Addvantage 2010 May

contents the total professional – enhancing your career

departments 3 CEO’s message

Ask the Professor 7 Evidence keeps building: Tennis improves brain power –

by Jack Groppel, Ph.D., FACSM , USPTA Master Professional

5 Vice president’s message 28 Classifieds 33 USPTA drills

36 Career development 23 Competition: Completing your Little Tennis pathway – 38 Industry action

by Craig S. Jones, USPTA 26 Radio personality pursues passion with racquet and words – by Jill Phipps, USPTA news

9 USPTA Executive Committee and board commit to health initiative – Will you?

28 USPTA seeks nominations for national board

convention 11 The bang for your buck – World Conference delivers value 13 2010 USPTA World Conference 14 Award nominations due July 2 – Nominate an inspirational USPTA Professional today!

15 Conference schedule 18 Registration form 19 Hotel form 20 International Championship form On the cover – Seminars at the 2010 World Confernce in La Quinta, whether on a scenic court or in a classroom, will help you “power up your profession.”

volume 34 • issue 5

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 e-mail – magazine@uspta.org

Shawna Riley Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan John Dettor

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Editor Managing editor Circulation Advertising

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

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. 2010. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ADDvantage/May 2010

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CEO’s message Determining the way the world learns to play tennis – That’s Who We Are!

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had already decided I wanted to revisit USPTA’s In recent years, it seems the various compoimportance as a trade association for tennis- nents of our industry have sometimes “blurred the teaching professionals when I learned that one lines” of responsibility in the name of growing the of our colleagues had passed away in England. game. Sure, we have manufacturers, trade associa Maj. Sammy Brancker, 90, was the former tions and our governing body – the USTA. The chairman and president of the Professional Tennis problem is that the public – whether they play Coaches Association of Great Britain. He oversaw the game or not – is sometimes confused about many changes during his tenure, including a name who to contact when it comes to learning tennis. change to the British Tennis Coaches Association While there are many activities out there promoted and sponsored by USTA, TIA and (now called TennisCoachUK), a various manufacturers, tennis isn’t growing relationship with the Lawn an easy game to learn. Unlike other Tennis Association of Great Britain, sports, you can’t pick up a racquet, and the merger of the professional go to the local court and expect to coaches with the assistant coach divifind a suitable partner with whom sion of the former PTCA. to rally. It’s certainly not as easy as Sammy was at one time a fixture grabbing a basketball and going to at many USPTA World Conferences, the neighborhood park to shoot and we enjoyed deep conversations some hoops with a random group about our respective trade associaof people. tions and their roles in improving the That’s where we come in. lives and livelihoods of tennis profesUSPTA and other teaching groups sionals. Like many of us, Sammy Tim Heckler need to be recognized and proworked in tennis for much of his life.

While he certainly had the business acumen for his moted as the experts in teaching – by everyone job as head administrator of his trade association, in tennis. That means while other groups might he brought something to the position that many specialize in leagues, racquet stringing, ball people couldn’t – the personal experience of playing production and the U.S. Open, we specialize in and teaching tennis. So, when he became chairman teaching, coaching and developing the players to of the BTCA, he had a firsthand perspective about fill the events, buy the products and compete in what his members needed and wanted. Aside from the Grand Slams. improving benefits for teaching pros, he wanted As your trade association, we strive to promote nothing more than to promote their image as experts your status in tennis through public relations, adin teaching tennis. To do this, he studied and sought vertising, educational efforts and more. Our goal is out affiliations with similar groups, including an to collaborate with allied groups to further fortify alliance with USPTA. your role and its importance to the overall success of My own previous involvement in tennis strength- tennis. As a member of USPTA, you must demand ens my determination to see that the right things are respect for the work you do. As a professional tennis done on behalf of teaching professionals. And, per- coach and teacher, you determine how the game is haps the most important goal I have is to continually taught and you have great influence over whether stress the belief that tennis-teaching organizations your students continue to play the game for years and their individual members should be viewed by to come. other segments of our industry as the groups and We must not lose sight of the fact that USPTA people who determine how tennis should be taught determines the way the world learns to play tennis and played. I know Sammy would agree. and – That’s Who We Are!  www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

As a member of USPTA, you must demand respect for the work you do. As a professional t­ ennis coach and teacher, you determine how the game is taught and you have great influence over whether your students continue to play the game for years to come.

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Vice president’s message 50 best practices for career resilience

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President

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hese are challenging times, for sure, for a large 3. Be obsessive about keeping your facility clean and attractive. number of our members. Never has personal resiliency been so important to the well-being 4. Make sure your staff has everything they need to be successful. of our teaching professionals and coaches. Here’s the big question: Who can our members look to for 5. Treat everyone the same at your club. Never play favorites. sound counsel in this protracted economic storm that seems to have no boundaries? My first instinct as a 6. Check your ego at the door as a coach. new board member was to turn to our most accom- 7. Do the unpleasant things on your list as early in the day as possible. plished and successful members for navigational ad8. Never, ever gossip about your vice. Clearly, no one would be better members. equipped to provide real insight into 9. Always wear clean clothes and resiliency and sustainability than our look professional at all times. own best in class who have brilliantly 10. Make your staff feel they work weathered life’s storms for scores of with, not for, you. years. In keeping with this, Executive 11. Build healthy relationships with Committee members were asked to members but do not try to beidentify USPTA members who they come best friends. felt were great examples of resiliency 12. Spend most of your time working and sustained career success. Of those with people who do not love you. identified, 12 agreed to detail the 13. Make sure you know everyone best practices that have served them Jim Loehr, Ed.D. at your club whether they play so well over so many years. This kind tennis or not. Call them by their name each and of personal reflection and analysis was no simple every time. task and consumed many hours of deliberation and 14. Never cancel events once they are publicized. consideration. We owe the following people a very Make less money but give everyone a fabulous special thank you for their penetrating insight: experience and the next event will have plenty of participants.

Mark Savage Ron Woods 15. Hire only USPTA pros to ensure quality between Bunny Bruning Angel Lopez all your teaching professionals.

Doug MacCurdy Dave Romberg 16. Return all calls on the day they are received.

Jim Reffkin Rick Vetter 17. Listen very carefully and respectfully to your Jack Michalko Patrick Kearns members’ issues.

Jimmy Parker Joe Thompson 18. Bring excitement, enthusiasm and high energy to everyone you touch. Never bring your problems What emerged from the hearts and minds of to your members or students. these 12 veteran professionals was a virtual treasure trove of career insights, wisdom and life learnings. I 19. Find a great mentor and seek advice on a regular basis. Find ways to show your appreciation. found their writing to be profoundly practical and stunningly insightful, as I hope you will. I took 20. Always bring back exciting new drills, activithe liberty of translating their writings into 50 best ties, tournaments and merchandise ideas from practices.

USPTA conferences. This will ensure they will always want you to attend.

1. Value learning and challenges over security. The 21. Come to work every day like it was your first day on the job. only security we have is to continue to grow.

2. Work every day to keep the victim mentality 22. Ask yourself every day, “What could I do today to make things better than they were yesterday?” from corrupting your mindset. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Tom Daglis

First Vice President

continued next page

Randy Mattingley

Vice Presidents

Bunny Bruning Mark Fairchilds Chuck Gill Jack Groppel Jim Loehr

Past President

Harry Gilbert

WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO

Tim Heckler

Director of Operations

Rich Fanning

Administrative Director

Marty Bostrom

Director of Communications

Shawna Riley

Creative Services Director

Julie Myers

Publications Manager/ Kim Forrester Managing Editor Director of Public Relations

Poornima Rimm

Communications

Jill Phipps

Director of Marketing

John Dettor

Sports Marketing Coordinator

Rick Bostrom

Digital Asset Director

Timothy Heckler

Digital Asset Coordinator/ Ramona Husaru Tennis Multimedia Management Video Production Director

Joe Birkmire

Video Editor

Nick Warwick

Video Editor/ Flash Designer

Aisha Nelson

Director of Fred Viancos Professional Development Corporate Janice Stollenwerck Services Administrator Receptionist

Erin Ortbal

Director of Information Technology

Dan Wilson

Information Technology/ Multimedia

Scott Bucic

Divisional Executive Administrator

Kalin Cogar

Director of Computer Service

Kathy Buchanan

Membership and Certification Manager Membership Membership/ Insurance Assistant Director of Finance Payroll/Benefits Controller Merchandise/ Accounting Assistant

Vicky Tristan Sylvia Ortiz Melony DeLoach Kathy Ladner Renée Heckler

Ellen Weatherford Shelina Harris

Legal Counsel Attorney-at-law

Paul Waldman

For information, write the USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone 713-97-USPTA 800-USPTA-4U Fax 713-978-7780 uspta@uspta.org www.uspta.com Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

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Evidence keeps building: Tennis improves brain power

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by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., FACSM, USPTA Master Professional

Question: I was recently reviewing the updated website, www. tennis-health.com, and was fascinated to read about the effects of playing tennis on the brain. To me, this is yet another incredible reason to get people to our facilities and on our tennis courts. Would you please go into more detail on this?

