imitating the competition, he created a dining culture unlike all the others.

He encouraged me to find my own way and to think differently than my peers. He emphasized the importance of independence and being an original, pushing my chosen industry forward. He was always willing to support any idea or ambition I had in sports, travel and life.

He always hoped I forged vivid memories and experiences that would make my future endeavors that much richer.

The Lesson: Don’t focus and

compare yourself to the competition.

Change the paradigm and make your club, business or yourself a precious commodity and a model for others to follow. Instead of asking “what are they doing?” you need to start wondering “what can I be doing?”

The Value of Hard Work

My mentor always stressed working full days. Never when I was a junior did I hear of him calling in sick, getting in late or leaving early. Nor did I hear him complain about the long hours, physical labor or the issues with customers and clients. He just simply worked and he did it with a focus and intensity that was rare. It was measured, precise, organized and purposeful. He never had a bad word spoken about him from his staff, his friends or any customers.

He was reliable and his word was more than just lip service, it was his bond and his true character. That work ethic he displayed for numerous decades won over many people, helped the

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BEYOND THE COURT

business grow and made many people comfortable sums of money from which to live. But the person that benefited the most from it was himself. The pride of a job well done was his greatest thrill.

infatuation of “making it nice” came from self-pride and the general principle that the product says more about the philosophy, culture and quality of the business than anything else.

The customer has one shot to like it and it is critical that they are blown away by it their first time. If it’s something he had even the slimmest doubt on, it would be scrapped and started from scratch. Because of this, the customers raised their standards and my mentor never had to lower his. He built a culture of excellence and he built it from upholding the standards from which he never deviated.

The Lesson: There are many things

The Lesson: Quantity

There are many things you can’t control in life, but one that you can is your own personal effort.

you can’t control in life, but one that you can is your own personal effort. It is a reflection of you as an employee, a person and a leader. The smile of satisfaction when your head lays down on your pillow at night not only signifies a job well done, it instills motivation and discipline for you to do something bigger the next day..

Never Compromise on Quality Putting out the best product or service should not seem like a chore, it should seem like a habit. Never being one to accept mediocrity, my mentor was merciless when it came to “making it nice”. Whether he was hosting an event for a group of 50 or 500 people, his attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond to enhance the quality and experience at his restaurants was admirable. He was obsessed with perfection and his staff knew if he got his hands on it, he would turn it into something special. This

Reach out to your mentor and find out what

is something you can philosophies guided them. count but quality is something you can count on. Impress Oddly enough, our relationship was your students and customer base never that strong and at times, it was by providing them a memorable tumultuous. The mentor that I am experience. Don’t skimp on the details referring to in this article just so happens and don’t be content on “just getting to be my father. by”. Students will recognize the Charles LaCroix lost his battle with difference and will make your lessons, cancer on January 24, 2019. I never got programs and club a routine part a chance to sit down and thank him of their life and their own culture of or discuss with him these lessons he excellence. You raise their standards showed to me. I wish I had done so to of acceptance on how tennis should be learn even more and make myself even taught, served and provided and they better. When you get a chance, reach will share with you their two most out to your mentor or parent. Find out precious commodities; their time what valuable lessons and philosophies and money. guided them.*

Kyle LaCroix is currently the Head Tennis Professional at The Oaks at Boca Raton.

A USPTA member since 2004, He is also a USPTA Florida Division Tester. He is a two-time Florida Division Tester of the Year (2010 and 2012). Kyle was also named the 2011 USPTA Florida Division District Professional of the Year. He’s a graduate of the Ferris State University’s Professional Tennis Management Program (PTM) and holds an MBA from The University of Michigan.

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USPTA 2019 USPTA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2019 USPTA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES D

uring the 2019 USPTA World Conference in Las Vegas next month, our association will honor former Stanford Women’s and Men’s Tennis Coaches Frank Brennan Jr. and Dick Gould for their tremendous contributions to the game of tennis and to the USPTA. The USPTA Hall of Fame is the association’s highest honor and serves as a place to recognize excellence in the tennis profession and commitment to USPTA, the world’s oldest and largest association of tennis-teaching professionals. The award was renamed in honor of the late Tim Heckler, who served as the CEO of the USPTA for 30 years, from 1982-2012. Both Brennan Jr. and Gould will join a reputable list of great tennis-teaching professionals such as Arthur Ashe, Nick Bollettieri, Jimmy Evert, Doris Hart, Rick Macci, Pancho Segura, etc.

Frank Brennan Jr.

