2023 Summer Serve

Tennis is booming!

While we are all mourning the sudden loss of our leader and passionate tennis advocate, Steve Henry, we know that he would want us to continue his vision of growing tennis in our communities through coaching education and training, enhancing and developing our volunteer experience, promoting our longevity and health benefits, and growing and retaining participation in all programs. Leading that effort will be President Alex Lee (formerly 1st Vice President) along with 1st Vice President Beth Causey (formerly Treasurer), Vice Presidents Terry Jackson and Kim Hughes-Gill, Secretary Deborah Fabrizius and newly appointed Treasurer Kate Foss.

Our passionate group of dedicated volunteer leaders at the section and district levels are very excited about the continued growth of tennis in their communities. We are in the thick of registering for adult USTA Leagues, Junior Team Tennis, tournaments and coaching education opportunities. Tennis is booming! Please find a friend and bring them to the court! Encourage them to volunteer in their local community, maybe for their local Community Tennis Association, National Junior Tennis and Learning or help at a tournament! We want everyone to have the best experience possible!

Let’s get out and play!

& Executive Director

CEO

Beth Causey First Vice President

Kimberly Hughes-Gill Vice President

Terry Jackson Vice President

Deborah Fabrizius Secretary

Kate Foss Treasurer

Jason Mathes Delegate

Alex Lee President

2023-24 Executive Committee

MEET ALEX LEE

In early April, the USTA Missouri Valley Board of Directors confirmed Wichita’s Alex Lee as the new board president. Lee was previously serving as first vice president under Steve Henry. Lee moved into the role after Steve’s untimely passing.

He has served on the board of directors since 2005 and has been a tireless advocate for tennis throughout his tenure. He has spent more than 15 years serving on USTA National committees, including currently serving on the Collegiate Pathway Committee.

Lee is still very active within the Wichita tennis community. He is the Executive Director of the McAdams National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapter in Wichita. He is the Head Men’s Tennis Coach at Friends University. He is a PTR Certified Professional and a USPTA Certified Elite Professional and has more than 30 years of teaching and playing experience, dating back to his time playing on the men’s tennis team at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

But who is Alex Lee outside of his professional roles? Get to know him a little better with the Q&A below.

How did you first get into tennis?

I was a freshman in college at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). One of my dorm mates, Robert Harris, invited a group of us to play tennis with him. We all played and had a great time, but I was the only one that kept playing. Robert and I became best friends and played every day after class. I remember the UAPB #1 player James Mitchell watching me play and he nicknamed me “Big Forehand AL”. My sophomore year, I walked onto the tennis team after a spot opened. By my senior year I was a pretty good player and finished my senior year with a 6-3 record at No. 2 singles position.

What is your favorite tennis memory?

My best tennis memory was winning the American Tennis Association (ATA) National 60 Singles in Fort Lauderdale in 2016. The ATA is the historical organization formed in 1916 when the USTA would not allow blacks to play in their tournaments. So, a group of black clubs started the ATA tournament that was open to all Americans. My first ATA National in 1991, there was over 1,400 entries. I had to win four matches to capture the title, but there was one big obstacle - the No. 1 seed was Jonathan Hart. He was ranked No. 13 in the USTA National 60 singles rankings and had previously defeated me 6-0, 6-1 in Atlanta 2011 ATA Nationals. He won the 1st set 6-1, then I decided I would hit my forehand as hard as I could. I won the match 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Winning the ATA National Singles Championship was always a dream of mine. I also teamed with Gregory Fleming from Memphis to win the 60 Doubles title. “I had a very good year”.

Q&A with Alex Lee continued...

Could you share some more information about your foundation in Arkansas?

After starting the McAdams NJTL Foundation in Wichita in 2009, I talked to my siblings about doing the same thing in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to introduce tennis to youth and adults. Lee Sports Foundation was a big success in Pine Bluff and we had camps with around 50 or more participants. My whole family joined in to make tennis a great experience to the participants. My brothers Kenneth and Charles continue to operate the foundation in Arkansas.

Why are you so passionate about tennis?