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Answer: In my first column on this topic, we discussed the general exercise research and the implications toward improved brain function. The plethora of research supports, without

doubt, the following facts: The more one exercises, the more active one is, the greater the intensity of exercise, and the higher one’s level of fitness, the more positive the benefits for the brain. Before transitioning directly to tennis, let me mention another study that came to my attention since the last column was written. This research was published in December 2009, by a group out of ­Sweden, in the “Proceedings of the ­National Academy of Sciences.” They found that high levels of cardiovascular fitness, achieved by age

Tennis, when it comes to being focused, outperforms numerous other activities such as golf, running, weightlifting, inline skating and downhill skiing.

Jack Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA Master Professional, is ­co-founder of the Human Performance Institute. He is the author of The Corporate Athlete and co-author of World Class Tennis Technique. Information can be found at­­­energyforperformance.com. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

18, were directly associated and could actually be used to predict educational achievement later in life. Now, let’s examine the scientific literature and see what has been found relative to tennis, and also what some top

a long time. From his previous book, “A User’s Guide to the Brain,” Ratey said, “Neurons that fire together wire together means that the more we repeat the same actions and thoughts – from practicing a tennis serve

Let’s change the world together and get people on the tennis court! experts perceive as the benefits of playing our great game.

What is it about tennis that might help people who participate in this sport have an edge over people who are not active or who participate in other activities? I am not out to bash other activities, but only cite what the literature and various experts are saying. Given that, let’s discuss what some believe happens, in tennis, to facilitate positive brain growth.

Several experts in the mid- to late 1990s posed that, because tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, it may generate new connections between nerves in the brain and promote a lifetime of continuing brain development. Pursuant to those initial discussions, John Ratey, Harvard psychiatrist and author of the critically acclaimed book, “Spark,” has been a fan of the benefits reaped from tennis for

to memorizing multiplication tables – the more we encourage the formation of certain connections and the more fixed the neural circuits in the brain for that activity become.”

Now, let’s discuss how a person’s brain responds to various situations such as being hopeful or optimistic versus being negative and pessimistic. Dr. Jim Gavin, author of “The Exercise Habit,” wrote a peer-reviewed journal article for The Physician and Sportsmedicine in 2004, citing that tennis, when it comes to being focused, outperforms numerous other activities such as golf, running, weightlifting, inline skating and downhill skiing.

In a similar vein, Dr. Joan Finn and her colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University discovered that tennis players scored higher in optimism, while scoring lower in anxiety and tension than other athletes continued next page ADDvantage/May 2010

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USPTA Executive Committee and board commit to health initiative – Will you?

by Jack L. Groppel, Ph.D., USPTA vice president

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t the recent USPTA Executive Committee meeting, all 60 members committed to running a Tennis Across America™ program at their facilities. The theme for ­Tennis Across America is Tennis – for the health of it!, which is especially important since this year we are part of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and the United States surgeon general has announced a major initiative to battle the war on obesity.

Our great game has all the benefits that the surgeon general recommends for activities and organizations. USPTA has received acclaim from the surgeon general’s office supporting Tennis – for the health of it!, and we know that it will do two things for you as a USPTA Professional: 1. It will give you tremendous support and confidence from your current members, which will strengthen your successful tennis programs even more.

2. It will serve as a positive outreach program to your community to help you build your numbers for your programs.

Many USPTA Professionals already run Tennis Across America clinics each year for those very reasons, benefiting their own business and growing the game. And, with USPTA’s newly redesigned website for Tennis – for the health of it!, in addition to the PR tools at your disposal, the sky’s the limit for what you can do at your facility and in your community! So, here is what you can do and how we can help you:

Steve Henry, USPTA, hosted a TAA event at Earlywine Tennis Center in Oklahoma City last year.The event incorporated Little Tennis, QuickStart Tennis Play Format, and Cardio Tennis.

1. Once a date is determined, please register it on our website, www.uspta.com, and use the Quick Links box to go to the ­Tennis Across America section of the website to find the registration form. Simply fill out the form and submit it to national.

Just remember to register your event before the July 1 deadline.

2. Take just a few minutes at the beginning of each new lesson to introduce Tennis – for the health of it! and the benefits of tennis as they pertain to each age group, such as children, women, seniors, etc.

3. We are going to share what we are doing with the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and with the surgeon general’s office.

4. Have all of your members sign on to the Tennis – for the health of it! website, www.tennis-health.com, and also get connected with the blog. We want people of all ages and skill levels connected with USPTA, and Tennis – for the health of it!

5. Go to www.uspta.com (and access all the public relations tools that USPTA has developed to assist you in all aspects of your program).

In summary, your USPTA leaders believe that this is so important that 100 percent of them are committed to conducting programs in their communities. Join them, and let’s join the leadership of the United States in getting people more active and healthier!

We look forward to hearing from you regarding your programs, and to seeing your members share their ideas on the blog at www. tennis-health.com. 

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/May 2010

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The bang for your buck World Conference delivers value

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t’s time to start making plans again to attend the USPTA World Conference on Tennis. If you’ve never been, you should know that it is the premier educational event for the tennis industry, designed to put you at the top of your game with seminars from the world’s leading experts. It is the country’s largest tennis gathering of teaching professionals, industry leaders and representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers and media. Also during the conference, USPTA hosts its International Tennis Championships, Board and Executive Committee meetings, nighttime entertainment, industry meetings, the nation’s largest tennis-only buying show, silent auction, awards presentation and other exciting events.

But more than that, it’s just really cool.

Do you think this is a great opportunity, but are still concerned about the expense? You should know that this conference is not only worthwhile, but that it offers you some of the best profit-building opportunities around. You can’t afford to miss it.

First, with your registration fee, you receive the following: n A

selection of seminars, forums and general sessions

n Food

and drink at the Wednesday night party

n Awards n Access n A

breakfast

to the buying show

meal at the buying show

n Access

to the silent auction

n Limited-edition n Cardio

T-shirt

Tennis and TennisCize clinics

n Division

party

n Conference

notebook, program and other giveaways

But wait, there’s more!

There are many potential benefits of attending the 2010 USPTA World Conference on Tennis. No vague promises here; we’re talking bottom-line, dollars-and-cents results. Take a few moments to consider each item on the list and mentally calculate the economic benefits the conference can give you. When you’re finished, you’ll agree: The World Conference is one of the best bargains around.

Advertising: How much profit can you generate for your facility through just one terrific advertising idea you pick up by talking with other pros at the conference? You’ll find plenty of time to mingle with the pros between seminars, during the tennis buying show and while attending the welcoming and division parties.

Barter: A popular practice these days! How many business expenses can you save by exchanging products or services with colleagues you meet during the conference? Join more than 1,200 speakers, guests and teaching professionals who attend the conference each year anticipating new ideas, connections and friends.

Consultation: What’s the economic value of picking the brains of top people in your industry, people you’re bound to meet in the hallways and forums of your conference? You won’t want to miss your chance to speak with experts such as Tom Gorman, Dennis Ralston or Joy Macci at this year’s conference.

Employees: If you’re searching for new employees, the World Conference is a great place to network, which can cut the cost of headhunter fees and recruiting. Learn about good recruiting practices from your peers nationally and regionally.

World Conference gives you education and networking at the same time. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Outlines and notes: Spend time at the conference seminars, and you can walk away with well-organized notes on everything from business fundamentals to the most recent advances in tennis. From your seminar notes to conference handouts, what’s a well-stocked library of such reference information worth? continued next page ADDvantage/May 2010 11

from previous page Ideas: Ideas abound at conferences, from every quarter. Uncover top-notch ideas by attending specialty courses, seminars, general sessions and forums.