As the head coach for the women’s tennis team at Stanford University for 21 years, Frank Brennan Jr. posted

a 510-50 record along with winning the NCAA record 10 intercollegiate national team championships, NCAA record 22 combined team, singles and doubles national championships, NCAA record six consecutive intercollegiate national championships, and a NCAA record 65 tournament match wins. Along with his NCAA records, Brennan Jr. reached the NCAA Final Four 18 times in 19 years, recorded four undefeated seasons in 1982,1984, 1989 ,1990), coached 40 players to 94 All-America honors and 22 players to 45 All-Pac-10 honors. As a member of the USPTA for 53 years, Brennan Jr. won many USPTA accolades for his incredible tennis coaching career. He is a twotime USPTA Coach of the Year and a six-time USPTA NorCal Coach of the Year.

Dick Gould

The winningest coach in NCAA men’s tennis history, legendary Stanford head coach Dick Gould guided the Cardinals to 17 NCAA championships in his 38

Gould (left) and Brennan (right) will be inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame for their tremendous contribution to the game of tennis and to the USPTA.

seasons. After playing collegiately for Stanford, he took over as head coach of the men’s program from 1967-2004, and continued to work in the athletic department until his official retirement on Jan. 15, 2018 as the John L. Hinds Director of Tennis, wrapping up a Stanford career that spanned 57 years. As the head coach, he led Stanford to a 776-148 overall record, produced 50 All-Americans, 10 NCAA singles champions and seven NCAA doubles titlists. Over a fouryear stretch from 1995-98, Stanford won four straight NCAA crowns, going 28-0 in 1998 while losing only three dual-match points the entire season.

For a 34-year period, every four-year letter winner earned at least one NCAA championship ring. An innovator both on and off-court, Gould spearheaded fundraising efforts, including one of the first personal seat license programs and raised funds to create endowments that went towards building the Taube Family Tennis Stadium, coaching and assistant coaching positions, athletics scholarships, operations and facility maintenance and repair.*

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CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Exams, Upgrades & PTCA

Online education

4 Credits for PTCA I Segment Exams, Upgrades & PTCA Aug. 2.............................. West Orange, NJ Aug. 2 – 3 .............................. Franklin, TN Aug. 2 – 3 .............................Granbury, TX Aug. 3 ..............................Mission Hills, KS Aug. 3 – 4 .......................... Tallahassee, FL Aug. 3 – 4................ Huntington Beach, CA Aug. 4 .....................Hilton Head Island, SC Aug. 5 – 6 ................................Denver, CO Aug. 5 – 6 ...................... San Francisco, CA Aug. 8 .......................................Darien, CT Aug. 9 ................................ Millersville, PA Aug. 10 – 11 ..................... Johns Creek, GA Aug. 10 – 11 ......................Lutherville, MD Aug. 10 – 11 ....................... Boca Raton, FL Aug. 11 .................................... Chicago, IL Aug. 11 ............................. Brentwood, TN Aug. 14 – 15 ........................Cincinnati, OH Aug. 24 ............................Cottonwood, AZ Aug. 24 ..............................Des Moines, IA Aug. 24 ............................... Eau Claire, WI Aug. 26 – 27 ............................Queens, NY Sep. 7 ................................Midlothian, VA Sep. 7 – 8 .............................. Portland, OR Sep. 7 – 8 ...................................Aurora, IL Sep. 9 – 10 .............................. Orlando, FL Sep. 13 .......................... Minneapolis, MN Sep. 13 – 14 ........................... Houston, TX Sep. 14 – 15 .............................. Rome, GA Sep. 15 – 16 ...........................Burbank, CA Sep. 16 – 17 ...........................Berkeley, CA Sep. 19 – 20 ............................. Tucson, AZ Sep. 26 – 27 .........................Las Vegas, NV Sep. 29 ..................... West Bloomfield, MI Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade. PTCA I is included in the two day exam. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly.

USPTA

2019 USPTA Division Conference Schedule Division Conferences - 6 Credits Aug. 15 – 16 .....Midwest Summer Symposium Western Southern Open; Cincinnati, OH

Sep. 23 – 26 .............USPTA World Conference

Westgate Las Vegas; Las Vegas, NV

Oct. 19 - 20.......................Southern California Sea Cliff; Huntington Beach, CA

Nov. 8 -9 ...................................Middle States Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington,DE

Watch webinars, seminars, On Court with USPTA episodes, specialty courses and much more on TennisResources.com to earn your education credits.

