SUMMER 2021
MIDWEST CONNECTION Happy Retirement Carol!!! BY MARY HERRICK, USPTA PROFESSIONAL Carol Anderson, Executive Director for the United States Professional Tennis Association’s Midwest Division for the past 35 years, has retired. It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to our highly respected Executive Director of 35 years as she leaves us to enjoy a life filled with family, fun, and even some time for herself! Before Google, before video conferencing and sophisticated mobile devices, Carol Anderson found a way to stay connected to the Midwest Division’s tennis teaching professionals as well as colleagues around the country. With grace and humility, she taught, guided, and mentored hundreds of young tennis teachers and coaches who were certified as part of the United States Professional Tennis Association’s (USPTA) Midwest Division. As Executive Director, Carol became the face of the USPTA Midwest Division. She helped plan many division conferences and world conventions. One of the highlights of a business trip was being greeted at the registration desk by Carol’s warm smile and sincere voice. Somehow before the trip was over you always found your way back to that desk to have a personal conversation with the wonderful lady who was kind enough to take the time to listen and help tackle whatever challenges you were facing. She has been referred to as friend, mentor, teacher, and even a second mom! She knew that teaching tennis was only part of the training required to be a well-rounded professional and she made sure we were all aware of the importance of organization, education, and follow-through. Carol was recognized throughout her career in many ways, but it was an honor for everyone in our division when she was inducted into the USPTA Midwest Hall of Fame in 2017. Who knew more about tennis and the many nuances required to be a true tennis professional then Carol Anderson? As technology changed, she embraced it; as the USPTA transformed, she provided direction; as disasters such as 9/11 and the COVID pandemic hit, she found a way to keep our division intact. She did all of this while raising a family and moving from Michigan to Ohio, then on to Georgia, Texas, Connecticut, and now Oregon. Carol is a devoted wife to her wonderful husband, Kirk, as well and a loving mother to her children and an adoring grandmother to her children’s children. As we bid farewell to the remarkable tenure of our dear friend, Carol – who I am sure is on to bigger and better things – I would like to leave her with a personal memory I know she will enjoy. At one point in my career, Past President Lee Ann Berning, Carol, and I were sitting in a meeting at a World Conference as they discussed Judy Levering, the first woman president of the USTA. It was a moment of great pride for the women teaching professionals in our division. Carol is a forward thinker, a quiet influencer, who cleared the path for us all. She encouraged us to step up and be leaders in our industry and provided the encouragement and support we needed to succeed. For this we will always be grateful. On behalf of the Midwest Division, we wish Carol and her family much deserved joy, happiness, love, and relaxation! God bless you and your family, Carol. You are a part of us all.
This issue: President's Message
Page 02
August Summer Symposium
Page 03
Midwest Hall of Fame Inductees & Award Winners
Page 03
Western Southern Open is Back
Page 04
Midwest Nominations Wanted
Page 05
2021 Midwest Officers
Page 05
Does Your Staff Need Some Energy?
Page 06
Empowering Tennis Players Pages 08 & 09 Through Mental Strength Coaching Learn Tennis Fast
Page 10
In The News
Page 10
Maxing Out of Tennis - Who Is Max?
Page 12
2021 USPTA World Conference
Page 14
WC21 Registration
Page 15
WC21 Agenda
Page 18