Jobs: Conferences are also full of leads on contract and sales opportunities, and new profit centers. What’s the economic value of just one new prospect?

Knowledge: Seminars and workshops can easily cost several hundred dollars a day. At the World Conference, top-flight seminars are included in the conference registration fee. With more than 30 seminars offered this year, you’ll gain valuable knowledge while saving a bundle.

Marketing opportunities: How many marketing leads, sales or direct response programs, or promotional opportunities can you uncover at your conference? Implement one new program idea after the conference and watch your business grow.

News: If you read 50 or 60 of the nation’s top business periodicals regularly, you can stay abreast of news important to you – or you can hear a synthesis of the latest trends and activities – put into the specific context of your tennis business – at the conference. How valuable is the news-gathering time you’ll save by participating in conference activities?

Products: How many popular new products or services can you identify during your conference? With more than 70 booths scheduled for the tennis buying show, how much profit can you earn by introducing one new top-selling item to your line?

Recognition: Distribute the news release included in your conference notebook to your local media, letting your boss, customers and community know that you participated in a vital educational experience. Actively participate in conference seminars or apply to make a presentation next year. How many clients can you attract by positioning yourself as an active, involved expert in your field?

Supply: Visit the booths at the tennis buying show and attempt to uncover new sources of supply. How much money can you save by using less expensive vendors? How much profit can you earn by using new vendors offering attractive new sales options?

Tax breaks: Don’t forget that educational expenses – including registration fees, specialty courses, books, transportation, meals and lodging – incurred for education, are sometimes tax deductible. Be sure to consult your tax preparer for details.

Vacation: Last but not least, a conference is time away, a chance for you to break your usual routine and refresh yourself. What better place to do this than La Quinta? What’s the value of giving yourself vigorous energy and new perspectives?

Conventional wisdom says to spend a small percentage of your income each year on training or self-improvement. When you consider the cost of the World Conference that way, contrasted with the opportunities for gain, the decision to attend should be an easy one.

The World Conference can bring you personal and professional renewal. Seize the opportunities the conference offers, and it will bring you tremendous benefits long after you return home. 

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We’ve put together a short list of things to do to make the most of your time.

• If you are on Facebook, go to our events page and select that you are attending. Make note of who else is going to be there.

If you want to talk shop with colleagues you haven’t seen in a while, contact them beforehand and arrange to meet during the event.

• Think about the problems and challenges you’ve faced over the last year – and keep these in mind as you select workshops and seminars during the conference.

• If you’ve run any special events, or had any unusual accomplishments or successes over the past year, bring samples of manuals, ads, posters and other materials you can share with your colleagues.

• Use your conference notebook as a planner. USPTA will provide you with a notebook at registration that will contain a schedule, seminar outlines, speaker bios, note paper and more. Carry your notebook with you throughout the conference.

• Read about presenters before you attend their workshops. Learn about their backgrounds and interests, and you’ll better prepare yourself for their presentations.

• Sit in a strategic location during seminars. Sit where you can gain a clear, unobstructed view of the speaker – and where you can offer the speaker nonverbal feedback during his presentation.

• Ask questions. A good seminar will always leave you brimming with new information and ideas.

• Keep an idea journal that is separate from your general seminar notes. Enter useful action strategies or items to research or follow up on. Enter useful ideas as they’re triggered by someone’s comments. Later, you can use the journal as an action resource.

• Meet as many speakers and presenters as possible. Perhaps you can converse with a speaker for a few minutes after her talk, or arrange to meet her for lunch.

• Always wear your name badge. The more you’re noticed, the more opportunities you’ll have for interaction with your peers.

• Visit exhibitors twice. During your walk-through, take casual notice of the products and services offered by exhibitors at the Tennis Buying Show. Pick up literature and ask a few questions.

Study the material you pick up and make a list of more detailed questions. The next time around you’ll be prepared to study specific products in greater depth.

• Carry plenty of business cards. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to discuss a business deal, acquire information from an acquaintance, or set up post-conference business.

• Bring along your planner. You never know, too, when you might have the opportunity to set up an important meeting with a vendor or colleague.

• Share your knowledge and insights with others. Before you leave for home, make a list of key insights you’ve gained – and resolve to share them with colleagues back at your facility or office. The result: you’ll get an even greater return on the time and money you invested at the conference, and you’ll build good will among your colleagues. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

2010 USPTA World Conference

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he USPTA World Conference on Tennis will be held Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at the La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, Calif.

The conference is the premier educational event for the tennis industry with 40 general sessions, seminars and specialty courses ­offered. It is the country’s largest tennis gathering with approximately 1,500 attendees expected, including tennis professionals, industry leaders and representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers and media.

Also during the conference, USPTA hosts its International Tennis Championships, board and Executive Committee meetings, nighttime parties, industry meetings, the nation’s largest tennis-only buying show, silent auction, awards presentation and more.

Attire for conference events Attire for all conference events is resort casual or tennis attire. Please wear a collared shirt or socially casual attire to the awards breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 30.

Room share USPTA members who would like to find a roommate for their stay at the conference should contact Janice Stollenwerck at the USPTA World Headquarters at 800-USPTA-4U, or janice.stollenwerck@uspta.org.

Airport and transportation services Taxis, limousines and shuttles can be arranged to transport you and your group to and from LAX, Ontario and Palm Springs International Airports or any other destination. Please contact the hotel concierge at 800-598-3828 for rates and information.

Car rental Avis and Enterprise will offer discounted rates. 

Avis: Call 800-331-1600 and use discount code U353920

 Enterprise:

Call 800-593-0505 and use discount code L060268 (PIN: USP)

Main registration Main registration fees include all educational programming ­(except specialty courses), admittance and meals at parties and the awards breakfast, admittance to the USPTA Tennis Buying Show, early-morning cardio workouts and conference giveaways. Tournament registration is not included. Save up to $100 by registering by Aug. 21.

Guest registration Guest registration includes all educational programming (except specialty courses), admittance and meals at parties and the awards breakfast, admittance to the USPTA Tennis Buying Show, early-morning workouts, conference giveaways, and admittance to the spouse/ guest luncheon.

Specialty course registration Attendees may sign up for specialty courses on the official conference registration form.

Specialty courses are worth 2 USPTA Continuing Education Units and cost $40 for the first course, $35 for the second course, and $30 for all other courses. Outlines will be available at the conference registration desk.

Tournament registration The USPTA International Championships will be Sept. 21-24. The entry fee is $50 for singles and $20 per person for doubles. The deadline to enter is Sept. 10. Professional-level members in good standing who preregister for the World www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Conference are eligible. All certification requirements must have been completed by June 27 to allow for exam grading and application processing. The tournament is sanctioned by the USTA. Players who would like to represent their divisions may compete in the USPTA Team Championships, Sept. 25. It will be a prizemoney event and will include a team entry fee.

Contact your division president or executive director/administrator for more information.

USPTA conference check-in The USPTA conference registration desk will be open during designated hours from Sunday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. to Friday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m.

Resort check-in Check-in time is after 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. For your convenience, we recommend that you carry a change of clothes in your carryon bag in the event that your room is not ready when you arrive.

Tax deduction Education expenses incurred to maintain or improve skills required by a person in his or her employment are generally tax-deductible.

Educational expenses include tuition (conference registration and specialty courses), books, local transportation and travel, meals and lodging while away from home when the trip is primarily to obtain education (Treasury Regulation 1.162-5). Consult your tax preparer for details regarding deductions.

Visit uspta.com for more information.

Testing/upgrading Members interested in taking the PTCA1 or upgrading their classification must register by Sept. 7 by calling the USPTA Membership Department. The exam and PTCA1 will be offered in portions over a four-day period. The PTCA1 will be available in English and Spanish. Anyone interested in becoming certified must meet the requirements for membership before registering for the exam.

Spouse/guest programs Spouses and other guests who would like to take a free private and/or group tennis lesson may do so by calling the USPTA Membership Department. You may also sign up on a spaceavailable basis at the registration desk. The following times are available: Tuesday, Sept.

28, 1 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, 3 – 5 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 2, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A spouse/guest luncheon will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. To be eligible for the luncheon, spouses and other guests must be registered for the convention.

