Annual Conference

More than 200 people attended the USTA Missouri Valley The USTA Missouri Valley honored its 2011 Hall of Fame class Annual Conference from December 2-4 at the Sheraton during a luncheon on Saturday. Inducted this year were Rex Coad Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas. The conference theme, (Wichita, Kansas), James “Buddy” Fields (Wichita, Kansas), Janet “Tennis: Teaming with Opportunity“ encapsulated the weekend as Thomas Griffith (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Jane Pratt (St. Louis, Missouri) the speakers and workshops demonstrated the many opportunities and Kim Steinmetz (St. Louis, Missouri). The five new members of the that are available to Missouri Valley Hall of Fame bring the total number grow the game in of members to 104. Visit the USTA Missouri Valley the coming years. website to read more about each of our Hall of Fame inductees. Craig Jones, the USTA Director of Also honored Saturday were more than 20 Missouri Youth Play and Valley award winners and 10 junior sportsmanship Competition, winners. The full list can also be found on the USTA presented a 10 and Missouri Valley website. Under Tennis clinic Friday afternoon The conference concluded on Sunday with a Meeting to help attendees of the Association, as well as open and closed board understand how meetings. To open the meeting, Carol Welder, Director to make 10 and At Large of the National USTA Board of Directors, Under Tennis work gave a presentation comparing the USTA of today for them with case versus the 1970’s to show the progress we have made studies and best practices. Beyond Volunteers gathered during the Annual Conference for a USTA League coordinators’ training to learn about new rules and best practices for 2012. over the years. It was a wonderful reflection of how far the USTA has come and a great charge to go into 2012 the clinic on Friday, with that same mindset. Jones put his words into action by hosting a USTA Play Day on Saturday night, held at Midtown Athletic Club, which highlighted The 2012 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference will be held various games and drills that can be used to host a successful USTA November 30 - December 2, also at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Play Day. Park, Kansas.

Saturday’s agenda also featured Gary Avischious, a noted author and one of the country’s top authorities on coaching education, training and certification. Avischious pointed out many common mistakes that adults make while working with children, emphasizing that selfmotivated athletes are the best athletes and letting your child make mistakes is one of the best things you can do for them.

In addition to the informational sessions, the conference held committee meetings for each of the major USTA programs, including community tennis, collegiate tennis, adult competition, diversity and many more. Friday also featured a full day of training for USTA League coordinators.

Above: Three of the five new inductees into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, (from left) Kim Steinmetz, Rex Coad and Janet Thomas Griffith.