Introducing this great sport to youth and adults of all backgrounds became my mission. I didn’t get a chance to play tennis when I was a youth, so I want to make sure everyone has that opportunity. Through the McAdams NJTL, I have had youth in my programs attend a camp in Washington D.C., four NJTL Essay writers won trips to Arthur Ashe Kids Day in NYC, two college scholarship winners, sponsored six youth in WSU tennis camps that included a tour of the Engineering department on campus. Tennis opportunities can shape the lives of our youth and build sportsmanship and character.

Complete the Statement: If you really knew me, you would know: I actually have a cover on my license plate that says “I love tennis”.

What volunteer roles have you held within the USTA?

• USTA Kansas District roles include Diversity Chair and Community Development Chair, 2001-2004

• USTA Missouri Valley roles include Executive Board of Directors, 2005-2023

• USTA National committee member roles include: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, National Junior Tennis and Learning, Community Tennis Association, Collegiate Pathway and Section Reps, 2005-2023

Why is it important to volunteer your time and give back to the USTA and your community?

I think everyone should find their passion in life. I found tennis thanks to Fred Johnson who was the USTA Missouri Valley Diversity Manager at the time. He helped me discover my passion so I’m trying to pass it on. I don’t know anyone that hasn’t wanted to try tennis. I want to make tennis accessible to everyone. Creating a pathway to high school tennis, collegiate tennis, USTA leagues, USTA tournaments, and maybe beyond is a great way to start the day.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I have to thank my wife Bobbie and my son Alex for sticking with me through this journey. They also love tennis but not the way I love it. If I ask them for help with a tennis event, they don’t hesitate to support me, they just say, “Here he goes again.” I also want to thank Friends University. As head tennis coach, it’s been a nice journey of faith and tennis with a sport that I love dearly.

“I LOVE TENNIS”

OFFICIATING GROWTH MANAGER

After an intensive search process, USTA Missouri Valley is excited to introduce Micah Matthews as the new Officiating Growth Manager, covering USTA Missouri Valley and USTA Northern. We introduced you to this new position back in March and are excited to have Micah in place to help take our officiating to a new level.

While she is still relatively new to the position, Matthews says she is looking forward to what she can accomplish in her first few months. Her top priority in the early-going will be building relationships with as many people as possible.

“I will start out with relationship building within the sections,” she said. “Not only within the teams of the sections but also with coaches, and university coaches, club coaches and parks and recreation coaches.”

One of her main objectives is to raise awareness among all types of coaches about the need for more officials across the section, as well as the country. Throughout the summer and fall, she will be conducting in-person officiating informational sessions across the section. If you’re interested in learning more about these sessions, feel free to contact Micah at micah.matthews@usta.com.

Through this awareness campaign and the relationships she hopes to build, Matthews hopes to create a stronger, broader base for recruiting officials. Once the initial phase is done, the long-term goal is to see a 20% increase in officials in each of her sections.

Matthews says that officials are more important now than ever, especially in tennis.

“Tennis is an etiquette sport. And I feel like we have lost that along the way,” she said. “It’s an etiquette sport first. And officials are needed to keep the sports safe and fair.”

Much like in any recruiting position, the relationships she can build will be the key to her success. But on top of that, she says more attention to the overall need will be key. Oftentimes, we don’t think about officials until we need one and Matthews hopes to change that.

“I had never really considered officiating before. I was a player, and I was a coach. And I had never really thought about officiating before,” she said. “So, if I hadn’t thought about it, and I grew up with tennis, I’m sure there’s tons of people that have not thought about it.”

One thing, though, is clear: the future of officiating in our section is in good hands with Matthews.

WE ARE AT YOUR SERVICE.

Whether you’re a parent, provider or player, learn more about how we are a member-based organization that is service driven to grow and develop the game of tennis.

2023 grants.

USTA Missouri Valley offers grants to assist organizations to initiate or expand their tennis programming activities.

2023 Grant Deadlines:

- Friday, February 17

- Friday, April 14

- Friday, July 14

- Friday, August 25

- Friday, October 20

• SECTION LEVEL GRANT CATEGORIES

- Serving Up Tennis Grants

-(Not-for-Profit Organizations)

- Grow the Game Tennis Grants

-(For-Profit Organizations)

- Pro-Circuit Assistance Grant

- Innovative Project Assistance Grant

- Facility Assistance Grant

- National Tennis Month Local Events (May 2023)

-Deadline: March 30, 2023

• DISTRICT LEVEL GRANT CATEGORY

- USTA District Grants

If you have questions please contact:

Tara Williams

USTA Missouri Valley Community Tennis Manager 913-302-5901 williams@movalley.usta.com

For a complete list of available grants, visit www.usta.com/grants

Tennis is booming.

