February 2019
USPTA Elite Professionals Larry and Susan Kline.
USPTA FROM THE CEO
5,920 John R. Embree USPTA CEO
A
nyone got any idea what this number means? And, why would I title my message with it? As everyone knows, we require our members to take 12 hours or six credits of education every three years. We started this program back in 2014 with the expressed purpose of elevating the standards of our tennis-teaching professionals and coaches (our mission). Having completed one three-year cycle at the end of 2016, the next three-year cycle ends on Dec. 31, 2019. You may or may not be aware that when the first education cycle ended, 9 percent of our domestic membership did not comply and were therefore dropped from our membership rosters. There
were some who did not think that we would stick to our guns when faced with the attrition that would likely come from those who did not think that continuing education was important. The board of directors said otherwise. We are now five years into the mandate that every member be required to get those six credits of continuing education. It is now part of our daily dialogue. Divisions are doing a fantastic job of serving up regional education days, lunch and learns, workshops, etc., all to make it easier for our members to get the education that they need. Not only is it education that they need, but it is education that they want! In fact, there were 125+ educational events conducted in 2018 with 4,100+ USPTA members participating. Nationally, TennisResources.com is a terrific platform to pick up credits and we continue to offer regular webinars. If you are unable to sit in on one of the sessions, you can always go to TennisResources.com and listen to the course at no charge at whatever time is convenient for you. By the way, TennisResources.com has recently undergone a makeover and should be easier to navigate on either your phone, tablet or computer. In addition, we launched the USPTA Leadership Academy in July of last year to rave reviews. In fact, if you read last month’s Tennis Industry Magazine, the USPTA Leadership Academy was voted
Members can earn their CEU’s by attending workshops such as the USPTA Leadership Academy, which was named 2018 Innovative Tennis Event of the Year by Tennis Industry Magazine.
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the 2018 Innovative Tennis Event of the Year in the Tennis Industry Champions of Tennis issue! That is a special tribute to Feisal Hassan, Sara Morse, Ajay Pant and Jose Pastrello who engineered the entire workshop. The next scheduled Leadership Academy is set for April 12-14 right here at our USPTA World Headquarters. Talk about innovative, our partnership with TPI and RacquetFit is another example of cutting-edge education. Led by Dr. Greg Rose and Dr. Sean Drake, there were four Level One certifications conducted nationally in 2018 and there will be at least six locations for RacquetFit certification workshops in 2019: the second of which will also be right back in Lake Nona on March 29 30. As some of the participants have told me, “RacquetFit will change the way one teaches tennis forever!” That is high praise. You owe it to yourself to make one of those certifications. Education and certification are the primary drivers of our Association. It has been and always will be our primary focus. Thus, you will be hearing a great deal about compliance of the 12 hours and six credits over the coming months. And, you guessed it, there are 5,920 current USPTA members in good standing who have until Dec. 31 to complete this obligation. Don’t wait until the last minute. Get started on the road now. Two other quick tidbits: 1) Anyone wishing to interview for a position on the National Board of Directors must submit their application on or before Feb 15., 2019. 2) The national awards deadline for submission is Mar. 18, 2019. Those awards will be announced and awarded at the 2019 USPTA World Conference in Las Vegas in September. On so many different levels, 2019 is going to be a year of unprecedented change for tennis and the USPTA. What does that mean? More to come…thanks to you all for making yourselves better as professionals. *
Our Story A passionate company with unique history
Led by founder Jim Fromuth and CEO Pat Shields, we are a tennis wholesale distributor based in West Lawn, PA. We first opened our doors nearly 50 years ago. The Fromuth Family liked and played the game of tennis, so they bought a stringing machine and had a few tennis frames to sell in the shop. In the late 1970s, tennis began to be televised and business took a different direction. Fromuth Tennis was born. As the tennis industry grew, so did our selection of racquets, strings and apparel. We began helping small pro shops get the product they needed to boost their own business. Then & Now CEO Pat Shields and Founder Jim Fromuth
Today, we have a 25,000 sq. ft. warehouse. On a busy day in August, UPS trucks are lined up outside waiting to load more than 800 packages. Although bigger, we are still a family-owned operation with more than 70 employees who share a passionate drive for tennis and helping our customers.
USTA National Campus Pro Shop
Since 2006
Fromuth is the Official Distributor of Nike Footwear and Apparel to the USPTA
We lead all operations including staffing, merchandising and stringing services at the USTA National Campus Pro Shop. This 2,800 sq. ft. store in the Welcome Center of USTA National Campus features the newest product releases from top tennis brands such as Nike, adidas, Babolat, HEAD and Wilson, as well as unique National Campus memorabilia.
