Midwest Connection Winter 2025

FALL 2025

MIDWEST CONNECTION from your

Midwest Divisio n Board Yo ur R SPA P r o s w er e busy in 2 0 2 5 ! Her e a r e so m e of w hat th ey w ere d oi n g:

In This Issue:

Presidents Message Dates that Rate 2026 Midwest Winter Forum Award Nominations

2 3 4 5

10 & Under Athlete Article State ProNouncements - MI State ProNouncements - IN/IL State ProNouncements - OH State ProNouncements - WI

6-7 8 9 10 11

Bringing My Two Worlds Together 12 Years of Service 14 Padel in Madison, WI 16-17 Member Benefits 19

RSPA MI D WE S T E X E C U T I V E BO A RD

John Frausto Division President johnefrausto@gmail.com

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT: John Frausto A s we w r ap u p anot he r s uc c e s s f u l ye ar, I wo u ld l i ke t o w i s h a l l of o u r r ac q ue t s p or t s profe s s ion a l s in t he Midwe s t a s a fe and h appy hol id ay s e a s on . We h ave muc h t o b e t h an k f u l for. R SPA profe s s ion a l s c ont inue t o elevat e s t and ard s ac ro s s t he ind u s t r y, and we re m a in c omm it t e d t o s e r v in g o u r me m b e r s t hro u g h mu lt iple r ac q ue t s p or t s and t hro u g h new and innovat ive in it i at ive s . Th an k yo u for yo u r c ont inue d d e d ic at ion and profe s s ion a l i s m—ke e p u p t he exc el le nt work .

2 0 2 6 Wint e r For u m A s m any of yo u k now, we are one of t he few R SPA d iv i s ion s t h at m a int a in s an ac t ive and c ol l a b or at ive rel at ion s h ip w it h o u r s t at e h i g h s c ho ol t e nn i s c o ac he s a s s o c i ation s . Th i s ye ar, we are pro ud t o anno u nc e a p ar t ne r s h ip w it h t he Mic h i g an Hi g h S c ho ol Te nn i s Co ac he s A s s o c i at ion , ho s t in g t he 2 0 2 6 Wint e r For u m at Hop e Col le ge in Hol l and , Mic h i g an , on Januar y 3 0 –3 1 , 2 0 2 6 .

Cathy Thomas Regional Vice President Cthomas6@cinci.rr.com

In ad d it ion t o t wo o u t s t and in g d ays of e d uc at ion and ne t work in g , c e r t i f ic at ion t e s t in g w i l l b e of fe re d in t e nn i s , pic k le b a l l , and pl at for m . To h i g h l i g ht t he imp ac t R SPA profe ss ion a l s are m a k in g , t he c on fe re nc e w i l l fe at u re e i g ht R SPA profe s s ion a l s a s pre s ent er s .

Re g i s t r at ion d e t a i l s and t he eve nt l in k c an b e fo u nd in t h i s newsle t t e r.

R SPA Pl at inu m Clu b Me m b e r s h ip

Matt Boughton 2nd Vice President mboughton@ymva-cv.org

It i s t ime t o re c og n i z e t ho s e clu b s in t he Midwe s t t h at u nd e r s t and t he imp or t anc e of e mploy in g R SPA Ce r t i f ie d Rac q ue t Sp or t s P rofe s s ion a l s . It s ho u ld b e a go a l for a l l clu b ow ne r s and d ire c t or s t o h ave a c e r t i f ie d profe s s ion a l on eve r y c o u r t . Th i s c omm it me nt e n h anc e s t he va lue prov id e d t o me m b e r s and elevat e s t he ove r a l l q ua l it y of prog r amm in g and in s t r uc t ion .

In t he new ye ar, we w i l l for m a l ly re c og n i z e Midwe s t clu b s t h at h ave ac h ieve d 10 0 % R SPA c e r t i f ic at ion amon g t he ir s t a f f. To q ua l i f y, a l l profe s s ion a l s mu s t b e S a fePl ay c ompl i ant , me e t t he t hre e -ye ar c ont inu in g e d uc at ion re q u ire me nt , and b e in go o d s t and in g w it h d ue s.

Clu b s e ar n in g t h i s d e s i g n at ion c on s i s t e nt ly d e mon s t r at e le ad e r s h ip w it h in o u r ind u st r y.

I wo u ld l i ke t o t h an k t he fol low in g d ire c t or s and f ac i l it ie s for ac h iev in g Pl at inu m Clu b s t at u s in 2 0 2 5 :

Andrew Coon 3rd Vice President andrew.coonstl@gmail.com

● ● ●

Bro c k Orlows k i – For t Way ne Co u nt r y Clu b, For t Way ne , I N T im Har t w ic k / S c ot t Fic k s – Wi s c on s in At h le t ic Clu b, Har t l and , WI Kat ie Orl and o – Tow p at h Te nn i s , A k ron , OH

Br in g in g a Ce r t i f ic at ion Te s t t o Yo u The r ac q ue t s p or t s ind u s t r y c ont inue s t o evolve , w it h m any clu b s now of fe r in g mu lt iple s p or t s s uc h a s t e nn i s , pic k le b a l l , pl at for m , p ad el , and s q ua s h . E ar n in g mu ltiple c e r t i f ic at ion s c an b e in s t r u me nt a l in advanc in g yo u r c are e r and inc re a s in g profe s sion a l opp or t u n it ie s .

