The Trade Magazine of Men and Women Tennis-Teaching Professionalsn•
February 1994
Volume 18- Issue 2 The Voice Of The Tennis Teaching Profession
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTDRS President Gordon Collins
On the cover Gregg Weida, president of Penn Racquet Sports, oversees the production of Pro Penn balls.
First Vice President Dave Sivertson Vice Presidents Kathy Woods Will Hoag Joe Thompson Kurt Kamperman SecretaryfTreasurer Jim Davis Past President Jack Justice WORLD HEADQUARTERS CEO Tim Heckler
SPECIAL SECTION The US PTA Education Manual: A Career Guide to Professionalism Books I and II is published as excerpts in ADDvantage magazine. The pullout chapters bring more education information to members - free of charge. This issue continues with Book II -Tennis Business Operations & Management, which explores business plans, career development and many other subjects to help tennis professionals keep their edge in the business world .
Director of Operations Rich Fanning Executive Assistant Marty Bostrom Director of Shawna Riley Communications Communications Gayden Cooper
In this edition . .
Book II - Tennis Business Operations & Management Chapter 5 The challenge of communication by Spike Gonzales
Marketing/Business John Tamborello Operations Magazine Coordinator Donna Parke Sports Marketing Karen Unger CoordinatorPublic Relations Dan Soine Assistant Corporate Services Christi Call Manager Secretary Dale Henry Computer Services and Kathy Buchanan Club Relations Education Coordinator Susan A. Thompson Membership/Education Sharon Duste Assistant
FEATURES 8 Super 'Show brings thousands to Atlanta 10 Endorsement of Pro Penn places US PTA in consumers' hands 12 Across America Tennis Day USPTA sets goal of 100 multicultural clinics
13 Teams from Texas tangle in USPTA League championships
Membership/Education Karen Mahon Assistant
14 Across America Tennis Day registration form
Membership/Education Vicky Tristan Assistant
15 Education program enters new grading period, initiates changes
Financial Manager Renee Heckler
15 Former champ dies
Controller Theresa Weatherford Accounting and Michelle Williams Merchandise Services Receptionist Cindy Sauer
17 Tennis and Tea with Lipton is a USPTA tradition 22 Tennis pros rally to 'ace AIDS'
Director of Certification George Bacso and Academies Co-Director of Academies Bill Tym Advertising/Marketing Phone (713) 97-USPTA Information LEGAL COUNSEL Attorney-at-Law Paul Waldman
ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association. For information, write the World Headquarters US PTA One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042 Phone (713) 97-USPTA or fax (713) 978-7780 Office hours: 8:30a.m.- 5 p.m. Central time. Copyright Š United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1994. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine is not permitted without written permission from the publisher.
DEPARTMENTS 3 CEO's message New programs pair members and endorsees to promote tennis and improve industry
5 First vice president's message by Dave Siverston Club managers consider many skills when hiring pros
15 Letters 20 Dates that rate 21 New members 23 Industry action ADDvantage February 1994
The ho11se that Monica, Jim, I, Michael, Andre,_Chris, and Gabnela built. Year after year, the biggest names in tennis have worked tirelessly to make the Lipton one of the great tennis tournaments in the world. And now, there's a stadium to match. It's a new centerpie·ce -for the sport and for Dade County It's a stadium so thoughtfully designed, not one of the 14,000 seats has an obstructed view And series seats are still available. So now the only way you'll miss any action is if you wait too long to get tickets. The Lipton 1994. March 11·20. ~,t\!U} Calll-800.725-5472 for tickets. Presents
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PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES I LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLII~ES DECECCO I THE MIAMI HERALD I NORTHERN TRUST BANK
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New programs pair members and endorsees to promote tennis and improve industry Tim Heckler, CEO
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state of the 'tennis industry an9 USPTA endorsements have been popular topics in ADDvantage magazine during the last several months. suppose it's true that people often write about those things which are uppermost in their minds. Since USPTA has spent considerable effort to increase tennis particpation through its sports marketing programs and endorsee relationships, it seems only natural that we should communicate these issues to you .
. . . US PTA has spent considerable effort to increase tennis participation through its sports marketing programs and endorsee relationships . .. n 1993, there was a decline, which concerned those in tennis-related businesses, unlike any our industry has experienced in recent years. The nation's manufpcturers were hit hardest, although I'm sure many of you felt the effects of this decline in your own
businesses in one way or another. Despite the downturn in business and tennis activity, last year was very busy, but in a different way. Many industry groups began developing strategies to improve the tennis economy and attract more players to the sport. It's during times like these that you really appreciate those who support the industry and specifically your own company, and guess that's why we have stressed the importance of our endorsees. The support we receive from Penn, Wilson and Asahi allows us to provide the many member services and programs you now expect. Activities such as USPTA's Across America Tennis Day, the Adult Tennis League, the Continuing Education Program and public relations campaign are possible in part because of the financial support of our national endorsees. Without this assistance, USPTA would not be able to offer more than 300 days of educational programs or invest the time and effort into promoting the image of our Association and each member professional. Later this year, USPTA will unveil a very exciting junior development program . It will benefit our members through increased business from children and their parents, and will provide professionals with a comprehensive guide to lessons, activities and equipment sales. And , once again , all of this will be possible because of our relationships with our endorsees and our joint commitment to improving the tennis industry.