For more then 10 years we have provided Nike product to USPTA members. We are proud of our relationship with an exclusive community of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches promoting excellence in the tennis industry. USPTA members receive a 30 percent discount off retail prices when purchasing Nike goods through Fromuth. The Official Distributor of Nike Footwear & Apparel to the USPTA.
uspta.fromuthtennis.com
USPTA VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
WE ARE FAMILY Mark S. Faber USPTA National Vice President
O
ne of the definitions of family in the Merriam-Webster reads like this: “A group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation: FELLOWSHIP.” By this definition, it is very simple to say that the members and divisional and national staff are truly a family. Sure, we all have a passion for the sport of tennis. However, that is not where it stops, and that is what I would like to address in this article. As with all families, you are not always going to agree on things. There are ranges of disagreements for sure. Heck, just this morning my kids were discussing if they were going to watch the Great American Light Fight or Trolls. This was certainly
not as stressful as the times they are discussing who gets to pick the restaurant the family will eat at. The result is decided, and you move on as a family. The kids still watch out for each other, they still want to help each other, and they still play games with each other. At this point, you might be asking yourself, “How in the world this even relates to the USPTA?” Well, here it goes: Over the last 12 – 18 months, there has been great discussion on the USTA Accreditation and education standards. There has been discussion on the fees we charge to be a member of our Association and not to mention ways we can help our fellow brothers and sisters that have been greatly affected by wildfires and hurricanes. Healthy discussion is certainly good and something that is needed to make sure that all angles are considered. Let us break each one of these items down. • The USTA Accreditation is something we have been working through weekly on behalf of the USPTA family. We believe in the end, based on the feedback we have received throughout the process, this will make our family stronger and more relevant in the industry.
Invite friends to a USPTA education event and let them experience the bond that all USPTA members share.
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• When we stuck to our guns on the education component of tennis professionals, not only did we stay true to our mission statement, we also provided the best and most updated product to our extended family members (our clients). • We listened to our family members that have faced difficulties when it comes to paying the full amount of dues or might be scared to spend money during that time of the year. What we have done is create various payment plan options for our current and future members. I know this is just a simple snap shot of a few items in which our family has not always agreed with each other 100 percent. Let’s acknowledge the difficulties that some of our members might be facing and step up to help those in need. We are no different than other families: we disagree, love and in the end, care for each other. As we continue to move forward in raising the standards of teaching in the industry, we look to you to bring more people into “OUR” family. If you have friends that are part of other associations, we have made their transition into our family easy and that can be found at bit.ly/ PTREquivalency. If you have friends that are not certified, invite them to a family gathering (education event) and let them experience the bond that USPTA members share. As a reminder to you, by bringing in new members, you as the member, benefit through our newly revamped AIM program. Follow this link: bit.ly/USPTAAIM so you can assist in growing our family and help yourself in the process. As I shared in my first vice president message: “ This is OUR USPTA” and that means that this is “OUR” family. I am very proud of our family and what it has done and continues to do to make us the elite tennis family in the world. *
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Sports Psychology
Fun, Effort and Self-Confidence. Ronald B. Woods, Ph.D
USPTA Master Professional Having been a USPTA member for over 40 years including serving as president of USPTA Middle States, member of the Executive Committee and frequent speaker at both national and division conventions, he was honored as USPTA Coach of the Year in 1982 and as a Master Professional in 1984. Ron is the husband of Kathy Woods, who is now the director of tennis at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida.
E. Paul Roetert, Ph.D. He most recently served as the CEO of the Society of Health and Physical Educators - SHAPE America. Prior to that, he was the managing director of USTA Player Development. Roetert has published extensively in the fields of coaching education and sport science, including five books, more than 25 book chapters, and well over 100 articles.
“Disclaimer: Sports Psychology for Kids; Fun, Effort and Self-Confidence is the second article from the Sports Psychology for Kids; When Should it Begin article that appeared in the Nov-Dec issue of ADDvantage Magazine.”
T
he fundamentals, principles and skills of sports psychology should be the foundation of youth tennis from the very beginning when kids start to play sports. We believe that means starting from ages 5-6 and building on those basic skills through ages 7-12. In our previous article in ADDvantage Magazine, the Nov-Dec 2018 issue, we outlined the principle concepts along with a reasoned argument for introducing these concepts and skills at younger ages than most coaches typically do. Our goal is simply to introduce kids to tennis (or any sport they choose) in a way that promotes their mental, emotional and social development while acquiring physical sports skills. Coaches and parents have a responsibility to help their children succeed by teaching and reinforcing attitudes and skills that volumes of research and experimentation show promote healthy development, enjoyment and satisfaction in exchange of the effort and energy invested in sports during their lifetime. Let’s look at three major foundational concepts that can help guide kids from the first time they step onto a tennis court. We need to understand a more robust and nuanced idea of “fun” for kids and how to produce it. At the same time, young players need to approach the sport of tennis as a skilled game activity by investing their full effort and measuring their success by the energy and enthusiasm they commit to the effort. Within the context of exerting effort to have fun, even novice players will begin to