WE’VE

REACHED OVER

43%

57% CORE PLAYERS CASUAL PLAYERS

The study defines a “core player” as someone who plays tennis more than 10 days out of the year, while a “casual player” plays nine or fewer days.

© 2023 Tennis Industry Association

In 2022, one in every 17 people played tennis, an improvement over 2021 (1 in 18).

and 1 million want to play!

More than one million people played tennis at least once during 2022 in USTA Missouri Valley. This accounts for 4 percent of the entire United States’ population of tennis players. Across the United States as a whole, 23.6 million people aged 6+ played tennis in the past year. Compared to 2021, tennis grew 0.3% in 2022, which is well ahead of the section’s pre-pandemic levels. Dating back to 2018, only 4.8 percent of people played tennis in USTA Missouri Valley compared to six percent today! people (age 6+) improvement

According to the study, 1 million additional people were “very interested” in playing tennis. This screams opportunity for growth!

Compared to the broader USTA Missouri Valley population, tennis players tend to skew younger and more likely Hispanic/Latino and Asian. 13 percent of players are AAPI (229 index compared to section population). 15 percent are Hispanic/Latino (219 index compared to section population). Participation rates among players aged 6-34 all index higher than section population.

Play All Summer

Check out your summer play opportunities throughout USTA Missouri

Adult L4 USTA Missouri Valley 55+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

May 5-7, St. Louis, Missouri

North American Indian Tennis Association Tournament

May 26-29, Tulsa, Oklahoma

may june

Junior L4 USTA Missouri Valley #3

June 3-5, Multiple Locations

Adult L4 USTA Missouri Valley 18+ NTRP & Open Indoor Championship

June 9-11, Tulsa, Oklahoma

ITF 25K Men’s Pro Circuit

Week of June 12, Wichita, Kansas

Adult L4 USTA Missouri Valley Family Championship

June 16-18, Overland Park, Kansas

USTA National Husband/Wife Doubles

June 16-18, Overland Park, Kansas

ITF 25K Men’s Pro Circuit

Week of June 19, Tulsa, Oklahoma

ITF 25K Women’s Pro Circuit

Week of June 19, Wichita, Kansas

Junior L3 USTA Missouri Valley #1

June 22-25, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Adult L4 USTA Missouri Valley 18+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

June 30 - July 2, St. Louis, Missouri

Summer Long

Missouri Valley below!

Junior L2 Team Intersectional

July 15-17, Edmond, Oklahoma

USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Section Championship

July 18-19, Edmond, Oklahoma

USTA Missouri Valley League 65 & Over Section Invitational

July 14-16, Overland Park, Kansas

L4 St. Louis Indoor Wheelchair Championships

July 21-23, Chesterfield, Missouri

Adult L4 USTA Missouri Valley 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

July 21-23, Kansas City, Missouri

Junior L4 USTA Missouri Valley #4 ITF 25K Men’s Pro Circuit

July 22-24, Multiple Locations

july august

Week of July 24, Edwardsville, Illinois

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship I

August 4-6, St. Louis, Missouri

Adult L4 USTA Missouri Valley 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

August 18-20, St. Louis, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship II

August 18-20, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship III

August 25-27, Tulsa, Oklahoma & Topeka, Kansas

OVER 100 EVENTS IN THE MONTH OF MAY!

The following

In loving memory

The impact that not only in Oklahoma immeasurable.

-Emmy Huffnagel,

I met with Steve so I invited apply for a -Laura Puryear,

I worked for years and friends. I went games with family and together to for the USPTA I’m really friend and -Randy

Painton, Earlywine

Steve’s commitment USTA volunteer unparalleled and commitment position he example for our time to

-Bill Towler

memory of Steve Henry

USTA Missouri Valley President 2023

that Steve Henry had on the sport of tennis and the lives of tennis players Oklahoma and the Missouri Valley but across the country is profound and immeasurable. We are all better because of this life so well lived.