Education Conference attendees may choose from a large number of education sessions. Programs will address current issues and future challenges facing all tennis teachers. Forty educational sessions have been planned, including eight specialty courses. All sessions will fall under one of the following four educational tracks: teaching, facility management, professional development and sport science.  ADDvantage/May 2010

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Award nominations due July 2 Nominate an inspirational USPTA Professional today!

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SPTA is looking for deserving tennis professionals who are growing the game of tennis as it accepts nominations for the 2010 national awards program. Awards are presented in every facet of the tennis business in which USPTA members work. Don’t let your fellow USPTA professionals go unnoticed.

USPTA is accepting nominations for the national awards program through July 2. All Professional-level members are eligible.

Award category definitions, nomination forms and guidelines are available at www.uspta.com, by calling 800-877-8248 or by sending a request to pr@uspta.org.

Award categories include: USPTA Stars are members who have dedicated many years to volunteering in grassroots tennis, and bring the sport and sportsmanship to the players they touch. Their giving spirits have made them heroes in their own communities. Few of us will have heard of the people who receive this award, but their stories are inspiring, and almost all of us know at least one person who deserves a nomination.

The USPTA Industry Excellence Award is given to teaching professionals who take both an altruistic and entrepreneurial attitude toward their jobs. They use their own resources and those offered by the industry to build programs that bring tennis to more people. At the same time, they are successful in growing a tennis business. The recipient of this award will receive a $1,000 grant from the Tennis Industry Association and a Tennis Tutor ball machine from Sports Tutor for use in his or her grassroots programs.

The Alex Gordon Award for Professional of the Year recognizes a member who, over a career, has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas, including: contributions to USPTA and USTA; as a teaching professional, player and coach; in education, research and publications; and with other organizations, achievements and contributions.

The only USPTA award available to nonmembers is for Facility Manager of the Year. Applicants/nominees must be the general manager (in function, if not in title) of a club or tennis facility.

College Coach of the Year and High School Coach of the Year award recipients are usually selected based on their results as team coaches, however individual coaches may be considered.

The Touring Coach of the Year is selected on the basis of his or her work with playing professionals on the ATP tour or the WTA tour and/or touring juniors.

Players who have been the most successful at the USPTA International Championships, as well as international, national and sectional competition may apply for the Player of the Year award.

The eight categories for this award are: Men’s open, women’s open, men’s 35-and-over, women’s 35-and-over, men’s 45-and-over, women’s 45-and-over, men’s 55-and-over and women’s 55-andover.

14 ADDvantage/May 2010

Robert Greene Jr., 2009 USPTA Professional of the Year.

The George Bacso Tester of the Year award recognizes the USPTA tester who does the most to advance certification opportunities and the certification process.

The USPTA Lessons for LifeTM Award recognizes those USPTA members who have done the most to raise money for charities through tennis events. While the award spotlights individuals who have raised large amounts of money, it also honors those hosting the most creative, original or unique tennis event to raise money for charities. An individual hosting an event raising the most money will not necessarily receive this award.

The USPTA Tennis Across AmericaTM Award recognizes those USPTA members who have done the most to get people to play tennis. Established in 1990, TAA is the original, free, grassroots lesson program. It also has a multicultural segment that targets various communities and potential players who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play. While the award does look at individuals who have held the most free clinics with the greatest number of participants, it also looks at individuals hosting the most creative, original or unique free tennis event to get people to play the game.

Division award recipients are not automatically nominated for national awards. Division award recipients should ask division leaders if they should complete their own nomination form. All nominations and supporting materials must be received at the World Headquarters by July 2.

National awards will be presented Sept. 30 during the World Conference on Tennis in La Quinta, Calif.  www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Conference schedule Please note: This is a tentative schedule for planning purposes only. Speakers and times are subject to change.

Monday, Sept. 27 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration

9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

International Championships

7:30 – 9 p.m.

Tournament player party

Tuesday, Sept. 28 7 – 8 a.m.

Cardio Tennis TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration U.S. Pro Tennis Shop

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Executive Committee meeting International Championships

11 a.m. – noon

Turning negative income into positive income in your club – Fernando Velasco Creative and quick teaching tips – Joe Dinoffer

1 – 2:30 p.m.

General session

1 – 6 p.m.

On-court upgrading

2:45 – 6:45 p.m.

Specialty course 1 – Scott Ford/Desmond Oon Specialty course 2 – TBA

3 – 4 p.m.

Seminar – Page Love Seminar – Presentation by Master Pros

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Clay court maintenance, part 1 – Ed Montecalvo Playing tennis is as easy as 1,2,3: From beginners to ranked players – Mary Pat Faley

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Staying “bullet proof” at your club – Matt Grayson Clay court maintenance, part 2 – Pat Hanssen

7 p.m.

Division parties

Wednesday, Sept. 29 7 – 8 a.m.

Cardio Tennis TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration U.S. Pro Tennis Shop

8 a.m. – noon

PTCA I (written, grips, stroke analysis, English and Spanish) Specialty course 3 – Rod Heckelman Specialty course 4 – Brett Hobden

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

International Championships

8:30 – 10 a.m.

TennisCize – spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

9 – 10 a.m.

Seminar – Bruce Levine From adult beginners to players – Townsend Gilbert

10:30 a.m. – noon

General session – Randy Mattingley

11:30 a.m.

Spouses luncheon

1– 2:30 p.m.

General session: Women’s winning biomechanics – Joy Macci

1 – 6 p.m.

Certification Exam (on-court portions)

3 – 4 p.m.

Optimal recovery for high-performance tennis – Todd Ellenbecker/Mark Kovacs Developing champions through Little Tennis – Craig Jones

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Seminar – Courtside USA

continued next page www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

ADDvantage/May 2010

15

from previous page OK, good to great tennis lessons – Ajay Pant 6 – 7 p.m.

Manufacturer’s ad staff meetings

7:30 – 10 p.m.

Welcoming party

Thursday, Sept. 30 8 – 10 a.m.

Awards breakfast

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Registration

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

U.S. Pro Tennis Shop

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

International Championships finals

10:30 a.m. – noon

General session – USPTA

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

TennisCize – Spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Buying show setup (exhibitors)

12 – 1 p.m.

Cardio Tennis feeding contest qualifying

1 – 2:30 p.m.

General session – Nick Bollettieri

1 – 4 p.m.

Manufacturers on-court demos

3 – 4 p.m.

Seminar – Phil Lancaster Seminar – Tom Gorman

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Open forum – Business essentials Open forum – Best practices Open forum – The new style pro

5 – 10 p.m.

Tennis Buying Show

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Silent auction

6:30 – 8 p.m.

Tennis Buying Show dinner

Friday, Oct. 1 7 – 8 a.m.

Cardio Tennis TennisCize – early-bird tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration U.S. Pro Tennis Shop Specialty course 5 – John Yandell Specialty course 6 – TBA

9 – 10 a.m.

180° racquet turn makes the difference in the modern game – Martin Baroch Seminar – Jim McLennan

10 – 11:30 a.m.

TennisCize – spouses tennis aerobics, Donnia Bondallian

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

New age of match charting – Warren Pretorius Seminar – Ron Holmberg

Noon – 1 p.m.

Cardio Tennis feeding contest finals

1 – 2:30 a.m.

General session – Rick Macci

1 – 6 p.m.

International Team Championships

3 – 4 p.m.

Choking: causes and fixes – Allen Fox Seminar – Drills

3 – 5 p.m.

Certification Exam (on-court portions)

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Investing and saving for the future – Patti Lee Heidorn Doubles drills – Feisal Hassan

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Image is everything, well almost – Christi Turdo Synthesizing the modern game – all methods considered – Oscar Wegner

Saturday, Oct. 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Certification Exam (on-court portions)

8 a.m. – noon

Specialty course 7 – David Bone Specialty course 8: Cardio Tennis – Michele Krause

16

ADDvantage/May 2010

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Competition: Completing your Little Tennis pathway

by Craig S. Jones, USPTA

T

he pathway for young beginners starts with participation in USPTA Little Tennis™ clinics and then continues with competition. You can draw kids into the game – and your own programs – by holding organized play opportunities at your facility to supplement instruction in the clinics.

Most of the same concepts from Little Tennis clinics hold true for competition: • Start with cooperative skills and move toward actual points as the kids become more skilled and confident.