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develop competence in their skills which builds and nurtures self-confidence. The number one reason that kids play sports is “fun” and similarly, if they become sports dropouts, they typically report that a sport is no longer “fun.” As adults, we often think of “fun” for kids as laughing, fooling around with friends and goofing off. Obviously, that type of fun isn’t very compatible with the more serious and achievement orientation of most kids who play sports. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly even Olympic level athletes rate “fun” equal with the pursuit of excellence as the primary incentives for them in their sport. (Snyder, 2014). Sports research often uses the term “enjoyment” rather than fun as it conveys a broader, more robust understanding of the pleasure we get from physical activity and sports. When asked, young athletes say they enjoy sports when they are learning, improving, giving their best effort and getting along well with other players. Some players crave competition against others while others shy away and would rather focus on cooperation with others to achieve a shared goal. Respect those differences and help players learn to embrace both competition and cooperation in a healthy, productive way. Recent research by Visek et al., 2017 revealed 81 different fun-factors by youth athletes which were then grouped into 11 categories and ranked in importance from most to least important. The top four categories of fun-factors were: trying hard, positive team dynamics, positive coaching and learning and improving. In addition,
for kids
MASTER PRO CORNER
Competence and self-confidence are the rewards for investing full effort and energy into learning and playing a sport. within the context of practices, athletes report that they enjoy or have fun when practices are well-organized, feature a good variety of activities, including actually playing the game and every player is involved all the time with no waiting in line. During actual match play, enjoyment comes from a challenging opponent where the outcome is in doubt, opponents are respectful and fair, and players can test their skills and strategies. Investing full effort and energy in the pursuit of any activity or goal is a key psychological, and life skill that helps us develop our capabilities and achieve the goals we set. The science of goal setting has been well studied and current theories within sports differentiate between three types of goals: outcome, performance and process goals. Many sports participants get stuck focusing only on the outcome of their performance efforts and become frustrated by results and losing. In fact, researchers and personal testimony from champion athletes agree that the primary focus should always be on “the process” which is the only thing we can control. Kids must realize that competition is not about other athletes, but instead a contest to test your skill and strategies by playing the game. In a sense, your opponent is your best
friend and partner who hopefully will push you to perform beyond what you even imagined you might be capable of. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal always bring out the absolute best performance from each other and they have acknowledged that neither would have reached their highest level of play without that challenge. Competence and self-confidence are the rewards for investing full effort and energy into learning and playing a sport. This becomes the basis for the intrinsic motivation to keep playing and practicing and is a strong determinant for whether a player thinks tennis is fun and enjoyable. Coaches need to use proven principles of how players learn motor skills rapidly and retain those skills most efficiently. Involve players in the exploration of various ways of executing shots that suit their personal style if they don’t deviate from inviolable biomechanical principles. Offer frequent challenges to test their skill development objectively so they can rejoice at their progress and success. The somewhat magical path that a beginner follows to reach a higher level of skill and competence must be thoughtfully plotted, intentionally executed and tailored to each
individual’s needs and talent. As players build competence, their self-confidence and self-concept rise as an athlete and a competitor. We need to help young players learn that self-confidence is crucial to enjoying playing a sport and accept that no amount of “mental toughness training” can create confidence alone. In the end, whether kids choose a high-performance track in tennis or just want to play in a recreational program with less intensity, the secret to keeping them happy and having fun is the same. Make the experience enjoyable by catering to their need to achieve competence, self-confidence and satisfaction as a reward for the energy expended. Help them set realistic goals that emphasize process over outcome, track improvement objectively and celebrate improvement regularly and enthusiastically. *
References
1. Visek, A.J., Mannix,H., Chgandran, A., Achrati,S., Beckley,L., McDonell,K., & DiPietro, L. 2015. The FUN MAPS pattern-matched across sex, age, and competition level: Gender and Developmental assumptions debunked. Presentation at the Association for Applied Sports Psychology Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN. 2. Snyder, C. 2014. The path to excellence: A view on the athletic development of U.S. Olympians who competed from 2000-2012. Report of the Talent Identification and Development Questionnaire to U.S. Olympians. (S. Riewald, Ed.), USOC Sports Performance and Coaching Education Division. 3. Vealey, R., Chase, M., and Cooley, R., 2018. Developing Self-Confidence in Young Athletes. Chapter 9, pp. 94-105 in Sport Psychology for Young Athletes, Routledge, New York.