Huffnagel, Former ED of First Serve OKC

Steve often and he was open to learning and getting involved him to attend the USTA Oklahoma District Annual Meeting and committee. The rest is history...

Puryear, Oklahoma TSR

for Steve for 14 and we became good went to several OU with him and his and we often drove to Kansas City USPTA Conference. going to him as a and boss.

Painton, Head Pro Earlywine Tennis Center

commitment to being a volunteer leader was unparalleled in terms of the time commitment he gave each he served in. A great for all of us that give volunteer.

Our section and district are definitely in a better place because of Steve. His loss will be felt throughout the country in the tennis industry...He impacted many lives as a father, coach, volunteer, leader and mentor. He will be missed.

-David Minihan, USTA Oklahoma Executive Director

My favorite moments with Steve were visiting with him about being a parent of two girls. He would talk about the next stages coming up and give such great advice for when my daughters were at that phase of life.

-Lisa Minihan, former USTA Missouri Valley President

Steve’s attention to detail (on and off the courts), his rapport with players and captains, his passion for tennis and his pride for the OKC Tennis Center was palpable.

-Marilyn Sherman, National Promotions Manager, USTA League

To me, Steve Henry was Oklahoma Tennis. Steve was a combination of all the wonderful things tennis brings to my life: fun, hard work, commitment, friendship, and determination. There was only one Steve. His touch on all things tennis in Oklahoma will be felt for many many years.

-Mary Jo Tasker, USTA Oklahoma President

STEVE HENRY AND I GREW TO BE GREAT FRIENDS OVER THE 9 YEARS I WORKED FOR THE OSSAA. I’VE GOT TO SAY I HAVE NEVER MET A MAN MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS JOB AND THE SPORT OF TENNIS.

-DAVID GLOVER,

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT KINGFISHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Steve Henry played tennis just like he lived life with fairness and humility. He helped me become a better professional.

-Tim Ritchie, General Manager, OKCTC

“...part of being court is learning with the emotional lows that come developing a skill...”

The physical benefits of tennis are relatively obvious, but the mental benefits are just as important for juniors and adults. From mental health to cognitive function, tennis provides so many unseen benefits that better the lives of tennis players of all ages.

The most common and well-known mental benefits revolve around stress and brain power advantages. Tennis players generally develop a better ability to deal with stress and other emotional challenges. Tennis also enhances a player’s alertness and tactical thinking, which provides benefits on and off the court.

Tennis also provides other cognitive advantages that most of us don’t think about when considering the mental side of the game. While not as commonly known, these are just as valuable to players of all ages.

USTA Missouri Executive Director is an associate professor of developmental psychology at Missouri State University. She has seen how sports in general, but especially tennis, can help all ages improve their lives and well-being.

“One of the surprising and very positive advantages of engaging in physical activity for children in particular is related to something known as executive functioning, which is a host of skills that helps children manage their behaviors, their emotion regulation,” Echols said.

In a sport like tennis, this sort of emotional regulation becomes especially important. Obviously, juniors are required from a young age to officiate their matches on their own. Couple that with the competitive point-by-point nature of tennis and kids have to learn from a young age how to regulate their emotions to find success.

“If you think about emotion regulation for example, part of being on a tennis court is learning how to deal with the emotional highs and lows that come along with developing a skill, being in a match situation which is competitive and you’re either gonna win or you’re gonna lose overall,” Echols said. “But even just those individual points, that opportunity to help kids learn how to regulate those emotions seems very unique and in tennis because it’s point by point, you just have a lot of repetition and opportunity to practice that.”

Along with this emotion regulation comes increased problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Tennis players are in a unique position where they have to come to solutions without the help of teammates or outside influences for the most part. They need to learn how to calmly resolve any conflict or disagreements with their opponents during the heat of a match.

Click here to read more USTA articles on the mental health benefits of tennis.

being on a tennis learning how to deal emotional highs and along with skill...”

USTA Missouri Valley

AAPI feature story excerpts

USTA St. Louis feature on Shaan Patel, who is Asian Indian

May is...

