2025 RSPA Intermountain Fall Edition by RSPA

Racquet Sports Professionals Association Intermountain Newsletter

This year’s WRC25 theme was- Rebrand You: A New Wave began in Hawaii- it was about personal evolution: how each of us can adapt and grow as professionals and leaders to meet the demands of tomorrow. There were insightful and engaging workshops, keynotes and dynamic panels led by industry leaders.

Mahalo,Hawai’i!

Meet the Racquet Sports Professionals Association

Intermountain Board of Directors

KARL JONES - PRESIDENT

My passion for growing tennis was not an epiphany moment, rather a delayed experience over time. It wasn’t until it became about serving others that I truly became ingrained in the fabric of this great sport I have had the distinct honor of being on the receiving end of some wonderful mentorship along my journey Now I’m so excited to play a small part in serving tennis professionals with the tools to grow their careers. These tools include mentorship to younger professionals, on court education ranging from on court to management, and the ability to network and form lifelong relationships Thank you to the RSPA for providing this wonderful platform!

MATT HELM - REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

I serve on the RSPA Board because I want to strengthen and support the organization that has impacted my tennis career in such a positive and influencing way.

PEG CONNER - TREASURER

I'm excited to serve on the RSPA board to help grow the next generation of racquet sports professionals through outreach, mentorship, and education especially among young players, women, and diverse communities while strengthening connections across the Intermountain tennis and racquet sports ecosystem."

GINGER PHILLIPS - SECRETARY

Serving on the Intermountain Board is a privilege as I get to work with such a wonderful group of RSPA pros, learn about and participate in Intermountain RSPA happenings, communicate and share ideas and stay involved off of the tennis court.

KAREN SCHOTT - VICE PRESIDENT

Giving back to a sport that has enriched my education, my career and my personal life is a privilege. I am excited to strengthen the relationships of tennis and pickleball professionals in our Division and to mentor young pros. If I can nurture the development of some dynamic young female pros, whichI feel our sport needs, I will be thrilled.

MAL COYNE - VICE PRESIDENT

I joined the RSPA Intermountain board of directors to connect with fellow racquet sports professionals in my region, exchange knowledge, and collaborate on events. This opportunity will help me grow as a Director of Racquet Sports while also strengthening the racquets community and professional network in Idaho

ANDY ZODIN - PAST PRESIDENT

Serving on the Board, for myself in particular, has been an effort to contribute to the industry in the most effective ways I know how, as this industry has given me so much. Helping Intermountain tennis continue to grow, improve, and evolve with the times has been very satisfying to be a part of. Working with the tremendous people of the RSPA and USTA during my tenure, has been the icing on the cake

RSPA Intermountain

President

Karl Jones

Notes from our President

Dear RSPA Membership,

For those able to attend the World Racquet’s Conference, I hope you have all recovered and settled back into your programs The Conference was a massive success with over 500 people in attendance, prevailing the goal of 250 comfortably. In addition, there were 56 Intermountain Pro’s on hand in Hawaii. The level of support and engagement from our membership is outstanding. The conference offered a wonderful blend of education, networking and Hawaiian culture. We were joined by five scholarship recipients, who you will hear from later in the newsletter One of the highlights of the week is always the Awards Ceremony Having the opportunity to pay homage to professionals that have made impact for many years is such an honor This year, congratulations to David Porter for being inducted into the 2025 RSPA Hall of Fame. Thank you to David, for representing the Intermountain division in this incredible way.

As is customary, upon return from the World Conference preparation has already begun for our 2026 Intermountain Conference This coming year you can expect new presenters, educating us on topics such as coaching, business, operations and leadership Look for more information, soon

Thank you to all our members who offered their time to serve on next year’s Board. What makes me most proud of Intermountain, is the people that make up the organization. The dedicated professionals that are looking to serve, volunteer, and continue in a positive direction, taking our division to new heights is very exciting

For those attending the Women’s Focused Conference in two weeks, I wish you all a great weekend of learning, relationship building and camaraderie. CenHer Court, hosted at the Denver Country Club, will provide a wonderful platform to uplift, inspire and connect women. USTA Intermountain, USTA Colorado, RSPA Intermountain and Women Coaching Racquet Sports have made this possible and promises to be a major step forward in our industry.

Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful Fall!

Karl Jones

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

We are here to support you on your career path. If you need help navigating our racquet sport certification opportunities, please don't hesitate to reach out to me

RSPA Intermountain

Executive Director

Leanne Palmisano

If you have any news you would like to share with the division, such as job postings, promotions, tips, or upcoming events, please send it to me at leanne palmisano@rspa net

Please follow us us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events

WRC25, Kona Hawaii

Congratulations to Dave Porter, this year’s inductee into the RSPA Hall of Fame

The Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) proudly announces that Dr. Dave Porter has been named the recipient of the 2025 Tim Heckler Hall of Fame Award. This honor recognizes Porter’s extraordinary contributions to the sport of tennis and his positive impact on athletes and the coaching community

Dave Porter founded the BYU-Hawaii men’s tennis program in 1984 and expanded his leadership to the women’s team in 1992 Over his distinguished career, Porter has been named ITA National Coach of the Year six times and has earned district, regional, and conference Coach of the Year honors numerous times.

His coaching legacy extends beyond collegiate tennis. Porter led the Chinese women’s doubles team to Olympic gold in 2004 and guided doubles champions at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, showcasing his global influence on the sport

Idaho Division RSPA Board

Member - Malachy Coyne

RSPA Board Members Words

Greetings from Sun Valley, ID!

Fall has settled beautifully into the Wood River Valley. The colors are stunning, and there’s a special energy in the air as locals squeeze in their last mountain bike rides, hikes, and golf rounds before the snow arrives Many of our members head out of town this time of year in search of warm weather, but for those who stay, it’s a favorite season quiet, crisp, and filled with anticipation for winter This weekend marks the club’s always-entertaining “Greenskeeper’s Revenge” Oktoberfest Golf Tournament, a lighthearted sendoff to the outdoor season before our focus fully shifts to indoor (and outdoor) racquet sports With golf courses soon to be buried under snow for more than six months, the pressure is put on our racquets and fitness programming to keep members active and engaged. Our team is ready to get our bubbles back up and ready for a strong winter season of tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis.

We’re also excited to see growing interest in platform tennis a perfect bridge between the summer and winter seasons. A number of new faces have joined in to learn the game, discovering how much it complements both tennis and pickleball skills (Especially Overheads!!)

Before long, the mountains will be covered in white and skis will replace sneakers, but for now, we’re soaking up every bit of this golden Idaho fall.

Malachy Coyne

RSPA Intermountain District News

As we head into fall, there’s a lot of momentum across Colorado and the Colorado region. First, we’re looking ahead to the High School State Championships, taking place October 16–18. The 4A championships will be hosted at Pueblo City Park, while the 5A division will compete at Denver Tennis Park. Best of luck to all the coaches and players preparing for a strong finish to the season.

Looking nationally, the RSPA World Conference will return in 2026, hosted in Dallas, Texas, with early planning already underway for the 100th Anniversary in 2027 in Orlando, Florida a milestone celebration for our association.

Regionally, make sure to lock in February 17–19, 2026, for our Intermountain Conference, and don’t miss the upcoming Women’s Leadership Conference, scheduled for October 25–26 at Denver Country Club.

More updates to come as we finalize programming and 2026 workshop dates As always, thank you for the energy and professionalism you bring to our sport and community

US Open

CHAMPIONS of EQUALITY

Colorado District President Damon Gillette

RSPA Intermountain District News

Fall is a busy time of the year in Montana with the USTA Montana Annual Meeting, Montana Youth Tennis Foundation Tennis Pro-Am & Camp, and the indoor season getting underway at our seven indoor facilities around the state

USPTA members Brad Knutson, Scott Potter, Emma Larson, Kyle Wilson & Devon Sikora all serve on the USTA Montana Board of Directors (Annual Meeting October 5 & 6) and help with the mission of this organization to promote the game of tennis in Montana Thank you for serving on this board and improving the game

The 14 Annual WATSON Children’s Shelter Tennis Pro-am was held September 19 -21, 2025, at Peak Health and Wellness in Missoula. Sixteen (16) local, regional, and former ATP/WTA tour professionals (Mats Wilander, Robert Kendrick, Luke Jensen, Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, & Jesse Witten) converged on the racquet club to participate in a pro-am tournament and an hour adult camp over 3 days. It was a great weekend with a total of $15,000 being raised for the Montana Youth Tennis Foundation. Planning for 2026 is already underway, and everyone looks forward to hearing the dates for 2024.