Kati Gyulai Treasurer/Secretary kgyulai@oakland-hills.com

Matt Davis Past President

tenace4@gmail.com

A s a Midwe s t B o ard , we are pro ud t o h ave m any me m b e r s hold in g mu lt iple c e r ti f ic ation s — a l l at t a in a ble u nd e r a s in gle R SPA me m b e r s h ip. O u r c e r t i f ic at ion c a le nd ar h a s b ee n f in a l i z e d , w it h ad d it ion a l d at e s t o b e ad d e d t hro u g ho u t t he ye ar. If yo u are int e re s t ed in ho s t in g a c e r t i f ic at ion t e s t at yo u r f ac i l it y for any r ac q ue t s p or t , ple a s e c ont ac t G re g At en at g re g . at e n @ r s p a .ne t . We wo u ld b e h appy t o c ome t o yo u and a s s i s t in c e r t i f y in g yo u r s t a f f.

War m Wi s he s , John Fr au s t o R SPA Midwe s t P re s id e nt

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 2

MIDWEST STATE PRESIDENTS

Lucas Waak I n d ia n a P r e s id e n t l w a a k w i r c@ g m a i l .co m

Aaron Rusnak I llin o is P r e s id e n t

rushandcrush@prodigy.net

Adam Ford M ic h iga n S t a t e P r e s id e n t a d a m f o r d 1 0 s @ g m a i l .co m

C o s t in F in k W is c o n s in P r e s id e n t co s t i n f i n k @ g m a i l .co m

B r ia n S h o m a n O h io P r e s id e n t

bshoman@paramount-tennisclub.com

Greg Aten E x e c u t iv e D ir e c t o r g r e g .a t e n @ r s p a .n e t M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 3

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 4

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 5

Competition and the 10-and-Under Athlete: Building Lifelong Tennis Players

By Aaron Kolz, RSPA Elite Professional I ove r s ee o u r 1 0 a n d u n d e r te n n i s p r o g r a m w i t h o n e p r i m a r y g o a l : to c r e a te l i fe l o n g p l aye r s by i n t r o d u ci n g co m p e t i t i o n i n a w a y t h a t b u i l d s exc i te m e n t , co n f i d e n ce , a n d l ove fo r t h e g a m e . Te n n i s h a s b ee n a p a r t of m y li fe fo r a s lo n g as I ca n r e m e m b e r — f r o m fo l l ow i n g m y f a t h e r to h i s h i g h s c h o o l p r a ct i ce s a fte r s c h o o l , to eve n t u a l l y b eco m i n g a n R S PA E l i te Co a c h . W h i le I e n j oy wo r ki n g w i t h h i g h - p e r fo r m a n ce a t h l e te s a n d h e l p i n g i n s p i r e b i g d r e a m s , m y t r u e p a s s i o n h a s b eco m e c r e a t i n g t h o s e p l aye r s f r o m t h e ve r y b eg i n n i n g .

T h i s a r t i c l e ex p l o r e s w h a t co m p e t i t i o n t r u l y m e a n s i n yo u t h te n n i s — b o t h fo r o u r i n d u s t r y a n d fo r to d a y’s yo u n g a t h le te s . I t i s s h a p e d by t h e l a s t s eve n ye a r s of d e d i c a t i o n to t h e 1 0 - a n d - u n d e r d e m o g r a p h i c i n W i s co n s i n a n d by a li fe t i m e s p e n t o n te n n i s co u r t s .

T h e B eg i n n i n g W h e n I r e f l ec t b a c k o n m y ow n yo u t h , co m p e t i t i o n d i d n ’ t b eg i n i n to u r n a m e n t s . I t s t ar te d w i t h t r y i n g to b e t h e be s t p l a ye r i n c l a s s t h a t d a y, w i t h t h e r ew a r d ofte n b e i n g a M o u n t a i n D ew o r S n a p p l e — d e p e n d i n g o n t h e co ac h . W h a t d i d a ll m y co a ch e s h a ve i n co m m o n ? T h ey m a d e co m p e t i t i o n f u n . T h ey h e l p e d c r e a te g o a l s , a l l owe d m e to f a i l , a n d t au g h t m e a n e ar l y l e s s o n : i n m a n y co m p e t i t i o n s t h e r e i s o n l y o n e w i n n e r, b u t t h e r e a r e co u n t l e s s ex p e r i e n ce s to t a ke b ac k to t h e “ch a l k bo a r d ” a n d t r a i n h a r d e r fo r t h e n ex t o p p o r t u n i t y.

A s a co a c h , m a n y t h o u g h t s r u n t h r o u g h m y m i n d w h e n s h a r i n g p e r s p ect i ve s a n d of fe r i n g g u i d a n ce to f a m i li e s a n d yo u n g p r ofe s s i o n a l s wo r k i n g i n t h e 1 0 - a n d - u n d e r s p a ce . E ve r y s p o r t co m p e te s fo r p a r t i c i p a t i o n , b u t m o s t h a ve a s h e l f l i fe . Te n n i s i s d i f fe r e n t , i t i s a l i fe l o n g s p o r t , a d a p t a b l e a t eve r y s t a g e of l i fe , w h i l e s t i l l m a i n t a i n i n g i t s co m p e t i t i ve n a t u r e . F o r n ew co a c h e s l o o k i n g to m a ke a m e a n i n g f u l i m p a c t , t h e r e i s n o b e t te r o p p o r t u n i t y t h a n wo r k i n g w i t h yo u n g p l a ye r s a n d i n s p i r i n g t h e m to g r ow b o t h o n a n d of f t h e co u r t .

W h a t Co m p e t i t i o n I s — a n d W h a t I t Ca n B e Yo u n g a t h l e te s n a t u r a l l y co m p a r e t h e m s e l ve s to o t h e r s . T h ey t r a c k s co r e s , d i s t a n ce s , s p ee d , a n d r e s u l t s : w h o k i c ks t h e f a r t h e s t , r u n s t h e f a s te s t , o r h i t s t h e h a r d e s t . S o w h a t i s t h e co a c h ’s r o l e ? To c r e a te s t r u c t u r e , te a c h s oft s k i l ls s u ch a s s p o r t s m a n s h i p, a n d d eve l o p h a r d s k i l l s t h r o u g h e f f i c i e n t m ec h a n i c s a n d c a u s e - a n d - e f fec t l e a r n i n g .