USTA St. Louis standout Shaan Patel has made waves as one of the premier prep players in the St Louis area and USTA Missouri Valley section But it’s his integrity, character and positive disposition both on the tennis court and off it that has earned him recognition multiple times over in the form of sportsmanship accolades

Patel, in the midst of his freshman season at John Burroughs School, earned the 2022 Boys 14s Junior Sportsmanship Award from both USTA St Louis and USTA Missouri Valley. He picked up a sportsmanship award for the Boys 14s Spring Team in March 2022, and he received the Tom Patterson Sportsmanship Award at the 2022 USTA Boys 14s Indoor National Championships.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) communities consist of approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries.

He has so much respect for the game itself,” his mother Punita Patel said Punita noted Rafael Nadal, whose stellar sportsmanship is likewise well-documented, is one of Shaan’s favorite players.

USTA MISSOURI VALLEY FEATURES

USTA St. Louis feature on Shaan Patel - Asian Indian

USTA St. Louis standout Shaan Patel has made waves as one of the premier prep players in the St. Louis area and USTA Missouri Valley section. But it’s his integrity, character and positive disposition — both on the tennis court and off it — that has earned him recognition multiple times over in the form of sportsmanship accolades.

Patel, in the midst of his freshman season at John Burroughs School, earned the 2022 Boys 14s Junior Sportsmanship Award from both USTA St. Louis and USTA Missouri Valley. He picked up a sportsmanship award for the Boys 14s Spring Team in March 2022, and he received the Tom Patterson Sportsmanship Award at the 2022 USTA Boys 14s Indoor National Championships.

“He has so much respect for the game itself,” his mother Punita Patel said. Punita noted Rafael Nadal, whose stellar sportsmanship is likewise well-documented, is one of Shaan’s favorite players.

Side note: please read this article about Shaan’s mother, a doctor who recently performed CPR at an L4 junior tournament saving the life of a tennis pro.

https://www usta com/en/home/stay-current/missourivalley/examining-heart-health-and-t

Click here to read this article about Shaan’s mother, a doctor who recently performed CPR at an L4 junior tournament saving the life of a tennis pro.

USTA Iowa feature on Jyun-Yi (Nicole) Lee - Taiwanese

Jyun-Yi (Nicole) Lee came all the way to Des Moines, Iowa, from Taipei, Taiwan, to play tennis at Drake University.

Lee started playing tennis around the age of six, when her older brother wanted to play and they were both able to take some private lessons. She said tennis is not a common sport in Taiwan. Lee said she hopes months like Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month bring awareness to different cultural groups. She is the only student at Drake who is Taiwanese.

“Being an Asian, I find myself in a minority group at school because Drake does not have that much Asian,” she said. “Therefore, it is important to recognize and understand different cultures during this month.

USTA St. Louis feature on Jon Tchen - Vietnamese-Chinese

Jon Tchen’s two children, Sam and Rachel, wanted to give tennis a try when they were in junior high school. Instead of waiting for his daughters to begin taking lessons, Tchen — a self-starter who enjoys sports and is passionate about education — signed up for tennis lessons himself to in turn teach Sam and Rachel how to play.

In the process, Tchen fell in love with the sport and has been playing ever since. About 20 years later, Tchen competes in USTA St. Louis matches close to every other day year-round and serves as a team captain, too. Tchen has captained a USTA St. Louis 4.5-level Sunday men’s team for more than a decade. Additionally, he manages a Tuesday night league that combines competitors and captains from that Sunday offers.

“The main reason I want to do it is to get more players involved in wanting to play the game,” Tchen said. “Those who have the desire to play should be able to play. We want the game to grow. We want to make sure everybody who wants to play or is on the fence of wanting to play should play. And find a team to get involved with. It’s a wonderful platform to build relationships.”

Tchen was born in China and lived in both Mozambique and France. He grew up most of his life in Brazil before coming to the U.S. to attend Abilene Christian University in Texas. After graduating with a degree in medical technology, Tchen worked in a hospital for a couple of years and then went into medical sales. He took a medical sales job in St. Louis in 1985 and has owned a recruiting firm in the biotechnology/healthcare sector since 1997. The 63-year-old is married to his wife, Peggy.

USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE

FIND A LEAGUE NEAR YOU!

USTA Missouri Valley League numbers have seen steady growth in the past two years in both registrations and players. Thank you to everyone who participates in making Adult Leagues a success in our section!

13.06%

Registration was up 13.06% that is 3,510 more registrations than 2021.

10.19% 79.83%

Unique players was up 10.19%, that is 868 more players than 2021.

Retention was up 3.20% over 2021. We retained 79.83% of our players from 2021 through 2022.

SILVER - 2023 COLOR WARS

COMMUNIT Y USTA LEVEL 1

WHO Coaches who assist play/practice activities for beginner youth

Coaches who assist programs for beginner to low-inter mediate players of all ages

CARDIO TENNIS

Tennis and Fitness instructors who want to lear n and continuously improve their delivery of Cardio Tennis workouts and programming

NAME

Net Generation Community Workshop

WHAT 4-hour, in-person training for non-certified coaches showcases activities for each ball color as well as how to assist the primary coach to manage and organize practices

Perfect for part-time community or volunteers coaches prior to starting their Net Generation practice sessions

Community Coach

USTA Level 1 Coach Workshop

Two-day, in-person training for non-certified coaches that combines online prework & on-court lear ning to help you build the skills needed to teach beginner to low-inter mediate players of all ages and will help you:

● Provide safe and organized sessions

● Set up, manage and coach activities within the war m-up, skill and game elements of the lesson

● Create an environment that fosters positive tennis experiences, provides opportunities for early success, and develops a love of the game

USTA Level 1 Coach Workshop

Cardio Tennis Workshop

5-hour, in-person training for certified tennis and fitness professionals Cardio Tennis Brand Standards:

● High Intensity Tennis Training

● All fitness and ability levels, for men and women, all ages 12-65+

● Ideal number is 6-8 athletes per court

● Emphasis on group heart rate training

Cardio Tennis Instructor CEU

PURPOSE Introduction to the Net Gen Curricula

A follow-up / refresher course to the School PE Teacher In-Service or USTA Level 1

Coaches who complete the workshop will have the opportunity to be certified as a Level 1 Coach with both USPTA/PTR upon meeting additional membership/certification requirements

Introduces How to Coach Skills & Net Gen Activities Sets the Foundation for Coaching Skills, including How to Coach, Manage, and Organize Sessions

There is no certification for Cardio Tennis Coaches who complete the Cardio Tennis education are “qualified” Both USPTA/PTR will honor credits for CT education both on-line and in-person

Cardio Tennis is a high energy group fitness experience which uses the sport of tennis in a structured games-based for mat to deliver the ultimate, full body, calorie bur ning aerobic workout

NET NOTES

BREWER TEAM CUP

USTA Missouri Valley juniors represented the section well at March’s Level 1: Brewer Team Cup Championships in Mobile, AL. The four-day team tournament featured juniors from all over the country teaming up under various USTA coaches. Shaan Patel from St. Louis helped his team take home top honors in the Boys 16s division, while William Brown coached the runner-up team in the same division. Six USTA Missouri Valley juniors also were awarded daily sportsmanship awards by tournament organizers: Sydney Fuger, Shaan Patel (awarded twice), Kale Mize, Anish Poojari, Emerey Gross and Langdon Tingleaf.

FEATURED FACILITY AWARD

Edmond Center Court in Edmond, Okla., was named the Featured Facility of the Year, the highest honor the USTA bestows on a tennis facility, at the 2023 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference. Edmond Center Court was one of 33 honorees in the USTA’s annual Outstanding Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.

TERRY MILLER RETIRES

USTA Heart of America District League Coordinator, Terry Miller, has announced that she will be retiring from her District League Coordinator role as of this summer. Terry is the first and only league coordinator the district has ever had, so there will be big shoes to fill. After 43 years of serving the district and growing tennis exponentially, Terry will be stepping down in July. Thank you, Terry, for all you’ve done. Tennis is in a far better place thanks to you.

NTRP NATIONALS

The 2023 NTRP National Championships recently wrapped up around the country. The championships had singles and doubles events for three age divisions: 18+, 40+ and 55+. 36 USTA Missouri Valley players qualified to play in the championships and had great experiences. They traveled to places like Arizona, Florida, California and Alabama to play in their respective championships. Congratulations to all who qualified and played. We’re glad you all had such great experiences at your championships!