OUR MISSION

To champion the passion for racquet sports by developing professionals who lead with integrity, innovate in coaching, and inspire a diverse and inclusive racquet sports community.

OUR VISION

To elevate careers in racquet sports with a certified professional on every court, inspiring people in every sport.

Montana District President Scott Potter

RSPA Intermountain District News

As autumn settles over the Treasure Valley, Idaho’s tennis community wraps up another exciting season filled with competition, professional growth, and community spirit From our celebrated Patton Cup to new professional development opportunities, 2025 has been a year of energy and connection throughout the state.

Patton Cup Tournament

This September, the Patton Cup once again took center stage at Bishop Kelly High School, bringing together four co-ed teams of talented junior players for two days of spirited team tennis

The format featured a mix of singles, doubles, and mixed matches promoting both competition and camaraderie.

The event paid tribute to the legendary Coach Greg Patton, whose passion continues to inspire Idaho tennis. Players, coaches, and families alike enjoyed a weekend full of great matches, team spirit, and community celebration

RSPA Level 1 Workshop at BRSC

In August, the Boise Racquet & Swim Club proudly hosted a Level 1 Certification Workshop, led by RSPA tester Conan Lorenzo.

The event featured a diverse group of participants, including two aspiring high school coaches beginning their professional journey and two veteran high school coaches enhancing their credentials and sharing their expertise

The workshop provided valuable on-court instruction, teaching demonstrations, and collaborative learning reinforcing Idaho’s commitment to tennis education and professional excellence.

A special thank-you goes to Conan Lorenzo and the BRSC staff for their exceptional hospitality and dedication to developing the next generation of certified tennis professionals.

Fall Tennis in Idaho

High school tennis participation remains strong, with programs across the state showing impressive growth and enthusiasm.

As players transition indoors, clubs throughout Idaho are hosting fall and winter leagues, junior programs, and adult play opportunities keeping our tennis community active and connected through every season

Upcoming RSPA Drill Share – December 2025

Mark your calendars for the Annual RSPA Drill Share Event, returning this December at the Boise Racquet & Swim Club!

This year’s event will highlight younger teaching professionals from Southern Idaho as presenters giving them a platform to share their favorite drills, creative methods, and fresh ideas

It promises to be an inspiring afternoon of collaboration, learning, and community a true celebration of Idaho’s tennis professionals coming together.

I've also included a few pics from the incredible RWC held in Kona, Hawaii. It just proved that the Intermountain Team is so strong and united together ✌

Idaho District President John Armstrong

RSPA Intermountain District News

All In Tennis Academy Breaks Ground on New Las Vegas Facility

After a long four-year journey, All In Tennis Academy has officially broken ground on its brand-new high-performance tennis facility in southwest Las Vegas. Set to open in May 2026, the academy is designed primarily for junior players training at an elite level, but will also offer programs for players of all ages and abilities. The new facility marks a major milestone for the academy, aiming to raise the standard for tennis development in the region and provide a world-class training environment.