February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 49
THROUGH THE STRINGS: HOW TENNIS FUELED ROGER CRAWFORD TO AIM HIGH USPTA
by DeVonte’ Martin, USPTA Public Relations Coordinator
F
or 30-year USPTA Professional Roger Crawford, the odds have always seemed stacked against him. Born with a physical challenge that affected all four of his limbs from the elbows and knees down, Crawford could have let his disability limit him. But he found inspiration and the drive to succeed through the game of tennis. “People reading this may wonder, wow, how did this guy get involved in tennis? I got involved in tennis because first and foremost, it was a sport that I could play by myself,” Crawford said. “I learned how to play against a backboard. Tennis for me was much more than a game, it was something that I could point to and say, ‘I do that well’ and it made me feel like I was like all the other kids.” To participate in the game he loved, he had to first learn how to hold a tennis racquet. Crawford looked high and low for a racquet that he could hold on to and call his own until one day he came across the “holy grail of tennis racquets,” the Wilson T2000, the game’s first stainless-steel frame. From the look, the feel, and the grip, Crawford knew the moment he laid eyes on the Wilson T2000, that it was meant just for him. “The Wilson T2000 had two parallel bars from the head of the racquet to the grip,” Crawford said. “My right finger fit perfectly in between those two parallel bars. It was a perfect fit and that was how I learned how to hold a tennis racquet.” As his game improved throughout the years, Crawford set his sights on playing competitively. He played on his high school tennis team at Monte
Vista High School in Danville, California and played all four years at the NCAA Division I level at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he became the first athlete with a physical challenge affecting all four limbs to compete in an NCAA Division I sport. He also played as high as #3 in doubles, #6 in singles and posted a career record of 22-11. “By no means was I the best player on my team, but I did play Division I college tennis and people always ask well how that happened,” Crawford said. I focused on what I could do and what I could control. I wasn’t
the fastest nor the strongest, but I learned that if I could be consistent hitting the ball over the net, I gave myself a pretty good chance of being successful.” After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, the Granite Bay, California native became a renowned motivational speaker where he speaks at between 75 – 100 meetings a year for a variety of different industries. His clients have included companies such as Amazon, Boeing, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Nike, Wilson, etc. and has been featured on national media outlets such as CNBC, Good Morning
Roger Crawford’s love for tennis started with a Wilson tennis racquet.
50 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019
USPTA
While playing at Loyola Marymount University, Crawford became the first athlete with a physical challenge affecting all four limbs to compete in a NCAA Division I sport.
America, Tennis Channel, Wall Street Journal and many more. Through the motivational speeches he gives throughout the country, Crawford said he shares many of the lessons he learned through the game of tennis. “I think there are some parallels that you can draw from success on the tennis court to success in life,” said Crawford. “So, when I’m standing in front of a group I’m not talking about myself, I want my motivational talks to be about them. I want to impart thoughts and ideas that can motivate and inspire my audiences to do more and be more.” Along with his motivational speeches at Fortune 500 companies, Crawford is also a frequent contributor on Tennis Channel with his weekly segment called Motivational Monday’s with Roger Crawford. But his achievements came full circle in 2013 when he was awarded the ITA Achievement Award at the ITHF Board of Directors Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel
in New York. The ITA Achievement Award pays tribute each year to past participants in the world of collegiate varsity tennis who have achieved excellence in their chosen careers. “The ITA Achievement Award was one of the most cherished honors of my life,” Crawford said. “To be recognized for achievements and contributions off the court is something I will never forget.” To go along with the ITA Achievement Award, he also earned more honors under his belt such as being inducted into the Loyola Marymount Athletic Hall of Fame, the National Hall of Fame for Persons with Disabilities, the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as “One of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in the world.” He is also an accomplished author who has written books such as “Think Again: The Power of Possibility Thinking,” “Playing from the Heart: Turning
Obstacles into Opportunity,” and “How High Can You Bounce? Turn Your Setbacks into Comebacks.” Throughout all his achievements, tennis has always been apart of Crawford’s life and the game, has opened doors for him that he never thought would be possible. “When I walked out on the tennis court, I already felt like I won,” said Crawford. “Being out there and competing was such a tremendous blessing in my life and I wasn’t the best tennis player, but people would say ‘gosh if you had normal hands and normal legs think of how good you would have been’ and I would say ‘I’m not so sure.’ Because having hands and legs like mine, this is who I am. This is what I was given, and we all have a deck of cards we have to play, and this was mine. But when I look back on my life, if I was given the opportunity to change my hands and legs, I wouldn’t do it. Because in everyone’s life challenges are inevitable but defeat is optional.”*
February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 51
INSIDE COACHING Create Your Path to New Players by Michelle Brown, USPTA Elite Professional
I
think every club has a program for recruiting new adult tennis players. How they find your tennis program may be different everywhere. Many tennis pros count on their members to reach out to them. Maybe you reach out through public programming via a parks and recreations program in your community. Both of those rely on a person seeking out places to learn to play. Everyone is a potential tennis player! How can we reach a person who doesn’t even know it’s an option to learn to play tennis? This question came to me as I was trying to fill my daytime teaching hours in order to maximize my on-court time. Seek out clubs and online groups you may already belong to: I reached out to a couple of the “mom” groups on Facebook and just asked…who is interested in learning to play tennis? I talked a little bit about me, the club and the day/time I was offering the group. I was able to give them a special rate (member/ nonmember) and a short six-week program. They liked this short-term commitment. It’s just enough time to have fun and see some progress. I provided racquets to those who wanted to wait and see if they liked tennis. Advertise to current members, potential members and friends of friends: These programs are a great way to use slow court time. Just make sure it
doesn’t run into bus pickup time or an early release day/time. Make them feel comfortable before they ever touch the tennis court: I used a simple sign up with questions to level the playing field. Ask what their experience with tennis has been. Keep the responses light.
When you explain that you will be organizing new groups to ensure that everybody is similarly leveled, it helps people decide to give it a try. When trying something new, people don’t want to look silly, especially around other moms or friends. Doing this work on the front end shows a potential tennis student that you care.