Sep. 27 – 28 ................... Certification Course USPTA World Conference; Las Vegas, NV

WHEELCHAIR Tennis Aug.1................................................Dallas, TX Oct. 24 – 25 .................................. Orlando, FL

IPTPA Pickleball Certification Workshop

Nov. 15 – 16 ................... Certification Course Atlanta, GA Sep. 22.......................................Las Vegas, NV Oct. 20......................................... Phoenix, AZ

Platform tennis

October 1 – 2................................... Paoli, PA October 5 – 6.................. Briarcliff Manor, NY October 14 – 15..................Chevy Chase, MD October 18 – 19....................... Rochester, NY

Padel 2019 Level 1 Certification Dates Sep. 19 – 20 ..............................Lowell, AK

National Open AND 5.5 Team Championships Benefiting the American Cancer Society

Sep. 27 – 29................................Las Vegas, NV

Darling Tennis Center/Spanish Trail CC For a team number, questions or other info, e-mail Sue Johnson Maurer:sjohnson@swbell.net

USPTA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

The USPTA Leadership Academy is laser focused coaching on key tennis industry leadership principles. Led by USPTA members Feisal Hassan, Ajay Pant, Sara Morse and Jose Pastrello, the leadership academy will use case studies, self-assessments and best practices and behaviors. Additional topics to build a strong leadership base will include time management, communication skills, customer service, team building, budgets and HR issues. This is a very interactive course that will involve group participation utilizing group projects and exercises within each training module. All sessions will be held at USPTA World Headquarters in Lake Nona, Florida.

Information and Location:

• Dates: November 8 - 10 • Location: USPTA Headquarters, Orlando, FL • Cost: $499 • Education credits: up to 15 education credits 6 credits + up to 9 credits for the education sessions.

USPTA.com/LeadershipAcademy

August 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 59

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MEMBER NEWS

Chris Blair

Dave Kozlowski

Adam Mihok

Lesley Sheehan

Chris Blair will be one of 11 former standout athletes, coaches and contributors honored at Kilgore College’s annual Hall of Fame Weekend Sep. 27-28. Blair served as tennis coach at Kilgore College from 1996-2001 where he had several outstanding seasons. He currently works at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview as the tennis director. He has 34 years of tennis experience coaching top-ranked juniors, adults and future touring professional players.

Dave “Koz” Kozlowski was named touring professional by the Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.

Kozlowski, 73, has been on the Sarasota, Florida scene since he became tennis director at Laurel Oak Tennis Center in Sarasota, Florida in the early 1990s. He was one of the original USPTA Master Professional members and was the 2001 USPTA National Professional of the Year. “Koz” was also named the 1999 USTA Broadcaster of the Year. He is the executive producer and host of “Inside Tennis with the ‘Koz’”.

Adam Mihok has been named the new Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Mihok comes to UMHB after spending the last two years as Head Tennis Coach at Brock High School.

He guided the Eagles to backto-back state tournament appearances in team tennis and had multiple individuals advance to the state tournament during his tenure.

Brock finished sixth in this year’s state team tournament and won girl’s doubles in this year’s state tournament.

Lesley Sheehan was inducted into the United States Tennis Association New England Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

Lesley Sheehan has excelled as both a coach and a player throughout her career. The current coach of the Boston University women’s tennis team, Sheehan has racked up an impressive slate of awards and accomplishments over her 34 seasons. She led her teams to 26 conference titles, 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, and is an eighttime conference coach of the year.

Gloucester’s Boulevard Tennis Courts named in honor of Avis R. Murray Gloucester athletic icon was the center of attention when the city cut the ribbon on its latest sports facility – the newly reconstructed Avis R. Murray Tennis Courts on Stacy Boulevard at the entrance to Stage Fort Park.

Avis, a native of Gloucester, Mass. Has served as director of tennis for 48 years at the Bass Rocks Golf Club and a teaching professional during the winter at Manchester Athletic Club. She has been a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association for over 48 year and was awarded Alex Gordon National Professional of the Year in 2013.

A

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President...................................................................... Gary Trost First Vice President................................................. Feisal Hassan Vice Presidents..........................................Cari Buck, Mark Faber,

Trish Faulkner, Bill Mountford, Richard Slivocka

Immediate Past President.............................................Chuck Gill CEO...........................................................................John Embree Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell

ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE Editor.............................................................................John Cornell Managing Editor ................................................... DeVonte’ Martin Layout/Design........................................................... Gustavo Reyes Editorial Assistance.......................... Tommy Cardinal, Risa Epstein, Ramona Husaru, Sid Newcomb, Ellen Weatherford, Fred Viancos Circulation................................................................ Trevor Trudelle USPTA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827

ADDvantage is published monthly by the USPTA The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved.

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

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