The people who represent our endorsees are dedicated business professionals who are working to make tennis Qrow at all levels. The tennis industry needs more people who work for the betterment of all segments of the industry, since no one group can succeed without the active participation of all others. All new tennis programs should be designed to encourage more participation , particularly among new players. If we are successful in achieving this goal, we not only will improve the professional well-being of our members, but also the net worth of the endorsees who support us.
It's during times like these that you really appreciate those who support the industry. I encourage you to follow the association's notices in AOOvantage magazine during the course of the year and become an active partner in all of the programs and promotions established for your benefit. USPTA has the most valuable network for reach ng the grassroots players and teachers, and we should use it effectively to improve the entire industry. o ADDvantage February 1994
3
It's time to show off our figure. e
TENNIS WEEK is read first; before TENNIS magazine and TENNIS USTA.
•
TENNIS WEEK comes out first before TENNIS magazine and TENNIS USTA. (no need to wait two months after Wimbledon to read about it).
e
TENNIS WEEK is relied on first for the sport's behind the scenes political and business news.
Maintaining our figure is no sweat.
$40 per year • 20 issues Canada & Mexico • $50 Foreign • $125 124 East 40th Street, Suite 1101, New York, NY 10016 (212) 808-4750, Toll Free 1-800-800-TENN
Club managers consider many ski11s when hiring tennis pros Dave Sivertson First Vice President I n November, sent a survey to 260 club managers in Texas requesting information about what club managers look for when hiring a teaching professional The 50 managers who returned the survey were given 16 areas to consider and rated those areas from one to five, based on what they desire in a tennis professional The 10 areas listed here represent the results of the survey.
Honesty and excellence in teachers Leading the pack, managers selected these two arâ‚Ź~as as most important. Both qualities scored the exact number of points to tie for the No. 1 position. Managers look for a professional they can trust. A pro's level of honesty and integrity is essential to the success he or she has at the club. Additionally, a high percentage of a pro's time is spent teaching, which explains why managers selected this area as a top priority. Being a good instructor involves not only understanding the technical aspects of the game, but also .communication, progressions, caring and a host of other areas. People skills Ranking third is the ability to communicate, manage and handle people. These skills are important whether the pro is teaching, selling items in the pro shop, delegating duties to staff or participating in a tennis committee meeting. The ability to get the most out of people is a great asset and one that managers want in a professional. Programming - Keeping members involved and active are keys to a healthy tennis membership. Each month members pay their bills and make a value judgment based on their experiences. Those people
who utilize the club are more likely to continue as members, so programming is a direct link to maintaining a stable and happy membership. Track member usage and discover ways to get members to come to the club. Club managers think this is important to their success and to the professional 's success. Personality- Being a likable person ranked No. 5 in the survey. Do members go out of their way to see the tennis professional? Is the pro able to give them new information, tips on their game, or praise about their children? A pro's personality is the main reason members buy from the pro, whether it's lessons, merchandise or programs. Leadership - The survey showed that club managers spend an average of 6 percent of their time on tennis. This means that a manager needs a tennis professional with leadership skills. Having the ability to make decisions is important to the manager, but this is only the start in developing good leadership skills. Research and develop the necessary skills to become a good leader. Appearance - A professional appearance and grooming is very important to a tennis professional Does the pro look like a tennis professional? Remember that 80 percent of one's image is perceived visually and what people see generally determines what they think of the dub. A club manager takes this into account and wants a positive image from a tennis professional Self-confidence - Whether it's sports or business, every successful person has a strong degree of self-confidence. As the director of a club's tennis prog ram , it's very important for a professional to believe in
oneself and project that to others. Knowledge of the tennis industry Club managers feel it's important for a professional to stay current in the industry. This is accomplished by attending USPTA meetings, reading tennis industry magazines, and talking to manufacturers, representatives and other pros. Business skills- The final qualification to make the top 10 list included general business skills. The ability to direct a club's facilities may nvolve scheduling lessons, operating a pro shop, developing creative programs, hiring and training staff, and maintenance of courts and grounds. To do this successfully demands a knowledge of business skills. If a professional doesn't have these skills, he or she should find and hire someone with experience to teach the skills. Surprisingly enough, being a good player not only didn't make the top 10 list of qualifications, but placed dead last of all areas suggested to managers. Some other areas that were not important to club managers included retail experience, personnel hiring skills, court maintenance/construction knowledge, and first aid/CPR certification . By looking at this list and comparing it with the time allocated to tennis by managers, it's evident that an employer wants to hire someone who can do it all. For the tennis professional , that may be great news. The independence that this type of arrangement creates allows a tennis professional to run his or her own show and department. This is true only if you are skilled in all of the areas just mentioned. o ADDvantage February 1994
5
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1948
The Wilson® Jack Kramer Autograph
The Jack Kramer utilized all Ash laminated construction and became the most popular racquet of the 50's.