Te n n i s , h oweve r, f a ce s a u n i q u e c h a l l e n g e . U n l i ke te a m s p o r t s , i t c a n b e a n i s o l a t i n g ex p e r i e n ce . I ofte n t h i n k of A n d r e Ag a s s i ’s q u o te : “ Te n n i s i s a b ox i n g m a tc h f r o m f a r a w a y.” Yo u n g p l a ye r s m u s t m a n a g e r u le s , e m o t i o n s , a n d d i s a g r ee m e n t s l ar g e l y o n t h e i r ow n . I n te a m s p o r t s , r e fe r ee s , t i m eo u t s , a n d te a m m a te s h e l p a b s o r b to u g h m o m e n t s . I n te n n i s , t h o s e m o m e n t s a r e p e r s o n al — a n d c a n b e f r a g i l e fo r yo u n g co m p e t i to r s .

I n t r o d u c i n g Co m p e t i t i o n i n C l u b S e tt i n g s E ve r y t h i n g b eg i n s w i t h o n e e s s e n t i a l q u e s t i o n : W h y ? T h i s q u e s t i o n w a s e m p h a s ize d to m e by m y m e n to r, J i m S co t t , e s p ec i a l ly p o s t- COV I D. E ve r y p r o g r a m n ee d s a c l e a r “ w h y ” b e h i n d i t s s t r u c t u r e . F o r u s , t h e a n s we r w as s i m p l e : co m p e t i t i o n i n te n n i s s h o u l d b e both fun and challenging.

T h e s o l u t i o n b ec a m e i n s t a n t p l a y. W h i l e p r o p e r fo r m r e m a i n s i m p o r t a n t , t h e a b i l i t y to li ft a n d r a l l y a b al l — ofte n u s i n g m o d i f i e d n e t s o r n o n e t a t a l l — a l l ow s co m p e t i t i o n to b eg i n i m m e d i a te l y. T h e m o s t e f fect i ve fo r m a t s h a ve b ee n r o u n d r o bi n s a n d t i m e d m a tc h e s d u r i n g c l i n i c s . P l a ye r s s t a y a c t i ve , t r a c k p r o g r e s s , a n d l e a r n fo cu s . W i n n e r s m i g h t e a r n t h e c h an ce to ch a l l e n g e t h e co a ch fo r a f u n te a m p r i ze , S t a r b u r s t fo r t h e c l a s s o r a k i n g - s i ze c a n d y b a r of t h e i r c h o i ce .

Ro u n d - r o b i n p l a y e n s u r e s n o c h i l d i s s t u c k w a i t i n g i n l i n e . I f a m a tc h e n d s e a r l y, fo r m e r o p p o n e n t s beco m e te a m m a te s , an d co n s i s te n cy - b a s e d c h a l l e n g e s b eco m e t h e n ew fo cu s . I n f a ci l i t i e s w i t h m o r e co u r t a v a i l a b i l i t y, e n t i r e s e s s i o n s a r e d evo te d to m a tc h p l a y. F a m i l i e s c a n s ee p l a ye r s r a l l y, kee p s co r e , a n d co m p e te i n m i n i - m a tc h e s — l e a r n i n g t h a t te n n i s i s g o o d fo r t h e s o u l a n d exce l l e n t fo r d eve l o p i n g p r o b l e m - s o l v i n g s k i l l s .

T h e s e ex p e r i e n ce s n a t u r a l l y l e a d to i n - h o u s e co m p e t i t i o n , w h i ch s e r ve s a s a b r i d g e b e fo r e U S TA to u r n a m e n t s . P l a ye r s l e a r n s p o r t s m a n s h i p, h ow to of f i c i a te , h ow to a s k fo r a l i n e j u d g e , a n d h ow to m a n a g e e m o t i o n s . Par e n t s , i n t u r n , l e a r n a b o u t to u r n a m e n t r eg i s t r a t i o n , s i te r u l e s , a n d h ow to s u p p o r t t h e i r c h i l d r e n a p p r o p r i a te l y, e s p ec i a l l y a fte r to u g h l o s s e s .

Co m p e t i t i o n , Pe r s p ec t i ve , a n d Re s p o n s i b i l i ty Co m p e t i t i o n ex i s t s a t eve r y a g e . E ve r yo n e s ee k s i t . I ’m r e m i n d e d of a q u o te f r o m Pa t to n , w i t h G eo r g e C . S co t t p o r t r a yi n g G e n e r a l G eo r g e S . Pa t to n : “A m e r i c a n s l ove a w i n n e r.”

A s p a r e n t s a n d co a c h e s , o u r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i s to d e f i n e w h a t “ w i n n i n g ” t r u l y m e a n s . W h i l e m e d a l s , t r o p h i e s , a n d r a n k i n g s h a ve t h e i r p l a ce , t h e j o u r n ey b e l o n g s to t h e p l a ye r — n o t to a co a c h ’s r é s u m é o r a p a r e n t ’s ex p ect a t i o n s . W h e n cr e d i t s h i ft s a w a y f r o m t h e a t h l e te , e n j oy m e n t f a d e s , p r e s s u r e r i s e s , a n d b u r n o u t b eco m e s m o r e l i ke l y.