• Focus on providing a team activity and time around friends.

• Make sure that any skills involved and games played are appropriate for the level of the children.

• Emphasize team scores when kids are competing with individual skills.

• Focus on fun!

To start, you could take an existing round robin and add the QuickStart Play Format for under-10 players, or create a new event specifically for this age group. This could be an in-house league or a weekly portion of the paying clinic. You could call it USPTA Play Day, Super Saturday, Fun Friday, or anything else that helps “brand” your event. Regardless of the name, the goal is for the kids to have an informal setting where they can apply the skills they worked on during instruction or casual play.

The QuickStart Play Format has generated two more levels of “official” play for Little Tennis that did not exist before. Kids can now compete in sanctioned USTA tournaments and Junior Team Tennis in both under-8 (36-foot court) and under-10 (60-foot court) divisions. Our job as tennis professionals is to determine who is ready for this type of competition. Before putting students into either type of competition, let them test their skills at your facility “play days.”

Advantages of running your own play day Familiar faces and places One of the most overlooked aspects of starting children on the competitive pathway is the need for familiarity. Taking young kids who have just started to serve, rally and score, and having them face unknown opponents can be downright scary! In addition, playing in a league often means traveling to a brand-new facility, which takes them further out of their comfort zone. If handled properly, these players can be ready for Junior Team Tennis after www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Holding play days at your facility gives kids an opportunity for both socialization and skill development.

a few months. Handle this poorly, and we could lose them to another sport!

Flexible format Entry-level players need to play as many matches as possible and have a short-term memory when it comes to defeat. The goal is to apply and refine what they have practiced in clinics. The more experiences they have with different kids, the better. Even higherskilled players need a variety of opponents. Your format should reflect this philosophy.

Teams Kids love teams, and this is the best approach for the match format of your play day. Within a team, different levels and ages can be combined. (A 10-year-old beginner can play on a 36-foot court to develop confidence). Cooperative skill players (those who cannot rally) can play on the same team as more advanced players. This allows you to truly create a team environment at your facility. continued next page ADDvantage/May 2010 23

from previous page Economics An advantage to running an in-house play day is that the pro/facility retains the fees, or there is a no-charge option. Pros can sell a package deal, offering the play day for free, to students who sign up for all the Little Tennis clinics. Another option is “a la carte,” whereby an additional fee is charged for the play day. Including a T-shirt as part of the fee is a great idea and serves as another advertisement for your program. Finally, take advantage of courtsideusa.com and bundle the clinic, play day and T-shirt into one fee with online registration.

Organizing and running your play day Promotions The two most important approaches to U10 tennis are tailoring the instruction to the age group and implementing the appropriate competition. You can sell Little Tennis as the instruction and QuickStart as the play format and list them in all promotions.

Duration Duration is the length of the individual matches and the overall event itself. For U8 players, keep the matches/cooperative skill rotations to under 10 minutes and the overall play day under 1.5 hours. For U10, keep matches under 20 minutes and the overall event under two hours. Remember, as the players get older and their skill levels increase, the duration can be increased (i.e., tournament play).

Suggested scoring formats: U8 – 36-foot court • One tie-breaker to 7 with sudden death at 6-6 • One or two no-ad games • Timed matches – Play anywhere between three and eight minutes. A two-serves-and-rotate format works well with this age.

• Total number of points, i.e. play a total of 9 points, score could be 7-2 or 5-4

• Play until the first group finishes – Pick a scoring format and as soon as the first match ends, everyone stops where they are.

U10 – 60-foot court • One tie-breaker to 7 or 10, win by two or sudden death • Two out of three 7-point tiebreakers • One mini-set to four • Two out of three no-ad games • Timed matches • Play until the first group finishes.

Note: 60-foot court competition is a great time to introduce the concepts of two out of three and winning by two.

Teams The students will fall under three different levels; put all three levels on the same team.

• Kids who cannot rally and serve yet (Level I) • Kids who can serve and rally, but still struggle (Level II) • Kids who have no problem playing (Level III) Within each level utilize different formats. Some suggestions are: Level 1 • Cooperative skills with a partner for one or two minutes; then switch stations or repeat skill • Cooperative skills with a volunteer helper • Cooperative toss/catch or roll/catch games without racquet • Individual skills Level 2 • Team vs. team singles. Line teams up on opposite sides and rotate in opposite directions each round to ensure different opponents.

• Round robins with team vs. team. For larger numbers, players are grouped by ability.

• Multiple round robins with playoffs Level 3 • Compass draws – Players accumulate points for their team • Introduce doubles • College format with singles and doubles Making the transition to Junior Team Tennis JTT is the next progression in the competitive pathway. During facility play days, it should be apparent who can serve, rally and keep score. Even if kids struggle in these areas, they can be assisted by the court monitor during JTT. The true deterrent to advancing to JTT play is emotional immaturity. Kids who cry uncontrollably and show poor sportsmanship should not be allowed to move to the next step. Remember, some kids will be ready after their first play day, while others will take longer.

Photo by Christie Borne

Competition allows young players to apply and refine what they have learned in Little Tennis clinics.

24

ADDvantage/May 2010

Tips for running a more successful JTT league • Offer a tennis carnival, festival or Little Tennis Olympics to get ready for the first week of leagues. At this event, include fun games, team contests, etc., and find out the level of the players.

Once a player’s level is assessed, match pairings can become more exact. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

• Sharing, cooperating and communicating with a partner are not traits that most 6- to 7-year-olds possess.

• Playing one up/one back is a staple of doubles play. A 60-by-27foot court allows much more room for this type of formation, in addition to fewer collisions down the middle.

• Putting four 36-foot courts on one 78-foot court is relatively easy, which means eight kids playing singles at once. On a 60-foot or 78-foot court, only two players can play singles on that court.

This makes doubles a much better option in terms of player participation for 60- and 78-foot competition.

• Once players mature and are able to cooperate better, start playing doubles for U8. A great idea is to allow a practice doubles match for the more mature U8s to be played inside the 78-foot court service boxes. This makes a 42-by-27-foot court and gives more room to play one up/one back and creates a larger middle.

It’s gotta be fun!

• Offer a parents session for the first week. This is where expectations regarding their behavior and involvement will be discussed.

If parents are already assisting with the intraclub play day, the transition to JTT will be much smoother.

• The traditional format for JTT is that lineups are not discussed in advance; however, this should not be the case for QuickStart play. Arrange matches by level so the kids will feel more comfortable and confident.

• The site may vary each week, but all matches should be at the same facility. Kids can play on different teams and still be at the same location with their friends.

• After the first round of “official play” is finished, give the kids extra practice matches each week and shorten the scoring format.

• Put a parent or volunteer on court for every U8 match. Try to keep rotating so parents do not monitor their child’s match. For U10, put monitors on court according to experience level. A minimum of one monitor for every two courts is suggested.

• Any parent can be trained to monitor a 36-foot court match. For U10s, a parent or volunteer with some tennis experience helps.

• Utilize parents for every aspect of JTT league. Pros should do as little as possible, except for running the carnival and a parents orientation session at the beginning of the season.

Doubles There is considerable debate regarding doubles for the U8 league.

There are several things to consider before implementing doubles.

• You really can’t use 36-foot courts for doubles. (Two kids on a 36-foot court during instruction is doable, but in a competition it’s more difficult.)

• During basic singles play, there is so much for young kids to learn. Additional concepts such as doubles rotations can overload U8 players.

• Twice as many balls get hit playing singles as compared to doubles. This greatly accelerates the learning process. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

QuickStart tournaments QuickStart tournaments are a great step in the competitive pathway for U10 players. This is a chance for them to play one-on-one against unknown opponents in unfamiliar places. The overall duration of the event and the individual matches are normally longer than a play day and JTT. Depending on the level of the event, this may be the first experience with an elimination draw. Before encouraging players to enter tournaments, make sure they have survived the first three levels of the pathway with the right attitude toward competition.

In 2011, many USTA states and sections will be switching 10-andunder play to the QuickStart format. As a coach, become familiar with the type of format and duration of the tournament before suggesting that players enter that particular level of competition.

Some suggestions for QuickStart tournaments/competitions • Always play compass draws, round robins or layered feed-ins to guarantee at least three matches for every child.