More than just a collection of courts, the new space will be a hub for growth, competition, and community. From junior and adult clinics to USTA tournaments and leagues, the academy is focused on expanding tennis opportunities across the Las Vegas area. “This is the start of a new chapter,” the academy shared, expressing gratitude to everyone who has supported their journey so far. With construction underway, excitement is building for what promises to be a bright future for tennis in the city

Nevada District President Chris Painter

RSPA Intermountain District News

A Season of Change and Continued Play

Utah District President

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s something energizing about this change of seasons. While our outdoor days start to fade, the heartbeat of our pickleball and tennis communities remains strong moving indoors and growing even more vibrant. It’s been inspiring to see our high school girls’ tennis players wrap up another fantastic season, many of them performing so well at State. At the same time, we’re thrilled to witness the formation of high school pickleball teams a wonderful new chapter for youth athletics We’re proud to welcome these young athletes to our courts and facilities as they begin their journeys in this fast-growing sport

Sunpro Tennis and Pickleball Club is especially excited to celebrate one of our own Elsie Hendershot, who recently became the youngest ever to sign a professional contract with the PPA. What an incredible milestone and inspiration for all our up-and-coming players! We are so grateful for our indoor courts that keep the spirit of play alive year-round. They give us the chance to continue improving our skills, strengthen friendships, and nurture our mental well-being even as the weather cools.

The love of these sports is thriving across generations The future of tennis and pickleball is bright, and as a district, we’re committed to fostering that excitement and opportunity for all

Here’s to a wonderful indoor season ahead full of growth, connection, and joy in the game

Elise Hendershot

Youngest ever to sign a PPA contract, proud to have her as a member at our Sunpro Tennis and Pickleball Club Facility where she has played both tennis and pickleball!

Michelle Rawstorne

RSPA Intermountain District News

One of the most important growth traits as a professional is the willingness to learn and apply new skills to the many branches of the tennis services tree. I was asked this summer by the Mountain West Conference to come be their Tournament Director for the 2025 MW NCAA Fall Individual Qualifier and jumped at the chance to try something new. I have over one hundred USTA tournaments under my resume, but zero NCAA events and I wanted to see which professional skills crossed over. I’m going to share my experience and hopefully encourage my fellow RSPA colleagues to branch out if you ever get a free minute away from your facilities or programming. This could also apply to wheelchair or adaptive tennis and anything that takes you out of you comfort zone. Here are some things I learned.

-The ITA TD software is very similar to USTA’s serve Tennis TD software

-The Head Referee has a big job assigning Chair Umpires to matches and being available to be called to court as the supervisor, should any disputes or ruling questions come up. Our Head Referee was very good and even chaired this year’s US Open Junior Boy’s final. She was a wealth of knowledge, managed about 24 Chair Officials and answered all my questions.

-The ITA software sync’s with IonCourt to provide live scoring to the tournament desk. This was helpful in seeing 16 courts in real time and managing the order of play.

-Branding and signage give a big time feel to the event. Banners and Flags from all teams were highly visible and the conference logo was present on courts, tents, credentials and apparel.

-The operations and logistics team must be organized and good at planning. Mountain West Conference staff were the first to arrive and the last to leave each day. Tennis is only one of the sports they manage and seeing their level of organization was impressive.

I had a positive experience for being a rookie and jumping into something new, but familiar. There is a certain energy that only college tennis can bring, and I would encourage all of you coaching juniors to take you players to a college match if you have a local team. Get there early and watch how coaches interact with their team and how they warm-up. I took away many coaching ideas from the event just by roaming warmups and match play.

Wyoming District

President Josh Cossitt

Racquet Sports Professional Association Intermountain

Scholarship Recipient's Testimonials

Peg Connor

USTA/RSPA New Player Incentive Trip Winner

The 2025 RSPA World Conference was amazing Whether it was the opportunity to learn from world class presenters or compare notes with another attendee facing similar challenges, the knowledge gained was invaluable. But most significant of all was the opportunity to network, both with Intermountain colleagues but with folks around the country & the world. I highly recommend that all levels of RSPA pros make the time & spend the treasure to attend these conferences in order to advance their skills and careers. Working with the new women's 2.5 players from Cheyenne & Casper this year was an awesome experience, helping them navigate the competitive stress of USTA league play for the first time. Helping make their initial experience with competition in a team format was very rewarding and all are continuing to participate Thank you to RSPA Intermountain and USTA Intermountain for the opportunity & support it is so appreciated

Jeanette Kay Musser Gruenhagen Colorado District Scholarship Winner

Thank you Intermountain RSPA for the opportunity to attend the World Racquets Conference in Kona this past week! What a privilege to see the leaders in this field through on court activations and classroom presentations. I was especially inspired by the humble and generous wisdom of Ajay Pant (Think Big, Start Small, Go Fast!), the deep visionary leadership of Trish Faulkner, and the on court time with Sarah Stone (Don’t suppress the natural personality of the player!), Mark Bey, Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, and Sophie Woorons.