W h a t T h i s M e a n s fo r Yo u t h Te n n i s Co m p e t i t i o n i s e s s e n t i a l fo r yo u t h d eve l o p m e n t . I t b u i l d s co n f i d e n ce , te a c h e s r e s i li e n ce , a n d a l l ow s ch i l d r e n to ex p e r i m e n t , f a i l , a n d g r ow i n a s a fe e n v i r o n m e n t . Te n n i s fo r 1 0 - a n d - u n d e r p l a ye r s m u s t of fe r b o t h s t r u ct u r e a n d s u p p o r t , w i t h a cl e ar u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t f a i l u r e i s p a r t of t h e p r o ce s s .

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 6

W h e t h e r t h r o u g h m e m b e r - o n l y eve n t s , c l u b - ve r s u s - c l u b p l a y, o r U S TA to u r n a m e n t s , co m p e t i t i o n h e l p s p la ye r s g r ow. Co a ch e s a n d p a r e n t s m u s t fo r m a te a m e a r l y s o yo u n g a t h l e te s n eve r fee l a l o n e o n co u r t . M a n y of t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t l e s s o n s — e m o t i o n a l co n t r o l , s p o r t s m a n s h i p, a n d s e l f - r e f l ec t i o n — c a n n o t a l w a y s b e t a u g h t i n a 6 0 - m i n u te c l a s s .

W h a t To u r n a m e n t s N ee d fo r 1 0 - a n d - U n d e r S u cce s s S u cce s s f u l yo u t h to u r n a m e n t s r eq u i r e : Co u r t m o n i to r s w h o a r e k i n d , a t te n t i ve , a n d f i r m w h e n n ece s s a r y Pa r e n t s w h o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t o n e m a tc h d o e s n o t d e f i n e a c h i l d ’s f u t u r e Re a l i s t i c ex p ec t a t i o n s a r o u n d s k i l l d eve l o p m e n t a t yo u n g a g e s A fo c u s o n r a l l i e s , l e a r n i n g , a n d ex p e r i m e n t a t i o n — n o t p e r fec t i o n T h e g o a l s h o u l d a l w a y s b e s oft- s k i l l d eve l o p m e n t ove r r e s u l t s . Te n n i s i s n o t a s p r i n t , a n d n o s i n g l e to u r n a m e n t d e f i n e s a p l a ye r.

M a tc h e s a r e t h e g r e a te s t te s t of k n ow l e d g e u n d e r p r e s s u r e , b u t t h a t p r e s s u r e s h o u l d n eve r b e m a g n i f i e d fo r yo u n g a t h l e te s .

A N o te fo r Yo u n g a n d U p co m i n g Co a c h e s M a n y te n n i s p r ofe s s i o n a l s b eg i n t h e i r c a r ee r s i n t h e 1 0 - a n d - u n d e r s p a ce , ofte n to g a i n ex p e r i e n ce a n d g a i n r e l i ab l e h o u r s . E a r l y o n , i t ’s e a s y to g r a v i t a te tow a r d o l d e r p l a ye r s w h o “a l r e a d y k n ow t h e g a m e .” W h a t t ake s t i m e to r e a l i ze i s t h at wo r k i n g w i t h yo u n g p l a ye r s i s b o t h e a s i e r o n t h e b o d y a n d t h e m o s t i m p a c t f u l p l a ce to b u i l d a m e a n i n g f u l c a r ee r.

Yo u n g p l a ye r s a r e i m p r e s s i o n a b l e . Ye a r s a g o, a S n a p p l e m o t i v a te d m e . To d a y, i t ’s S t a r b u r s t a n d G a to r a d e . D o n ’ t s h y a w a y f r o m r e d , o r a n g e , a n d g r ee n b a l l c l a s s e s , yo u ’ l l f i n d k i d s w h o t r u l y w a n t to l e a r n a n d l ove t h e g a m e .

I h a ve s ee n m a n y p a r e n t s u n i n te n t i o n a l l y l i ve t h r o u g h t h e i r c h i l d r e n i n co m p e t i t i o n . T h i s ofte n l e a d s to bu r n o u t a n d u n n ece s s a r y p r e s s u r e . S u p p o r t i s e s s e n t i a l , b u t s o i s a l l ow i n g ch i l d r e n to p r o ce s s t h e i r ow n ex p e r i e n ce s . T h ey a l r e a d y k n ow w h a t we n t w r o n g .

W h a t t h ey n ee d m o s t i s e n co u r a g e m e n t a n d p e r s p ec t i ve .

Co m p e t i t i o n a t a yo u n g a g e b u i l d s co n f i d e n ce , p r o b l e m - s o l v i n g s k i l l s , a n d r e s i l i e n ce — w h e n d o n e co r r ect ly. W i t h o u t i t , te n n i s r i s k s b eco m i n g j u s t a n o t h e r s p o r t t h a t k i d s “ t r y a n d q u i t .” B y i n t r o d u c i n g i n s t a n t p l a y, s u p p o r t i ve co m p e t i t i o n , a n d p o s i t i ve e n v i r o n m e n t s e a r l y, we g i ve yo u n g p l a ye r s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to f a l l i n l ove w i t h t h e g a m e .

Te n n i s i s a l i fe l o n g s p o r t . Le t ’s co n t i n u e to g r ow i t by a l l ow i n g k i d s to m a ke m i s t a ke s , e n joy co m p e t i t i o n , a n d d r e a m of b eco m i n g t h e p l a ye r s t h ey a d m i r e — w h e t h e r i n l o c a l to u r n a m e n t s , h i g h s ch o o l m a tc h e s , o r b eyo n d .

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 7

State Presidents “ProNouncements”!