• Try to play a team competition for the U8 division when possible.

• You can never have too many adult volunteers for events.

• If you incorporate QuickStart into an existing tournament, have a separate desk for the QuickStart portion of the tournament. A big desk with 100 people can be intimidating to little ones.

• U8s should play no more than two hours. U10s should play no more than four hours, unless it is a higher-level event.

• If you offer awards, make sure you give prizes for Best Sportsmanship, Most Improved, etc., not just first and second place.

Participatory certificates and gifts are a great idea, especially for your U8 players.

• Remember that U8, 36-foot-court competition is intended for local players. U10 competition on the 60-foot court should be the kids’ first experience playing outside of their immediate area.  Craig S. Jones is a USPTA P-1 and is the owner/director of tennis at the Petersburg Racquet Club in Martinez, Ga. Jones is considered an industry leader in the QuickStart Tennis Play Format. He has received numerous awards for his work with QuickStart, including 2007 USTA/USPTA Community Service Award and the 2007 RSI magazine Junior Champion of the Year.

ADDvantage/May 2010

25

Radio personality pursues passion with racquet and words

by Jill Phipps, USPTA staff writer

U

SPTA members typically love to talk about tennis and teaching, but not everyone works in front of a microphone.

Bill “Bubba” Bussey is making the most of that rare opportunity by promoting both the sport and the Association on his nationally syndicated radio talk show.

My passion is really for 30- and 40-year-olds who are tired of failed diets and the treadmill from a health standpoint ... I lost about 40 pounds and 100 points on my cholesterol when I first started playing four years ago.

Bussey, a new member and frontline tennis fan, partners with Rick Burgess to host the popular “Rick & Bubba Show” each weekday morning on WZZK-FM (104.7). WZZK is a country-format station in Birmingham, Ala. The show is heard on 55 stations in 15 states, mostly in the South, but reaches into parts of the Midwest and Northeast.

The two former high school athletes, now in their 40s, bill themselves as “the two sexiest fat men alive” and offer a family-friendly alternative to “shock-jock” entertainment.

The co-hosts’ achievements include earning a top-10 spot (in 2006) on the Billboard comedy albums chart; publishing five books, the latest being a humorous take on marriage; and lending their voices to a 2005 children’s DVD alongside Tim Conway and Don Knotts.

“You can’t live in the South and not be aware of Rick and Bubba,” said USPTA Master Professional Tommy Wade, who is chairman of the USPTA Testing Committee and the tester who administered Bussey’s certification exam.

Bussey, who decided to make the leap from USTA league player to certified teaching pro, took the USPTA Certification Exam in late February at Pelham Racquet Club in Pelham, Ala., a suburb of ­Birmingham.

Bussey passed his USPTA Certification Exam at a P-2 level, although he will

26

ADDvantage/May 2010

remain a Recreational Coach until he raises his NTRP rating from 3.5 to 4.0. This USTA adult-league state champion said he hopes to do that by the end of the year (with yet another scheduled trip to state).

He would eventually like to upgrade to P-1.

He first contacted Wade a year ago to ask about USPTA and the certification process. That conversation led to the scheduling of the test in Pelham.

Since that exam, Wade has twice been a guest on the Rick and Bubba Show. On the Monday morning after, the show’s producer called Wade on the air “to see if I passed … and if I was being too aggressive,” Bussey said. “Rick gives me a little grief about tennis; he thinks I’m obsessed.”

“It was a great experience and a lot of fun,” Wade said of the phone call, adding that dozens of people sent him e-mails inquiring about the USPTA. The second on-air interview was a birthday call to Bussey that included USPTA President Tom Daglis.

The Rick and Bubba Show features regular tennis talk and the website (­rickandbubba.com) lists and links to upcoming pro tournaments and other events.

The photo gallery on the show’s website includes several hundred tennis-related pictures, taken at area events, as well as the Bussey family at a U.S. Open match in New York. He also has posted pictures of himself and Wade from the certification

exam.

Bussey recently joined Wade in a round robin at the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center, where Wade is tennis director. The center is a facility of the Decatur, Ala., Parks and Recreation Department. About 40 people, “all fans of his,” turned out for the event, Wade said.

Bussey also is planning to attend the USPTA Southern Division Convention, scheduled for May 13-15 in Destin, Fla. Although he’s only been playing tennis for a few years, Bussey is passionate about the game, both on the court and in his community.

He served on the committee to bring the Davis Cup to Birmingham in March 2009, drawing the largest crowd for a first-round tie held on American soil (with more than 14,000 in attendance). Birmingham followed up that achievement by hosting a semifinal of the Fed Cup this April 24-25, and the United States women beat Russia 3-2.

In addition, “Rick and Bubba” have used their morning show to sponsor and promote both amateur and pro events at Pelham city facilities. They have staged the Rick and Bubba Super Summer Slam, as well as tennis exhibitions featuring pro players and attracting 1,200 to 1,500 attendees to the Pelham Civic Complex.

Bussey has personally taken on the likes of Mike and Bob Bryan and Luke Jensen in entertaining exhibition matches. He also hosted a clinic with Tracy Austin.

“I guess if I have a gift it would be in the marketing area,” Bussey said. He hosted his second “Bubba 101” on April 17 as a kickoff for Fed Cup week. More than 100 people came out for their first-ever tennis lesson, courtesy of local USPTA pros. The USTA helped by providing free racquets.

Bussey organized the first Bubba 101, a free tennis clinic, at the Pelham Racquet Club in April 2009. continued Page 28 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA tester Tommy Wade shares some good on-court karma with Bill “Bubba� Bussey, who combines his work in radio wih his love for tennis.

Radio from Page 26 “I just want to get people involved in tennis,” he said. It’s good for local pros; I try to stir the waters and bring in new customers.”

Bussey credits his wife for getting him interested in tennis four years ago. He and Betty were on an anniversary trip at a beach resort in Gulf Shores, Ala. His wife said she wanted to hit tennis balls and they tried, but her attempts at contact were mostly futile.

He thought it was funny because it made her mad.

“ I want to encourage other people,” Bussey said. “I didn’t discover tennis until I was 42 years old. I wish I had discovered it at 12.”

“We live less than a mile from Pelham Racquet Club and so she said, ‘I’m going to get tennis lessons.’ She starts taking lessons and then says, ‘I’m on a tennis team.’ I thought that was hilarious because she couldn’t even hit a tennis ball. The last match of the season, she won, and boy, everything changed; she had to upgrade her equipment.”

In 2006, “I told her there was no way her team was going to win the state tournament (in Mobile, Ala.). Six months earlier she couldn’t hit a tennis ball,” Bussey told. If she did win, he promised, he would take her to the U.S. Open. She made him eat his words – and make good on his promise.

After going to his wife’s state tournament – and the U.S. Open – he started hitting with her and aggravated an old ACL injury (torn knee ligament). He insisted on going ahead and taking his first tennis lessons while on crutches. “Like her, I caught the bug and started playing,” he recounts.

In the meantime, Betty got bumped up to a 2.5 team and finished third in the nation. “We were really into tennis at that point,” he said. In fact, husband and wife both won state titles on the same weekend in 2007; she on a 2.5 team and he on a 3.0 team. “I’ve played on four state championship teams and three runner-up teams at various levels,” said Bussey, who now competes at the 3.5 level.

Bussey started thinking about becoming certified to teach because he wanted to learn more about tennis. “I had been real impressed with pros and how dedicated they were to the sport when I took lessons.”

Plus, he wanted to be able to help his two children. “I have a boy and girl, Hunter, 12, and Katelyn, 10, both playing on USTA teams at Pelham Racquet Club,” he said. “I didn’t want them to develop bad habits in their game.

“I’m real interested in doing some (part-time) teaching now because it is so fulfilling and very exciting. I really think it makes you a better player when you have to tell and show people things.

“USTA does a great job with kids and so does USPTA with Little Tennis,” Bussey said. “But my passion is really for 30- and 40-year-olds who are tired of failed diets and the treadmill from a health standpoint. I was one of them. It was very good for me.

I lost about 40 pounds and 100 points on my cholesterol when I first started playing four years ago.”

Moreover, “I want to encourage other people,” Bussey said.

“I didn’t discover tennis until I was 42 years old. I wish I had discovered it at 12.” 