The 2023 application is open through June 1.

Left: Champions, Right: Second place team with Coach William Brown

TOURNAMENT TALK

NET NOTES

TENNIS ON CAMPUS

Cooper Tennis Complex once again hosted the 2023 USTA Missouri Valley Tennis On Campus Section Championship in early March. A total of 16 teams showed up to compete for a berth at the National Championships in April. In a rematch of last year’s finals, Washington University of St. Louis and the University of Iowa battled back and forth with Wash U. emerging victorious once again with a 25-23 win. On the adjacent courts, it was another rematch of last year’s 3rd/4th place match between the University of Kansas and Iowa State University. This match determined the third and final team to advance to Nationals, and this year it was the Jayhawks who came out on top. Each team won at least two matches during their time at Nationals. Washington University went 1-2 in pool play, then went 2-2 in the bronze bracket to finish with an overall record of 3-4. The University of Kansas went 1-2 in pool play, then went 1-3 in the bronze bracket to finish with an overall record of 2-5. The University of Iowa went 0-3 in pool play, then went 2-2 in the copper bracket to finish with an overall record of 2-5.

This year USTA Missouri Valley is conducting a monthly Adult Tournament webinar series called ‘Tournament Talk’. Each month during 2023, starting in March, USTA Missouri Valley Adult Play Manager Scott Howes will be discussing topics associated with USTA Missouri Valley adult tournaments. Topics range from Tournament Levels to how to earn NTRP Ranking points and everything in between. Each webinar also has time for a Q&A session at the end, so don’t be shy about getting your burning questions answered.

Wednesday, May 10 @ 3:00pm Wheelchair Tournaments Tournament ‘Trailblazers’

Wednesday, June 14 @ 3:00pm General Tournament Search Adult Tennis Social Play

Wednesday, July 12 @ 3:00pm World Tennis Number (WTN) Senior International Competition

Wednesday, Aug. 9 @ 3:00pm Play Formats / Scoring Formats Friend at Court

Wednesday, Sept. 13 @ 3:00pm USTA Customer Care

Wednesday, Oct. 11 @ 3:00pm Open Discussion

Wednesday, Nov. 8 @ 3:00pm Preview of 2024

Click here to submit questions and topics!

COOPER WINS INDIAN WELLS

Cooper Woestendick continued his standout junior career with another national tournament victory at the ITF FILA International Junior Championships at Indian Wells in March. He was the No. 11 seed in the tournament and rolled into the finals without dropping a set in his first four matches. He completed his thrilling run with a three-set victory over Great Britain’s Oliver Bonding in the finals.

District Inserts

Thank you Terry Miller!

three years after founding USTA leagues here in USTA Heart of America, our inaugural District League Coordinator has announced that she will step down from her role this summer. Thanks to her, hundreds of thousands of Kansas City Area players have been able to participate in local USTA Leagues. We can not begin to express our gratitude and appreciation for all she has done. She’s an extraordinary woman. In case you missed the profile article on her, you can find it here .

USTA Heart of America Needs Your Award Nominations!

Did you feel someone did something excellent this year? We would like to honor them. Please submit your award nominations! Categories include Sportsmanship, Outstanding Players, Coaches, Volunteers, Officials, and many more. You can access our online nomination form Award Nominations . You can also email nominations to AwardsHOA@gmail.com . Nominations due August 15, 2023 . Banquet to be held in November 2023.

USTA HEART OF AMERICA SUMMER 2023 JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS

USTA

OF AMERICA SUMMER 2023 JUNIOR CIRCUIT EVENTS

HEART

BARBARA J. FACKEL COMMUNITY SERVICE/COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP (2.9.20)