MICHIGAN

by Adam Ford, RSPA Michigan State President

R S PA Pr ofe s s i o n a l s Le a d a Re m a r k a b l e S e a s o n of R a cq u e t S p o r t s E ve n t s Ac r o s s M i ch i g a n T h e S t a te of M i c h i g a n s a w a n i n s p i r i n g r u n of r a cq u e t s p o r t s eve n t s t h i s f a l l , e a ch p owe r e d by t h e ex p e r t i s e , l e a d e r s h i p, a n d p a s s i o n of R S PA ce r t i f i e d p r ofe s s i o n a l s . F r o m co l l eg i a te co m p e t i t i o n to p r ofe s s i o n a l ce r t i f i ca t i o n s an d a d a p t i ve te n n i s i n i t i at i ve s , t h e s e eve n t s s h owc a s e d t h e s t r o n g a n d g r ow i n g i m p a ct of R S PA i n t h e M i d we s t r a cq u e t s p o r t s co m m u n i t y.

H o p e Co l l eg e H o s t s D i v i s i o n I M e n ’s Te n n i s E ve n t F e a t u r i n g D o m i n a n t D u o F o r m a t I n O c to b e r, t h e H o p e Co l l eg e Ra cq u e t S p o r t s M a n a g e m e n t p r o g r a m , u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p of D i r ec to r A d a m F o r d a n d A s s i s t a n t D i r ec to r Ky l e P i p k i n , o r g a n i ze d a s t a n d o u t D i v i s i o n I M e n ’s Te n n i s eve n t t h a t b r o u g h t h i g h - l eve l co l l eg i a te p l ay to H o l l a n d , M i ch i g a n .

S u p p o r te d by Ra cq u e t S p o r t s M a n a g e m e n t s t u d e n t s , t h e to u r n a m e n t fe a t u r e d 3 2 a t h l e te s co m p e t i n g i n t h e f a s t- p a ce d a n d i n c r e a s i n g l y p o p u l a r D o m i n a n t D u o fo r m a t .

T h e f i n a l w a s a n a l l U n i ve r s i t y of M i c h i g a n s h ow d ow n , w i t h t h e te a m of S we n s o n / S te i g l e h n e r d e fe a t i n g O r a l / B h a n d a r i to c l a i m t h e t i t l e . T h e eve n t n o t o n l y d i s p l a ye d t h e d e p t h of D 1 t a l e n t b u t a l s o h i g h l i g h te d t h e g r ow i n g r o le of R S PA ce r t i f i e d l e a d e r s i n s h a p i n g t h e n ex t g e n e r a t i o n of r a cq u e t s p o r t s p r ofe s s i o n a l s t h r o u g h m e a n i n g f u l h a n d s - o n ex p e r i e n ce .

B i r m i n g h a m Co u n t r y C l u b H o s t s M i c h i g a n ’s S eco n d P l a t fo r m Te n n i s Ce r t i f i ca t i o n of t h e Ye a r N ove m b e r b r o u g h t a n o t h e r m i l e s to n e a s B i r m i n g h a m Co u n t r y C l u b h o s te d M i c h i g a n ’s s eco n d p l a t fo r m te n n i s ce r t i f i c a t i o n of t h e ye a r. Le d by R S PA Te s te r M a tt D a v i s , t h e ce r t i f i c a t i o n eve n t p r ov i d e d a n exce p t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t y fo r a s p i ri n g p r ofe s s i o n al s l o o k i n g to ex p a n d t h e i r c r e d e n t i a l s i n o n e of t h e co u n t r y ’s r a p i d l y g r ow i n g r a cq u e t s p o r t s .

A s p ec i a l t h a n k yo u g o e s to A l d r i n Ca m p o s fo r h o s t i n g a n d s u p p o r t i n g t h e eve n t . M i c h i g a n a l s o we l co m e d two n ew R S PA ce r t i f i e d m e m b e r s , L u c a L i n k a n d A u s t i n H e n s l ey , w h o co m p l e te d t h e i r ce r t i f i c a t i o n a n d j o i n e d t h e s t a te’s ex p a n d i n g n e t wo r k of p l a t fo r m te n n i s p r ofe s s i o n a l s .

U n i ve r s i ty of M i c h i g a n H o s t s W h ee l c h a i r Te n n i s Co l l eg i a te To u r n a m e n t & J u n i o r C l in i c I n D ece m b e r, t h e U n i ve r s i t y of M i c h i g a n co n t i n u e d i t s l e a d e r s h i p i n a d a p t i ve te n n i s by h o s t i n g a W h ee l c h a i r Te n n i s Co l l eg i a te To u r n a m e n t , fe a t u r i n g to p co l l eg i a te p l a ye r s a n d co a c h e s f r o m a c r o s s t h e co u n t r y. A s p a r t of t h e eve n t , R S PA p r ofe s s i o n a l B r i a n D e a n , M a n a g i n g D i r ec to r of Te n n i s a t T h e M i d we s t Te n n i s Ce n te r, h e l p e d l e a d a j u n i o r w h ee lc h a i r te n n i s c l i n i c t h a t br o u g h t yo u n g a t h l e te s to g e t h e r fo r a n a fte r n o o n of l e a r n i n g , p l a y i n g , a n d co n n ec t i n g .

J u n i o r s h a d t h e c h a n ce to p a r t i c i p a te i n o n - co u r t a c t i v i t i e s , a s k q u e s t i o n s , a n d m ee t t h e i r f a vo r i te co l l eg i a te w h ee l c h a i r te n n i s co m p e t i to r s . T h e co l l a b o r a t i o n b e t wee n to u r n a m e n t o r g a n i ze r s a n d R S PA p r ofe s s i o n a l s h i g h l i g h te d a s h a r e d co m m i t m e n t to g r ow i n g a d a p t i ve r a cq u e t- s p o r t s o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d ex p a n d i n g a cce s s fo r a l l a t h l e te s .