For example: A. I’ve never seen a tennis ball before B. I’ve hit against a garage door C. I’ve played in high school, but haven’t touched my racquet since... D. I played a lot in the past, but am looking to get the rust off my game
Get staff in your club involved. Ask the staff at the club nursery or the front desk if they will help you find potential people for your new group. Offer them an incentive for every person they bring you. It could be as simple as a smoothie from the club café or an Amazon gift card for each person they refer and get signed up. It takes a little bit of work, but it is worth it! Sharing my love for tennis makes me positively happy. There are many ways to do outreach, this is one that has worked well for me. How have you been able to connect and bring in fresh faces to your tennis programs? I would love to hear what has worked for you. More to come on this subject as it is always evolving. For more information please visit positivelytennis.wordpress.com.*
Michelle has worked in the tennis industry since 2000 after getting involved with her daughter Jordan’s tennis lessons. She focuses on the red ball level and adult beginners. Prior to moving to the New England Division area, she worked for the USTA in Florida overseeing all junior tennis programs from red ball to Tennis on Campus. She enjoys teaching and has just as much fun as those learning to play tennis.
52 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019
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USPTA EASTERN HIGHLIGHT
A decade of teaching experience
at the age of 25 by Tommy Cardinal, USPTA Communications Intern
(Photo courtesy of Rochester Athletic Communications.)
This is the first in a monthly member profile featuring members from across the 17 USPTA divisions. Next month will feature a member from Florida Division.
W
hen he started teaching tennis, it was just for community service hours during summer vacation. He loved the sport, but teaching wasn’t something that came easily for him in the beginning. “To be honest, my first summer doing this was pretty rough when I was 15,” Julian Danko said. “My boss was always on me about talking more and being more communicative with kids. I honestly didn’t step out of my shell until I realized that I was still a kid and interacting with those kids was just being myself.” Julian Danko started teaching group lessons at the age of 15 at Mendon Racquet and Pool Club. He fell in love with tennis the same way many others were attracted to the game: Agassi. “It must have been one of the US Open series tournaments on TV, and I remember seeing Agassi just ripping a few groundstrokes, and I said, ‘that looks pretty cool’,” Danko said. After that, seven-year-old Danko found a “Kapow” racquet and an old tennis ball and started hitting against the garage. His neighbor across the street saw Danko and introduced him to her son who would become Danko’s first tennis teacher, Tennyson Saucedo. 15-year-old Saucedo and Danko would walk to the public tennis courts down the street for lessons. Danko is now Head Pro and Junior
Julian Danko playing for the University of Rochester in 2014. Danko went 9-1 during the fall season in singles for the Yellowjackets.
Program Director at Empire Tennis Academy in Rochester, NY. “I have a finger on the pulse of all of our younger players at any given moment,” Danko said. “I’m on court for pretty much all of our junior lessons so I can really see the progress that our kids are making and I kind of ensure that they’re going down the right pathway.” Danko is pretty young himself, 25 years old, but he’s been teaching for a decade. He’s a part of the USPTA Under 30 Initiative and said he wants to be more involved in the coming years. “Right now with our program we’re halfway into our third year, so we’re still kind of in the building phases and still polishing our structure,” Danko said. “But it is absolutely something I want to get more involved with.” After graduating from the University of Rochester with a bachelor’s degree
54 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019
in Health, Behavior and Society, Danko decided to teach tennis until he figured out what he wanted to do for a career. He’s been teaching since. “I did know that after college, I did want to take some time and teach and do something that really interests me on a more personal level,” Danko said. “I didn’t realize it could be a career path, but just something I wanted to do.” Danko said that when he started teaching during high school, his father would dog him to get certified, but he put it off for a while until he came to Empire. Jason Speirs is the Tennis Director at Empire and is highly involved with the USPTA as first vice president of the USPTA Eastern Division. Speirs explained the advantages of a USPTA certification to Danko when he was hired at Empire. “Just like we ask our kids to get better,
USPTA I ask my staff to get better,” Speirs said. “It’s not quite as easy as we always think it is for professional development, but I push my staff to get certified and understand that education is what keeps us current and separates us from a lot of our competition. At the end of the day, our customers are the ones who are gonna benefit the most.” One student who sticks out in Danko’s mind is Raissa Lou, who now plays for Yale University. Lou was a five-star recruit on tennisrecruiting.net and helped Danko realize that he was a strong teacher when he was just 19. “She kind of picked me up as one of
her hitting partners out of nowhere just because I was available at the time. And then after doing a couple sessions with me, they realized the value and the input I could provide her even when she was playing at such a high caliber,”
Danko said. “They kind of kept me on her team of coaches. That was really big for me, a real affirmation. Although I never considered myself a strong player, I always thought I had an eye for making other people better players.”*
Tommy Cardinal is a journalist in Orlando currently attending the University of Central Florida pursuing a journalism degree and is slated for a fall 2019 graduation. He has covered Orlando City Soccer Club and UCF sports for New Day Review and is currently assistant editor of the Downtown Community Paper in Orlando. Tommy grew up in Sarasota, Fla. and spent a few years in Tallahassee after graduating from Sarasota High School. You could say he was born into tennis -- his mother and father met on the courts in Sarasota.