28

ADDvantage/May 2010

USPTA seeks nominations for national board The national Nominating Committee is accepting applications from members who are willing and able to serve on the national USPTA Board of Directors for 2011-2013. Applicants must submit a resume and a 250- to 500-word essay outlining their opinions on the goals and directions of USPTA. These materials must be postmarked no later than August 13 and sent to:

Mike Andrews, Wildwood Racquet Club 508 North Hadley Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Classifieds BOOKS AND VIDEOS www.netprofittennis.com

Log on and see why NETPROFIT: The Business Program for Club ­Tennis ­P rofessionals by Dave ­Sivertson is a must for the career development of all tennis professionals or call 805-222-5397.

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PRO/COACH PRICING on racquets, apparel, shoes, bags, balls, strings and accessories. Get baskets, carts, training equipment, books, videos and more. www.TennisExpress.com/800833-6615.

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DRILLS

VACATION OPPORTUNITIES

NEED TENNIS DRILLS? USPTA Master Professional Jorge Capestany’s new website has more than 700 videos of tennis drills and tips. Log on to www. tennisdrills.tv to see (and print) more than 18 free samples.

Vacation opportunities for ­tennis professionals at the No. 1 all-­ inclusive Sandals and Beaches ­resorts in Jamaica and St. Lucia for you and your partner. Certification required. For information contact Mike ­Romisher at 847-207-9475 or ­­­­­e-mail Vis10sPro@aol.com.

Five-Star Caribbean Resorts are Waiting for You! Working ­vacations available for certified tennis professionals. Family and couple resorts available. ­Contact: www.fitbodiesinc.com or call ­Denise Cox, 678-778-4673.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

EMPLOYMENT USPTA’s Find-a-Pro. The best job-posting service so you can find the best jobs, free. For more information, visit uspta.com.

Rates: $30 for 20 words, minimum per issue. 50 cents per word thereafter. Pay by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Prepayment is required. Supply typed copy and include full name, telephone number, credit card number and expiration date. (No agency or cash discounts.) Issue closes 15th of month, two months preceding cover date. Fax to 713978-7780, attn: ADDvantage classifieds. No classifieds will be accepted by telephone.

No exceptions are made. USPTA cannot verify nor be responsible for the contents of any advertisement. The USPTA is committed to the policy that all people have equal access to its programs, facilities, employment and membership without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status. USPTA is an equal opportunity employer. USPTA reserves the right to reject any advertisement at its discretion, or to edit the advertisement to be certain that any employment requirements set forth in it conform with the law.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

USPTA drills Half court (up)

Type: Singles/doubles Category: Groundstrokes/strategy and tactics Levels: Intermediate/adv.

Time/players: 15 minutes/1-8

prepared by USPTA

Description and goals: The goal is to develop consistency and control while learning playing patterns and tactics. Players should work on keeping the ball low and finding a way to win the point while using only half the court.

Organization: Using half the court, one player starts at the net with the other player at the baseline. The net player starts the rally with a feed that must be past the service line. Players play out the point hitting any shots they wish. Whoever loses the point is replaced by another player, who plays the next point against the winner.

Elimination

Variations: Both players start at the baseline. Play as a team.

Key points: Focus on consistency and height over the net. Work on touch and placement to keep the ball low and the opponent off balance. Players must work on strategy and tactics to win the point in only half the court.

Type: Singles Category: Conditioning/strategy and tactics Levels: Beginner/int./adv.

Time/players: 15 minutes/1-10

prepared by Clint Dockery, USPTA

Description and goals: Creating teamwork and anticipating your teammate’s shots so that your team can win. The first team to have all its players eliminated loses.

Organization: Players line up on on each side of the court. Player A will feed ball to Player B, who will hit a shot and rotate to the back of his team’s line. Player A will return the ball and rotate out also. The next player in line runs in to play the next shot. Players must pay attention to the situation and anticipate the shot from their team-

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The player who wins the point must be the player who starts on the baseline. Play to 11 points.

mate and the opponent. The point continues until either a winner is hit or an error is made. The player who cannot play a shot or makes an error is eliminated. The first team to have all its players eliminated loses the game.

Variations: Play as doubles teams. Teams must win points at the net.

Key points: Focus on reading the situation and adjusting your shots and position accordingly.

Generated by iTennisSystem – www.InterTennis.com

ADDvantage/May 2010

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Career Development conventions (division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference, 8 credits) May 13-15

Southern Division Destin, Fla.

May 17-18

Eastern Division Flushing, N.Y.

June 1-6

Florida Division Key Largo, Fla.

June 3-6

Pacific Northwest Division Richland, Wash.

Sept. 27- Oct. 2

USPTA World Conference on Tennis La Quinta, Calif.

exams, upgrades & certification review courses (4 credits for PTCA I segment) May 15-16 May 15-16 May 16 May 17 May 17-18 May 23 May 28 May 31 June 1 June 3-4 June 5-6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6-7 June 12-13 June 12-13 June 12-13 June 13

Destin, Fla. Boca Raton, Fla. St. Louis Frederick, Md. Houston* Hilton Head Island, S.C. West Orange, N.J. San Francisco Richland, Wash.

Key Largo, Fla. Philadelphia Austin, Texas Des Moines, Iowa San Diego Richmond, Va. Los Angeles Aurora, Ill. Rockville, Md. Atlanta Winter Springs, Fla.

June 17-18 June 18 June 18 June 21-22 June 27 July 9 July 10 July 10-11 July 11 July 17 July 18 July 18 July 19-20 July 24 July 25 Aug. 1 Aug. 1 Aug. 1 Aug. 5-6

Flushing, N.Y. Phoenix Worcester, Mass.

Houston* Birmingham, Ala. Minneapolis Fort Wayne, Ind. Boca Raton, Fla. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Ocala, Fla. San Diego Memphis, Tenn.

Houston* Kansas City, Mo. Jackson, Miss.

Hilton Head Island, S.C. Denver Des Moines, Iowa Flushing, N.Y.

* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters.

specialist degrees Little Tennis® Facility Management

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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.

specialty courses

Computer Technology Sport Science

Creative drill design, May 14, Destin, Fla., F. Hassan

Competitive Player Development Pro Shop Operations

Summer programming, May 16, Destin, Fla., G. Howe

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Wheelchair Tennis

CPD (Competitive Player Development) – Gained through the USA ­Tennis High Performance Coaching Program ­administered by the USA Tennis Coaching ­Education Department.

For more information about USPTA’s specialist degrees, including applications, please visit our Web site at www.uspta.com or contact the USPTA Education Department at 800-USPTA-4U or education@uspta.org.

cardio tennis June 19

Rhode Island

(Seminar DVDs, ½ credit/specialty course DVDs, 2 credits)

CPR/AED Certification, May 17, Flushing, N.Y., AHA The right clicks: Making technology work for you, June 4, Key Largo, Fla., R. Mattingley

The deadline to register and/or cancel a course is 15 working days before the event. Anyone canceling late or failing to cancel will forfeit one-half the course fee. Schedule is subject to change.

Call the USPTA Education Department for more information or e-mail education@uspta.org.

Earn education credits from World Conference DVDs Receive your education credit report card via e-mail by visiting the members-only section of uspta.com.

Please visit www.growingtennis.com (workshops) to register online.

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Industry action Members – The USTA presented Bill Hammett, USPTA Texas member, with the Brad Parks Award, established in 2002 to honor a person or an organization that has been instrumental in the development of wheelchair tennis around the world through playing, coaching, sponsoring or promoting the game. The award was named after Brad Parks, a pioneer of wheelchair tennis and the first wheelchair tournament champion. The award was announced at the USTA annual meeting in Dallas on March 23.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame presented the 2009 Tennis Educational Merit Award to USPTA Professional Steve Wilkinson of St. Peter, Minn. The Tennis Educational Merit Award is given annually to a U.S. citizen who has made notable contributions in the tennis education field at the national level.

Recognized as one of the

most prominent coaches in collegiate tennis history, Wilkinson has served on the executive committees of the USPTA and the ITA, and on national committees of the USTA. He was inducted into the Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame in 1974, the Northern Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 1983, and the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame in 1999. For more information regarding the Tennis Educational Merit Award and the nomination process, please contact the International Tennis Hall of Fame at 401-849-3990.