F e r r i s S t a te U n i ve r s i ty H o s t s B a c k- to - B a c k Te n n i s a n d P i c k l e b a l l Ce r t i f i c a t i o n Wo r k s h o p s Ro u n d i n g o u t t h e e n d of t h e ye a r, F e r r i s S t a te U n i ve r s i ty , h o m e of t h e F S U Pr ofe s s i o n a l Te n n i s M a n a g e m e n t Pr o g r a m , h o s te d t wo m a j o r R S PA ce r t i f i c a t i o n wee ke n d s i n D ece m b e r. O n b a c k- to - b a c k wee ke n d s , R S PA Co a c h D eve l o p e r s A m y N e s t l e a n d S co tt F i c k s f a c i l i t a te d a P i c k l e b a l l Ce r t i f i c a t i o n Wo r k s h o p fo l l owe d by a Te n n i s Ce r t i f i c a t i o n Wo r k s h o p , p r ov i d i n g h i g h - l eve l e d u c a t i o n a n d p r a c t i c a l t r a i n i n g fo r a s p i r i n g r a cq u e t s p o r t s p r ofe s s i o n a l s .

T h e s e wo r k s h o p s f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n e d M i c h i g a n ’s p a t h w a y fo r d eve l o p i n g q u a l i f i e d co a ch e s a cr o s s m u l t i p l e r a cq u e t s p o r t s a n d s h owc a s e d t h e co n t i n u e d p a r t n e r s h i p b e t wee n R S PA a n d o n e of t h e n a t i o n ’s m o s t r e s p ecte d PT M p r o g r a m s .

F r o m co l l eg i a te to u r n a m e n t s to p r ofe s s i o n a l ce r t i f i ca t i o n s a n d i n cl u s i ve p r o g r a m m i n g , t h e s e fo u r eve n t s exe m p li f y t h e i n f l u e n ce of R S PA ce r t i f i e d p r ofe s s i o n a l s i n e l ev a t i n g r a cq u e t s p o r t s a c r o s s M i ch i g a n . D r i ve n by p a s s i o n , ex p e r t i s e , an d a n u n w a ve r i n g co m m i t m e n t to g r ow i n g t h e g a m e , R S PA m e m b e r s co n t i n u e to fo s te r exce l l e n ce , i n n ov a t i o n , a n d co m m u n i t y e n g ag e m e n t t h r o u g h o u t t h e s t a te .

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State Presidents “ProNouncements”!

INDIANA

By Lucas Waak. RSPA Indiana State Presid e nt This past month Indianapolis Racquet Clu b we l com e d s o me o f t h e b e st j uni o r t e nn i s pl a ye r s in th e c ou n tr y f or th e L ev e l 1, Girls 18 and under National Champio n shi p . Th e re w e re 6 4 of t h e be s t ju n i or g i rl ’s te n ni s p la y e r s f r o m a r o un d t h e United States competing for a National Cha m pio n shi p . We w ant to co n gra t ula t e a ll of th e p a r t ic i pa n t s o n a w e l l p l a ye d tournament and thank Indianapolis Rac que t Cl u b f o r h o sti n g a suc c ess f ul t our n am e n t .

We would also like to thank ATP Pro R aje e v R a m f o r h o sti n g h i s a n nua l Hi g h S c ho o l Te n ni s C li n ic . H ig h S c h o ol pl a y e rs from across the state were given the pri vil e ge t o dri l l an d lea r n fr o m on e of t h e be s t d o u b le s pl a y e rs i n t h e w or l d, Ra j e e v Ram, who is coached by RSPA professional Bry a n S m ith . We loo k fo r war d to the ev e n t a g ai n n ex t y e a r !

ILLINOIS

By Aaron Rusnak, RSPA Illinois State Presi d ent Illinois has an education opportunity comi n g up fo r y ou on J a nua r y 30- 3 1 at th e 5 S ta r Te n ni s C lu b i n P l ai n fi e l d , IL . T h e Illinois High School Tennis Coaches As soc i ati o n (I H STC A ) is h avi n g th e ir W i n te r Wor k sh o p . T h i s y e a r 's l i ne u p of presenters is a variety of national, lo cal , a n d h igh sc h ool co a che s t h at wil l c o v er to p ic s r e l a te d t o A L L l ev e l s o f play...from JV2 up through high level var sit y te n nis . Yo u ca n REGISTER HERE and get up to 7 hours of education.

Mike Lange held a Level 2 certification in O c tob e r at t he S t one b rid g e Co u ntr y C lu b .. I f y ou h av e m u lt i pl e p r os i n t er e st e d in RSPA certification for any of our racq uet spo r ts a nd w oul d li k e t o ho s t a cer t if i c a ti o n a t yo u r f a ci l i t y, r ea c h o u t t o Gr e g Aten, greg.aten@rspa.net .

Finally, I am excited to be the RSPA Sta t e Pre s ide n t for I l lin o is. I f y ou ha v e an y i n fo r m a ti o n y ou w o u ld l i k e t o s ha r e regarding events you have been a part of , pl e ase l et m e kno w. I a m alw a ys i n ter e s te d in p r o mo t in g t h e g r ea t p r os o f t he state of Illinois. Also, the RSPA awards nom i nat i ons for pro f ess i ona l s i n th e di v i si o n d o i ng ou t s t an d in g w or k n o t on l y i n their facilities but for racquet sports a cro s s t h e s t ate , we wou l d l i ke t o r e cog n iz e th e m . P l e as e le t me k no w if y ou or someone on your staff is a possible cand i dat e fo r an awa r d a n d I wil l se n d y o u t h e Jo tF o r m t o m a k e i t h a p p en . A a r o n Rusnak, rushandcrush@prodogy.net

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State Presidents “ProNouncements”!