remembering Rosemary Luther DeHoog R
osemary Luther DeHoog, former president of USPTA Eastern, passed away on October 25, 2018 after a brave battle with cancer. Rosemary’s tennis career spanned over five decades as a player and as an instructor. While at Kalamazoo College, she was a four-time Women’s Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Singles champion in the first singles position. Rosemary taught tennis to generations of families and was a respected member of the tennis community. In 1972 she started as a tennis professional at Wolf Hollow Racquet Club in Syracuse, NY, which eventually became Drumlins Tennis Club. There she became Head Tennis Professional and an Adjunct Professor for Syracuse University. She owned and operated a tennis shop at Drumlins for many years. Rosemary was a certified USPTA Master Professional, becoming the first woman in the Eastern Division and 13th nationally to achieve this distinction. She also coached the Women’s tennis team at LeMoyne College and served as a tennis official. Rosemary was the deserving recipient of many awards during her tennis career. Her favorites include Syracuse Post Standard Woman of Achievement in Sports, being a charter Inductee of the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame, and the USPTA Eastern Division honoring her with the Tex Schwab Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also inducted into the Eastern Hall of Fame. Most recently, her hometown in Michigan recognized her with induction
into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame. Earlier this year Syracuse University and the tennis community of her adopted hometown of De Witt, NY renamed Court One at Drumlins Tennis Club in her honor. It is now The Rosemary DeHoog Court. Rosemary was certified by the USPTA in 1972, becoming the first woman in New York outside of the Metropolitan area to do so. She was commissioned by the USPTA Women’s Committee to write A History of the National Women’s Committee (through 1992). She was instrumental in establishing a Women’s Liaison Network in the USPTA divisions in 1986. Rosemary was an ardent supporter of the Eastern Division. She served in several positions on the board, including treasurer and the second woman to be Eastern’ s president. She was a tester and often hosted division events at Drumlins. Her son, Victor, continues the tradition as a USPTA member. Rosemary’s legacy is that of the consummate tennis professional who was kind, encouraging, and devoted to her sport. Her achievements and her loyal friendship speak volumes about her. She was a genuine person who participated fully in all her endeavors, on and off the court. The tennis community lost a dear friend, and we will miss her.*
February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 55
USPTA ENDORSEE NEWS
The Future of Subsurface Irrigation is Here by Brandy Gentry , Har-Tru Marketing Specialist
D
id you know that 3 of every 4 clay courts that are built today are constructed with sub-surface irrigation? In the 1990’s, the concept of HydroCourt transformed the clay court industry. It was adapted early on in places like Florida and Southern California, but now is being utilized around the world in every climate imaginable. In the late 1990’s the original HydroCourt design was modified to make it simpler to build. Twenty-four months ago, Har-Tru’s product management team decided it was time to modify it again, this time with a focus on making it easier to operate and maintain. After two years of researching irrigation technologies, testing and tweaking concepts, HyQ is ready for launch, incorporating concepts that save time and water while simplifying operation and improving the performance of the court. The HyQ Court was built off the proven principle of maintaining a water level with a self-regulating system that is fully adjustable. What makes HyQ different is that we’ve shifted the controls to the backend of the system. The water that enters each cell is under pressure and it circulates rapidly through the cell and
then out to the control center. The result is a system that fills faster and responds to adjustments much more quickly. The beauty of the control center is that it is completely digital. You will be able to fine-tune controls with a digital touch pad and make more responsive adjustments within a 10th of an inch, increasing both speed and precision. This is a vast improvement over the water fill valves found in traditional HydroCourts as they can be inconsistent and manual adjustments are not easy to measure. Once dialed in, there are four presets that allow you to save preferred settings for Hot & Dry, Cool and Wet, or any other conditions you regularly encounter. This feature saves a lot of time adjusting every cell individually. The HyQ Court’s intelligent design is highly augmentable and will allow owners to optimize the amount of water in their court which will ultimately save water usage and help achieve desired playing conditions. In fact, you can even monitor the gallons of water you are
56 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019
using daily with the preinstalled water meters on each cell. The future of this court is one that will appeal to the next generation of tennis court maintenance personnel. The digital control panel will allow for further advancements such as Wi-Fi connectivity that will enable control of the system from an app that can be accessed anywhere. Future upgrades will also allow for reporting on optimal water usage, downtime, and more. With HyQ, it’s easy to see and understand the entire sub-surface irrigation process at a glance, creating a better overall court experience for clubs and court owners. HyQ is not something that can be retrofitted so it may be time to consider transitioning your courts, HydroCourts or other, to HyQ. The new system will be available January 1st, 2019…the future is approaching quickly, are you ready for it? For more information, visit www.hartru.com. You can also call 877.442.7878 or email hartru@hartru.com.