USPTA Master Professional Angel Lopez donated $3,000 worth of new tennis balls and new racquets to Montgomery High School in San Diego.

Lopez is a graduate of this largely Hispanic school, where the tennis courts are in disrepair.

Lopez is a member of the USPTA National Diversity Committee and USTA National Diversity Committee.

The Bradenton Country Club in Bradenton, Fla., recently hosted the annual “Cure for Kids Pro-am Tennis Fest.” The event raises money for two charitable organizations – the “V Foundation,” which provides research for cancer in children, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Tennis professionals participating in the event included Jiri Novak, formerly ranked No. 5 on the ATP tour, BCC tennis director and event organizer Laurie Tinnell, and 12 other professional tennis players in the area, including Egan Adams, former top-100 player on the ATP tour. All the monies raised went directly to the club’s “Cure for Kids” charities. Congratulations to Vamsee Chappidi and BCC member Doug Hall for winning the pro-am. Finalists were Nate Griffin and Sarah Rogers. The Del Rio Investments “Cure for Kids Open” followed the Pro-Am Tennis Fest on March 6. This was the fifth year of the BCC Open event with a record high of 85 competitors. From left, front row and kneeling: Nate Griffin, Mario Nicosia, John Tinnell, Jack Steyn, Tiffany Dabek, Jiri Novak. Standing is Tony Rogers. Back row from left: Nikita Fomine, Dimitrio Hryhorash, Vamsee Chappidi, Egan Adams, Suki Janisch, Dodie Faussett, Sue Adrian, Ben Adrian, Lucas Burns and Doug Hall.

He has addressed the Montgomery High School student body on succeeding in sports and education. He is director of tennis at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club, where he operates the Angel Lopez Tennis Academy.

Mark Pachtner, USPTA, attended the USTA Southwest Coaches Summit in Scottsdale, Ariz., featuring keynote speakers Jose Higueras, and Martin Blackman, USPTA. The one-day workshop covered the

Don Thomas is planning a Tennis Across America clinic and a tennis summer camp for kids. The events will be held in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula at Sequim High School, in Sequim, Wash. A TAA day will be on July 19 and the summer camp will continue for two weeks, three hours per day, thereafter. The summer camp will be for 5- to 15-year-olds.

This will be the third year for the events. The number of participants grew from 47 the first year to 108 last year, along with 22 volunteers. Thomas is expecting 80 to 100 kids again this year. Sequim is a small town of about 5,500 people.

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From left: Blackman, Pachtner and Higueras

QuickStart Play Format and player development.

Member product showcase – “The Baseline Diaries”

by Patrick McEnroe shares colorful and entertaining anecdotes and stories about the biggest names in the game over the past three decades – luminaries like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Venus and Serena Williams, and even his own brother, John.

Curious to know which of the four Grand Slams is the toughest tournament to win? Why Roger Federer, presumably the greatest player of all time, can’t beat Rafael Nadal? Why certain tennis prodigies www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Industry action burned out early? The real role of coaches like Nick Bollettieri? McEnroe answers all those questions and many more.

USPTA member Joshua Shifrin’s new book, “101 Incredible Moments In Tennis: the good, the bad and the infamous,” was recently published

by JR Books (www.jrbooks.com). The book is a compilation of the sport’s best, worst, and most infamous

moments since its earliest days. Included are both high and low points in the history of tennis, from Arthur Ashe’s inspiring triumph at Wimbledon to the inglorious behavior of the most temperamental players. Tennis aficionados will revel in the accounts of the flamboyant Suzanne Lenglen and Bill Tilden of the early years, the stoic but charismatic Rod Laver and his fellow Aussies of the Golden Age, and the larger-than-life superstars of today.

South Texas tennis professionals recently participated in a Tennis Across America clinic in conjunction with fundraising events for the TENNIS Success program in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The weekend activities began with a Friday night banquet emceed by city council member Nelda Martinez. Wayne Bryan provided a fun night with musical entertainment and a motivational speech directed at the parents and kids in attendance. Ronald Elizondo, director of the TENNIS Success Program, was honored at the banquet as well.

The banquet raised $30,000 for the TENNIS Success program with sponsorships, table sales and a silent auction. Additional funds were also raised from the tournament played on Saturday.

Wayne Bryan, along with South Texas tennis professionals, conducted the TAA clinic for junior players at the HEB Tennis Center on Saturday morning. More than 100 kids were involved in the event and were divided into ability groups.

Approximately 20 kids who were new to tennis took lessons with QuickStart equipment on covered courts in the Lloyd and Mildred Pavilion. All the young players were treated to a hot dog lunch at the end of the event.

In the afternoon, a USPTA Tennis Across America Adult/Junior Tournament was played with 16 teams. The adults played with the advanced kids from the TENNIS Success Program. Gerry Maingot directed the tournament event.

USPTA Professionals who participated in the weekend events were Maingot, Ron Woods, Ron Gracey, Jacquelyn Robles, Ronald Elizondo and Billy Morehouse. Other tennis professionals who took part were Dante Cage, Steve Kersten, Punam Kersten, Joey Farias and Alex Johanssen. www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

Passings –

Francis Henry Sefton Dulany Brancker passed away on April 26 at Yeovil Hospital in Yeovil, Somerset, England. “Sammy” Brancker, a longtime associate of the USPTA, was 90 years old. A Thanksgiving Service was held at the historic All Saints Church in Merriott on May 15. Donations were accepted for either the Royal British Legion or Guide Dogs for the Blind. Brancker worked with the Dewpool School for Tennis and then the Millfield School in Somerset, a specialist sports school. He also was involved with Somerset County Tennis and his many successful students included a young Andrew Castle, who would hold a No. 1 ranking among British men. Known throughout the industry, Brancker served as chairman of what was then called the Professional Tennis Coaches Association of Great Britain from 1983 to 1995, when he retired due to his wife’s ill health. He was elected president of the PTCA in 1995 and served until 2007. By that time, the association, with 3,000 members, had changed its name to the British Tennis Coaches Association. The BTCA, now called TennisCoachUK, forged links with the USPTA in 1985 and Brancker made his first of many inspiring visits to the USPTA national convention in 1986, said Jane Poynder, a good friend and fellow past chairman of the BTCA. “He had great passion and interest in tennis and was always keen to discuss all the many political ramifications in our game,” Poynder said. “He will be greatly missed by his family and many tennis friends and colleagues.”

Jim Whitman, 65, of Normal, Ill., died suddenly on Jan. 8, 2010. He was a 39-year USPTA Pro 1 and was still teaching 30 hours per week at Evergreen Racquet Club, where he had been head pro since 1972. Jim was an outstanding collegiate tennis player at Illinois State University from 1963-67. After a year on the pro circuit, he taught at Normal Community High School until 1972, when he was recruited by both his alma mater to coach men’s tennis, and by ERC to become its first manager and teaching pro. Jim coached men’s tennis until 1985, and also coached the women’s team from ‘83-’85. He was inducted into the ISU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. Many of Jim’s ISU players got their start teaching tennis in the junior program at ERC. He was very proud that so many of his former players are teaching pros today. Jim was a past member of the USPTA Midwest Board. He also coached Junior Davis Cup, was an endorser, a verifier and ran hundreds of tournaments over the course of his career. He started the junior tennis schedule in Middle Illinois, which is now known as the MITA Jr. Grand Prix Circuit. A personal highlight for him was bringing Arthur Ashe and Marty Riessen to Bloomington/Normal for an exhibition match in 1977, giving the local community a firsthand look at professional tennis. Jim embraced the life lessons to be learned from tennis as much as he loved teaching technique and strategy. He considered himself “old school” and valued the code of conduct, sportsmanship, self-reliance, and the challenge to adapt to the circumstances of a match. His low-key persona and ever-present smile belied his love of competition and the high standards he expected of the thousands of students who came to him for instruction, whether they were beginning through advanced juniors, or adults, or collegiate level players.

Tennis was Jim’s life, as a player, coach and spectator. He went to all of the majors except Australia, but his favorite was the French Open, which he attended several years running. Jim is survived by his fiancee, Virginia I. Grady, who taught tennis with him, traveled to tournaments with him, and took lessons from him, and two adult daughters, Jana Whitman and Jennifer Whitman. The Jim Whitman Tennis Scholarship Fund has been established at Illinois State University, Normal, Ill. ADDvantage/May 2010

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