OHIO

By Brian Shoman, RSPA Ohio President On November22, 2025, at Pickle N’ Ch i ll i n C o lum b us, Ohi o we had a m i ni educational conference for pros to g ain co n tin u ing ed u cat i on cre d its . We h ad professionals and coaches from all over th e sta t e to a tte n d, a n d th e y we r e ab l e to s e e Tennis & Pickleball presentations at the eve n t.

Balazs Novak spoke on high performa nce t e nni s . Bri a n Sho m an ta l ked a b ou t pickleball drills that you can use immedi ate l y at yo u r clu b . The n b oth B a laz a n d B ri a n along with Cathy Thomas was on a r oun d t a ble wh e re eve r yon e c o uld as k t h e m different questions regarding racquet spo rts .

Special thanks to RSPA Ohio Vice Pres ide n t, Kyra Wag n er w ho w as i nst r ume n t al in coordinating the event and making it a su cce s s.

If anyone in the state of Ohio has any art i cle s o r new e v ent s g oin g o n in th e ir a r ea , please let Brian Shoman know at bshoman@paramounttennisclub.com

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State Presidents “ProNouncements”!

Wisconsin

By Costin Fink, Wisconsin State Presiden t Wisconsin hosted their High School Coa che s Ass o cia t ion C lin i c on N ove m ber 1 5 th , at H i tt e r s Sportsplex in Middleton, WI. 75 Hig h Sch o ol co a che s a nd 10 R S PA Me m b er s w e re in attendance. We had some great speaker s inc l udi n g RS PA El i te P r ofe s sio n al E r i k M a r t in e z, Wisconsin Men’s Tennis Coach Danny We ste r man , Ni c ole t Hi g h S c hoo l Co a ch T i m K op p a an d RSPA Elite Professional Aaron Rusnak.

Sports Core in Kohler, WI also hosted a P ick l eba l l C e rti f ica t ion wit h Co a ch D ev e l o pe r S c o t t Ficks for 5 of their pros! Congratulation s t o Sp o rts Cor e fo r ra i sin g th e ba r wi t h t h ei r p ro s and being certified!

Sports Core also hosted the USTA Le vel 1 30 & O ver Na t ion a l I ndo o r C h am p i o ns h ip s December 12-14th with 28 players from a ll a c ros s the c oun t ry t a kin g par t in t h e t o ur n am e n t !

Congratulations to RSPA Professional Gia n Pi c o o n ta k ing 4th pla c e i n th e Me n 's S i ng l es !

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Bringing My Two Worlds Together By: Greg Isermann, RSPA Professional Over the past few years, everyone has seen the incredible rise in pickleball’s popularity. It is not just about the game—it’s about the community created. The social aspect of pickleball has been one of the biggest drivers of its growth, bringing people together in ways few sports can.

At Hitters Tennis and Pickleball Club in Middleton, WI, we’ve seen firsthand the family that has formed through the sport. Hitters works closely with the Capital Area Pickleball Association (CAPA) , which has helped grow leagues, open new courts, host socials, and introduce countless new players to the game in the Madison area.

One of CAPA’s founders, Rico Goedjen , suggested organizing a pickleball tournament as a local fundraiser. As soon as I heard the idea, I immediately thought of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)—an organization very close to my heart.

Four years ago, my then six-year-old son, Charlie , was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. That moment changed our family’s life forever. My wife, Molly, and I had to learn a new way of living—24-hour blood sugar monitoring, counting carbs, and making sure Charlie received the right amount of insulin for everything he ate. At the time, we also had a newborn and a four-year-old at home.

Two years ago, we launched our first annual pickleball fundraiser tournament at Hitters, with 100% of the proceeds going to Breakthrough T1D. Our pickleball community came together in an incredible show of support. Many of our Hitters groups and local businesses stepped up as sponsors. Personally, it’s meant more than I can express to see the people I work with and coach everyday rally behind a cause that means everything to my family.

St uar t Ne t t

Ja s on Nor v ille

Charlie has truly taken ownership of the tournament. He gives a pre-tournament speech at the start of every event to thank the players and share his story. Last year, he even appeared live on NBC15 News to promote the event.

This tournament and the pickleball community have given Charlie a new confidence in dealing with this disease.

Surrounded by so much encouragement and love, he’s learned that diabetes doesn’t define him—it’s just part of his journey. He hopes that everyone’s efforts will help bring us one step closer to a cure for T1D. In our second year, we were proud to donate over $22,000 to Breakthrough T1D. As we look ahead to year three , the excitement continues to grow. Players from all over have been asking about this year’s date, and new companies are already reaching out to join as sponsors.

To our incredible Hitters Pickleball Community —thank you . Your support means the world to us.

Sponsors: Jim and Sue Bakke Tom and Christel Engelbrecht Holly and Fred Frank Marian Quade Lisa Rosenstock Kevin’s League Jill and Rico’s League Bo and Paula League Jay’s League Top Promotions Jason Thomas Homes Midwest Financial Group CAPA Hitters

Kr is t e n Har r is on

Co s t in Fin k

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PADEL in Madison, Wi.

By Costin Fink, RSPA Wisconsin President / Tom Chorney, RSPA Elite Professional

Q.

How Did you get started in Padel/What made you want to get certified?

A.

My first glimpse of padel was in an email about a demonstration coming up at the PGA Show in Orlando back around 2019. I clicked on the video of a match and immediately wanted to play. I had only begun playing platform tennis three years prior, and this looked like platform on steroids – I loved the faster pace and the athleticism, and I especially liked that an overhead bounced over the top of the glass was a point won, not lost, as in platform. Because there weren’t any courts in the area yet, I couldn’t try it until my golf/tennis boys’ trip to Sarasota the next spring. I dragged my buddies, almost two hours up to greater Tampa for a clinic with Marcos del Pilar, who, as always, crushed it with his enthusiasm and passion, and we all had a great time. The clock started ticking on when we would get a court to Madison, and I wanted to get formally trained by Marcos ASAP to give it credibility.