USPTA
2019 Election Information
T
he USPTA Nominating Committee will be seeking candidates who are interested in serving on the USPTA National Board of Directors for the 20202021 term. Information and the application was emailed to eligible members in January. The application deadline is February 15. Phone interviews will be conducted with qualified nominees. Selected candidates will then be offered a live interview during the Executive Committee in April. A nominating slate will be presented to the membership
by June 1, and any challenges to the slate must be submitted by Aug. 1. All interested members should submit their application to Phil Parrish at LFTennisDirector@gmail.com. If an election is needed, it will be held in October so that results can be announced by November 1. The election will be held online, with paper ballots available upon request. Please note that only members in good standing with a certification level of Elite Pro or higher are eligible to apply.
2019 World Conference merchandise and trade Show
T
he USPTA World Conference will be held at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from September 23 - 27. The 2019 World Conference will feature the return of the USPTA Trade and Merchandise show on Monday, Sept. 23. For information on reserving booth space, please contact DeVonte’ Martin at devonte. martin@uspta.org or call the national office at (800) 877-8248.
uspta 2019
awards program
U
SPTA Professionals are driven individuals who go above and beyond their call of duty to inspire their students to reach their highest level of performance on the tennis court and provide them with tools to be successful off the court as well. The USPTA wants to recognize members who are committed to excellence as tennis teachers and as ambassadors using tennis to impact people and communities. USPTA is looking for deserving tennis professionals who are growing the game of tennis as it accepts nominations for the 2019 awards program. The 2019 Awards program recognizes accomplishments of USPTA members during 2018. Visit uspta.com/awards.
National Awards period: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2018
National Awards Nominations due: March 18, 2019
National Awards Eligible members: Certified Professional-level members in good standing*
uSPTA PARTNERS WITH INSURESTAT
O
n behalf of its members, the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) has entered into an agreement with InsureSTAT to provide long term disability insurance on a discounted basis to USPTA members. “Most people don’t think about protecting themselves until after the fact and then it’s too late,” said
USPTA CEO John Embree. “We are proud to offer our members an income protection insurance plan that allows them coverage in case of a calamitous event that would prevent pros from being on-court and earning their living.” In the case of an unforeseen accident or illness, this affordable coverage allows a steady stream of income for several years or until the insured can
™
get back to work as a tennis-teaching professional or begin a new career path. “InsureSTAT is excited to partner with the USPTA to provide a program for all member professionals to protect their hard-earned income,” said InsureStat Income Protection & Debt Relief Specialist Danny Mensh. “Whether a turned ankle, bad back, or something more serious, a disability insurance policy is the only way to make sure your bills will be paid. We’ve secured discounts from various carriers to help lower the cost and make it as easy to be insured as possible.” For more information visit insurestat.com/uspta
February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 57
GAME, SET,
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MEMBER NEWS
Mike Quitko
Nick Bollettieri
Billie Jean King
Jonathan Raude
Nick Bollettieri was inducted into the USTA Florida Tennis Hall of Fame. He has been one of the most influential people in tennis. A year after becoming a USPTA member, he founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (now known as IMG Academy) in Florida in 1978, which was the first full-time tennis boarding school to combine intense training on court with custom-designed academic curriculum.
Billie Jean King was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year show. King, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, won 39 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles competitions. In 1966, she won her first major singles title, again at Wimbledon, and was crowned world number one for the first time - a ranking she held for five further years (1967-1968, 1971-1972 and 1974).
Jonathan Raude was named Managing Director & Head of High Performance/U10 Tennis for NY Tennis at Great Neck. Jonathan played for Boston College, serving as a two-time captain and playing as high as #1 singles and doubles. Along with his role for NY Tennis, Jonathan is the founder of MatchPoint Entertainment, a company that produces unique and memorable experiences through lifestyle, music, and tennis.
On the Cover: USPTA Elite Professionals Larry and Susan Kline, owners of Louisville Tennis Club. The Klines have been married for 33 years, and during the month of February, we celebrate USPTA couples and their love for the game of tennis. Share your couples photos and tag USPTA throughout social media to be highlighted on our official channels.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President...................................................................... Gary Trost First Vice President................................................. Feisal Hassan Vice Presidents..........................................Cari Buck, Mark Faber,
Trish Faulkner, Bill Mountford, Richard Slivocka
Immediate Past President.............................................Chuck Gill CEO...........................................................................John Embree Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell
ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE Editor.............................................................................John Cornell Managing Editor ................................................... DeVonte’ Martin Layout/Design........................................................... Gustavo Reyes Editorial Assistance.......................... Tommy Cardinal, Risa Epstein, Ramona Husaru, Fred Viancos, Ashley Walker, Ellen Weatherford Circulation................................................................ Trevor Trudelle USPTA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827
USPTA
Mike Quitko, former Quinnipiac University men’s and women’s tennis head coach, was inducted into the USPTA New England Hall of Fame. Quitko, a Quinnipiac Hall of Famer, coached for 23 years and won 18 conference championships. Quitko is the first coach in Quinnipiac’s history to ever reach 500 wins, amassing a combined record of 526-320 (.621), going 238-171 as the men’s coach and 296149 with the women’s team.
To submit an article for publication or to submit member news, please visit www.usptaADDvantage.com
ADDvantage is published monthly by the USPTA The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the United States Professional Tennis Association. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA. ..