This scholarship is named in honor of the late Barbara J. Fackel, who was recognized by her peers and the USTA for her volunteer service, community service and love of education. She served in leadership positions in the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the USTA Missouri Valley Section, the USTA Iowa District and the Bi-State Community Tennis Association. She served as chair of both Player Development and the Nominating Committee of the USTA, organization president for both the USTA Missouri Valley section and the USTA Iowa district. In 1997, Barbara received the Eve Kraft Community Service Award for her work supporting community tennis. She was also inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006. Barbara is also a member of the USTA Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame, as well as the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. She also received the USTA Barbara Williams Leadership prize in 2016.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one male and one female student attending a twoyear or four-year college or university program, entering as a freshman or sophomore. The Barbara J. Fackel Community Service/College Scholarship is available to applicants who have excelled academically, demonstrated achievements in leadership, participated in various community service/volunteer groups and organized community tennis programs. The recipients of the Barbara J. Fackel Community Service/College Scholarship are eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship to contribute to the cost of tuition and/or educational materials.

Scholarship Guidelines

➔ Applicants living within the state of Iowa including Rock Island County, Illinois are eligible to apply.

➔ Applicants not of age 18 by the time he/she submits their application, will require the signature of a parent/guardian.

➔ Attach two letters of recommendations that notes the student’s strengths and weaknesses and any other additional notable comments.

◆ One letter from a principal or guidance counselor

◆ One letter from a teacher or tennis coach

➔ Attach a list of high school organizations or activities that reflect community/volunteer service and community sport programs, including tennis.

➔ Applications open January 1 of each year

➔ All applications and submitted materials become the property of USTA Iowa and will not be returned.

➔ Recipients will be selected by mid-October each year of award, notified via email and will be required to return an official acceptance form.

➔ Each recipient of a Barbara J. Fackel Community Service/College Scholarship is expected to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student defined by his/her undergraduate institution, no later than the opening fall semester or term after notice of selection for the scholarship.

2023 Nebraska Summer Tournaments

Koch’s Celebrated History

The Koch Family Tennis Center is a premier tennis facility featuring 31 outdoor courts spread over 16 lush acres in northwest Omaha.

Originally built as Tranquility Park Tennis Center with six courts in 1998, Koch expanded over the next ten years with the help of both public and private funds.

Currently the City of Omaha and Omaha Tennis Association (OTA) maintain the facility.

In 2002 and 2013, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) named the Koch its National Facility of the Year.

This notable honor was based on the condition and unique layout of the facility, as well as its ability to host regional and national level events.

These courts could use some Love.

Koch Family Tennis Center is in dire need of substantial repair after decades of use.

Partnering with the City of Omaha, the Omaha Tennis Association (OTA) plans to restore and upgrade this facility – and you can help.

A huge portion of OTA’s programming is based out of the Koch Family Tennis Center. Koch is well known throughout the country because of its rich history hosting national, regional, section and local events for over 25 years.

To fulfill its mission, OTA is undertaking the restoration and upgrading of this flagship facility Join this partnership to bring the Koch Tennis Center back to its former glory, making it once again a tennis center of national renown.

OTA, in partnership with the City of Omaha, will reconstruct 24 of the current 27 courts in need of repair.

Providing the community’s largest bank of tennis courts, Koch offers extensive tennis instruction, recreational and league play, and local high school and college team access. Omaha Public Schools, Creighton Prep, Brownell Talbot, UNO, and Creighton University rely on Koch as their primary practice and competition venue.

Tennis instruction available at Koch includes youth Learn-to-Play programs, private/group lessons with certified professionals, and training programs for tournament tennis officials.

Koch also hosts national, regional, and state events, bringing in players, families, and supporters from across the country.

Koch is vital to local, regional, and national tennis.

omaha tennis association restoring koch family tennis center

Summer Leagues:

Find all 2023 Adult League information HERE:

• Latest League News

• League Calendars

• Looking for a team? Let us help you! Email: leagues@ustastl.com

Adult Tournaments

Find all 2023 Adult Tournament info HERE: Types, Levels & More • MV NTRP & Open Events • St. Louis Summer Challenge • Adult 1 Day/1 Night Events •

Junior Tournaments

Find all 2023 Junior Tournament offerings HERE including:

• Junior Circuits

• District Level 7 to Level 5 Events

• Section Level 4 to Level 2 Events

• National Level 3 to Level 1 Events

Junior Team Tennis

Find all 2023 Junior Team Tennis info HERE including:

• Season Dates & Districts

• JTT Qualifiers

• Section Championships