And truly, the incredible Luau and Hawaiian beauty were special gifts that I will carry with me.

Racquet Sports Professional Association Intermountain

Scholarship Recipient's Testimonials

Gordon Hammond Nevada District Scholarship Winner

What a location!

That alone made the trip.

The list of speakers was as varied as you could imagine Famous players from the ATP and WTA circuit to Industry leaders in the racquet sports and science fields

Mats Wilander and Brenda Shultz showed us how their game still translates into modern teaching High percentage play from the Swede to a Dutch player throwing a football the length of the court, without warmup Mats won a few Grand Slams with a game that he admitted was not very entertaining but still applies to winning today. Brenda made it to the top ten with a recorded 130 mph serve in a match which shows that playing other sports while developing your tennis makes you a better player.

Brian Dillman and Industry leaders showing us the direction the RSPA is heading. The rebranding from USPTA to RSPA and as a coach how you should rebrand yourself. Everyone should at least have a Linkedin account. Outlining that we are not just tennis professionals but racket professionals with demonstrations from a Pro Pickellball player Andrei Daescu

Mark Bey showed us he is still one of the top Pro’s working with High Performance players Telling conference goers your knowledge and time have worth Your “brand” is worth something

Craig O’Shannessy, who taught us all about Serve plus one a few years ago, should make sure our students volley. He offered a teaching tip to “click” into the continental grip as you get into ready position. The odds of winning a point going to the net is higher than staying on the baseline.

Dr. Dave Porter was inducted into the RSPA Hall of Fame. After recovering from lung surgery over a year ago he was now cleared to travel with family to the Big Island to receive his well deserved honor.

I was fortunate to have played for Dave “Coach” at BYU-H. Certified a USPTA P1 by him thirty five years ago. He assisted me getting Certified High Performance Coach. Dave being the “what are we doing next?” was planning we have our perspective High Schools play each other in the Spring of 2026 I want to thank Leanne for all the hard work she does for the RSPA Intermountain The experience I had at the conference was valuable to my career as a coach Inspiring and motivating me to return to Vegas with more knowledge and renewed energy to share with my club and players I meet Almost forgot, the Luau dinner and show was great.

Mahalo

Gordon

Brady Lee

Idaho District Scholarship Winner

The RSPA world conference was incredible. It was my first time going and we are already making plans to go next year. The presenters were incredible. What amazed me more than anything is just how accessible they were after the presentation, they all made time to answer all the questions everybody had. We had a few presenters spend upwards of 15 minutes answering our questions and you could tell he genuinely cared about what we were asking. These coaches/presenters were top notch and you can see how passionate they are about the sport, and they not only care about the high performance kids, you can tell how much they care about developing colored ball players to beginner yellow ball players. We walked out of there with so much new information that we can’t wait to implement in our academy!

Brady

Scholarship Recipient's Testimonials

Brad Knutson

Montana District Scholarship Winner

Idaho District Scholarship Winner Racquet

Scholarship Recipient's Testimonials

Gary Salazar

The World Racquet Conference in Kona, Hawaii, was an absolute blast! Six days of non-stop workshops, networking, and matches under the tropical sun pushed my skills to new heights. The organizers nailed it-great facilities, inspiring speakers, and that island vibe kept everyone energized I’m already counting down to next year!

I recommend all RSPA pros to put Dallas conference in their schedules and start making plans now!

Gary Salazar

RSPA Specialist in Competitive Player Development

USTA Certified High Performance Coach

RSPA Certified Elite Professional

WRC25 Hawaii

56 RSPA Intermountain Members! What a good looking crew. Enjoy photos from the conference.

2025 World Racquets Conference

President Karl Jones and Past President Andy Zodin presented at this year’s conference. Make sure to log into Tennisresources.com to catch their presentation if you missed it.