Q.

As someone who has been in the industry as long as you have, and with the success you’ve had in tennis, what inspired you to evolve and embrace other racquet sports like Padel and Platform Tennis?

A.

I started at Cherokee in 1983, and by 2012-ish, I sensed that the tennis boom of the 70’s, which coincided with the baby boom, had started its downturn in terms of avid indoor club members. Many of our long-term members were getting hip replacements, struggling with meniscus and rotator cuff tears, migrating to Florida and Arizona…. The next generation wasn’t adequately stepping up to replace them, and I sensed that our numbers were going to decline over the next decade. In attempting to evolve and adapt, I embraced pickleball somewhat, but didn’t feel the passion for several reasons.

When platform was presented to me in 2016, it just hit right, mostly due to the 3-dimensional element that I had experienced in my brief days of racquetball and squash in the 80’s. I wasn’t an outdoor winter sport guy, and suddenly I had an option that didn’t include the safety issues of downhill skiing for a klutz who couldn’t afford to miss a month or two of lessons due to a fall. Honestly, another huge factor was the quality of the guys I originally played with – they were just a really great bunch of friendly, athletic guys who took me in right away and graciously showed me the ropes. Platform is a very social game due to the small, enclosed court, and unlike racquetball and squash, you’re face-toface. I liked the vibe a lot, and not crushing every serve and overhead was easy on my cranky shoulder.

Similarly, padel, with the underhand serve and no need to blast every overhead, doesn’t tax my arm unless I choose to swing aggressively too often, and the turf underfoot is easier on the legs than tennis or platform.

Q.

What was the vision behind opening up your own facility?

A.

When my Maple Bluff Country Club platform buddies got a whiff of that padel video, they were as curious and eager to try it as I was, so together we sought out a used court to purchase. The hope was that we could squeeze it in near the platform courts or at least at a nearby park in the Village of Maple Bluff. We found a court in Texas and had it disassembled and shipped to the marina adjacent to the club. After numerous failed attempts to gain village approval for various sites, the pieces of the court leaned against a building at the marina for four years before we finally decided last September to lease some space in a warehouse a couple of miles from the club. This gave us a chance to assemble the court and get people playing so we can prove the concept. The first year has been a tremendous success – the initial response was so overwhelming that I purchased a second court last November,

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just a month after we opened. We’re all enjoying the vibe in the dilapidated, old warehouse (thus the name TC Padel at Fight Club), the original vision hasn’t changed, and we’d like to move the courts onto MBCC property in the near future.

Q.

How are you finding people (specifically tennis/platform players) take to padel?

A.

It’s rare to have a tennis/platform player try padel for the first time and not like it. Those who have played some squash are usually most comfortable, and one hockey player equated the glass bounces to taking a puck off the boards. The main difference between platform and padel is the speed and distance of the bounces off the glass as compared to the platform screens. It takes time to get players comfortably moving forward before an opponent hits a high volley or “bandeja” as it’s known in padel.

It helps you to watch YouTube videos of the pros playing defense, because their positioning and anticipation are amazing.

Q.

How do you see padel growing in the next 3-5 years here in the United States?

A.

Based on the padel explosion in Europe and the Middle East, and because I see immediate interest from racquet sports lovers in Madison, I’m confident that the game will grow exponentially in America over the next decade. I receive weekly evidence of this through emails regarding new clubs going up and certification training sessions in cities that didn’t have padel courts a few months ago. Anytime we travel, I visit new clubs in places like Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Chicago, Phoenix and Sarasota. It’s like little brush fires all over the country, and hubs like Miami and New York are crushing it. Like pickleball, it’s easy to learn the basics, but becoming excellent at padel takes a lot of match play experience. The biggest difference I see between those two games is that younger, more athletic players gravitate toward padel because their speed and reflexes give them such an advantage.

The game has many dimensions. The felt on the ball – essentially the exact same ball as used for tennis – allows for touch, angles and feel, but power is also a huge element. The cost of entry into padel, especially when played outdoors, is not that steep, which will allow more players to play at least occasionally. I believe most club owners will understand this and will structure membership models that allow for hourly fees as well as unlimited play.

Q.

Are you finding that it’s easy to fill your padel courts, and why do you think that is?

A.

Honestly, I’m not marketing my club at all yet, and we have plenty of play. We don’t have a website and don’t attempt to have any social media presence. The goal was to give our MBCC friends (85% of our padel members are MBCC members) a place to play together and at least break even financially.

That happened right away, so I’m in a holding pattern – accepting new members but not looking to add courts at the warehouse or elsewhere in town – until we can determine if the courts can be moved to MBCC, their rightful location! Most of all, my whole family –- wife, Doneta, our three newly-married daughters and their husbands – loves to play together during the indoor season. Pretty much every Sunday evening is spent at Fight Club with sports on tv and pizza or BBQ on the menu. For us, it truly is a family affair, whether it’s actual blood lines or the extended racquet sports family we’ve acquired over four-plus decades!

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 1 7

M id w e s t C o n n e c t io n N e w s l e t t e r - P a ge 1 8

PRO-LEVEL QUALITY GAME AFTER GAME SELKIRK SEMI-PERMANENT PICKLEBALL NET

Get yours at Selkirk.com

Greg Aten

Midwest Executive Director Racquet Sports Professionals Association 386 Kings Court Copley, OH. 44321