Cover Photo by Hans Romer
February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 59
USPTA
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Exams, Upgrades & PTCA Wheelchair Certification 4 Credits for PTCA I Segment Exams, Upgrades & PTCA Feb. 2 – 3 ................. Hilton Head Island, SC Feb. 9 – 10 ....................... Johns Creek, GA Feb. 11 – 12 ............................ Orlando, FL Feb. 13..........................North Merrick, NY Feb. 14 – 15 .......................Centennial, CO Feb. 16 – 17 ............ Huntington Beach, CA Feb. 17 ...................................Boston, MA Feb. 21.................................... Wichita, KS Feb. 22 ................................ Mt. Kisco, NY Feb. 23................................ Eau Claire, WI Feb. 23 – 24 ................. Horseshoe Bay, TX Mar. 2 – 3 ................................. Rome, GA Mar. 3 – 4 ..................... Potomac Falls, VA Mar. 4.......................................La Jolla, CA Mar. 8 – 9 ................................ Austin, TX Mar. 8 – 9 ............................. Lafayette, LA Mar. 9 – 10 ....................... Boca Raton, FL Mar. 9 – 10 ............. Huntington Beach, CA Mar. 15 .......................... Minneapolis, MN Mar. 15 ........................... Nichols Hills, OK Mar. 23 – 24 ......................... Charlotte, NC Mar. 24 – 25 ...........................Burbank, CA Mar. 30 – 31 ....................... Columbus, GA Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade. PTCA I is included in the two day exam. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. 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.
USPTA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The USPTA Leadership Academy is laser focused coaching on key tennis industry leadership principles. Led by USPTA members Feisal Hassan, Ajay Pant, Sara Morse and Jose Pastrello, the leadership academy will use case studies, selfassessments and best practices and behaviors. Additional topics to build a strong leadership base will include time management, communication
Feb. 27 – 28......................Salt Lake City, UT June. 20 – 21.............................. Salem, OR Oct. 17 – 18............................. Lakeland, FL Nov. 7 – 8................................Lafayette, IN
2019 USPTA Division Conference Schedule Division Conferences - 6 Credits Feb. 16 – 17................ Intermountain Division Lifetime Fitness; Centennial, CO
Feb. 21 – 23............... Missouri Valley Division
Platform Tennis
Crestview Country Club; Wichita, KS
Feb. 21 ....................... Certification Course
Feb. 21 – 24...............................Texas Division
Feb. 24 – 25 ................ Certification Course
Feb. 28 – Mar. 3...........................Mid-Atlantic
Mar. 19 – 20 ................ Certification Course
Mar. 1 – 3............................Northern Division
Apr. 21 ........................ Certification Course
Mar. 2 – 3...........................San Diego Division
Englewood, CO
Garden City, NY Golf, IL
Stamford, CT
Horseshoe Bay Resort; Horseshoe Bay, TX
Trump National; Potomac Falls, VA
Fred Wells Tennis and Learning Center; St. Paul, MN La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club; La Jolla, CA
Apr. 27 – 28...........Southern California Division SeaCliff Country Club; Huntington Beach, CA
Mar. 29 – 30................ Certification Course
USPTA National Headquarters; Lake Nona, FL
May 24 – 25 ................ Certification Course
Rutherford, NJ
Cardio Tennis Mar. 6......................Level 1 Training Course
The Lakes Country Club; Palm Desert, CA
Mar. 22....................Level 1 Training Course
Crooked Creek Country Club; Atlanta, GA
Oct. 12....................Level 1 Training Course
Midtown Athletic Club; Palatine, IL
Nov. 9......................Level 1 Training Course
Methodist University; Fayetteville, NC
pickleball Mar. 1......................................... Workshop
May 3 – 5............................................Eastern
Doral Arrowhead; Rye Brook, NY
May 3 – 5...................................New England Foreside Fitness and Tennis Center; Falmouth, ME
May 16 – 18.........................Southern Division North Hill Country Club; Raleigh, NC
May 17 – 19...................... Southwest Division La Camarilla Racquet; Swim & Fitness Phoenix, AZ
May 30 – June 2...................... Florida Division PGA National; Palm Beach Gardens, FL
May 31 – June 1......Pacific Northwest Division Central Park Tennis Club; Kirkland , WA
Aug. 15 – 16........................ Midwest Division Western Southern Open; Cincinnati, OH
Sept. 23 – 27 ...........USPTA World Conference
Westgate Las Vegas; Las Vegas, NV
Online education
Midtown Palatine, IL
May 19....................................... Workshop Raleigh, NC
Jun. 2......................................... Workshop Palm Beach Gardens, FL
skills, customer service, team building, budgets and HR issues. This is a very interactive course that will involve group participation utilizing group projects and exercises within each training module. All sessions will be held at USPTA World Headquarters in Lake Nona, Florida.” Information and Location: • Dates: April 12-14 • Location: USPTA Headquarters, Orlando, FL • Cost: $499 • Education credits: 6 credits + up to 9 credits for the education sessions.
60 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019
Watch webinars, seminars, On Court with USPTA episodes, specialty courses and much more on TennisResources.com to earn your education credits.