1967 i:~o~ilson® The T2000 ushered in the era of metal racquets. It was perhaps best known as the racqu et used by tennis professional Jimmy Connors.
1984
The Wilson® ProS taft®
The ProStaff was the first to utilize a unique braided graphite and Kevlru.® construction and has long been a favorite of touri:n,g professionals. Amazingly it has helped a tennis professional win a grand slam event every yeru· since its introduction.
The USPTA welcomes the improving people~s tennis Just as Wilson®has created mnovative racquets to rmprove the game of tenms for over 80 years, the teachmg professiOnals of the Umted States Professwnal Tenms Association (USPTA)®have illtroduced millions of people to the game for almost as long. Now, these two forces have come together to brillg you the best temus learmng tools ill the illdustry. The USPTA®IS pleased to annotmce our endorsement of Wilson tenms racquets, strillgs, bags gnps, mr. peeWee and accessones as our first chmce ill tenms equrpment.
I
Made to Win and Sledge l-lanuner are trademarks and Dual Taper Beam. ProSraff. \V and Wilson are registered trademark of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Kevlar is a trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemotu·s and Company
m 1987
The Wilson® Profile®
The racquet that began the widebody revolution. The patented Dual Taper Beam® construction created a stiffer racquet that produced incredible power and the largest sweet spot to elate.
w 1990
The Wilson® Hanuner
The Hammer revolutionized the tennis industry by introducing a pa,tented weight distribution system that created the first lightweight racquet that maintained its mass in the racquet head. The result--an even larger sweet spot.
1D 1993
The Wilson® Sledge Hanuner™
The Sledge Hammer took the Hammer weighting system one step fmther This racquet is lighter than any previous racquet, weighing just 9.2 oz strung. The weight clistribution. fan string pattern and head shape raises the sweet spot to the upper part of the frame where most balls are hit.
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only organization that~s been game longer than we have. This means that your local US PTA®certified tennis professiOnal that uses these Wilson products ill his tenms programs will be teaching the game with the best equipment ill the industry. With Wilson and the USPTA® together, we'll help to make your tenms game ft.m again.
mif6mt® MADE TO WIN
Profile is a u·ademark of Herman's Sporting Goods. Inc. USPTAIs a tTadcmark of the United States Professional Tennis Association. InC'.
Super Show brings thousands to Atlanta T e Super Show/94, scheduled for Feb. 4-7 in Atlanta, will bring thousands of buyers into the city for the world's biggest and most product-filled show. Featuring more than 8,000 exhibit booths and 2,800 companies, it offers a sampling of products from many sporting events. The Super Show/94, which is open to trade personnel only, also features more than 180 sports celebrities, numerous business seminars, fashion shows and demonstrations throughout the four days. The 1993 show attra6ted nearly 96,000 people during the four-day show. Exhibitors will be grouped into 17 shows in the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome and the lnforum/Apparel Mart. The shows include The Fitness Show, The Outdoor Sports Show, The Team Spo'rts Show, The Tennis Show, The Trading Cards and Collectible Products Show, and The Trophies and Awards Show. Tennis enthusiasts will be excited to learn that Feb. 6 is Tennis Day at The Super Show/94, with special events scheduled to highlight the tennis show and its exhibitors. The day kicks off with a special forum by the Tennis Industry Association, where the future of the game will be debated by a panel of industry experts. Penn Racquet Sports also will host a special visitor on Feb. 6 Jimmy Connors will be at the Penn booth from noon to 1 p.m . to talk about the Jimmy Connors tennis ball and the new Champions Tour. Tennis celebrities attending the 1993 show included Jennifer Capriati Michael Chang Chris Evert, Zina Garrison, Tom Gorman , Jack Kramer and MaliVai Washington.
The largest bas relief sculpture in the world is located in Georgia's 3,200-acre Stone Mountain Park, just 16 miles east of Atlanta.
Make sure to stop by the USPTA booths (#24228, 20917K and 20918K), as well as other booths that feature USPTA-endorsed products, including Wilson Racquet Sports (#20008) , Penn Racquet Sports (#3434C) and Asahi (#2723C) .
Educational events There also are many educational events held at The Super Show/94, including USPTA's School of Club Operations, held before the show on Feb. 2-3. The school covers the basics of how to manage a club or tennis facility. Presented by Kurt Kamperman and Mark McMahon , it will include programming that works, keeping the customers happy with good service, runn ing a successful pro shop, instructions on how to buy for the shop, and an overview of shopping at The Super Show. Advance registration is suggested by calling USPTA, (713) 97-USPTA, but limited space is available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. The two-day school is $150 for USPTA members and $225 for nonmembers.
Registration information Registration and admission to The Super Show/94 is handled 8
ADDvantage February 1994
on site and is $25 for all attendees who did not pre-register before the Dec. 6 deadline. Two forms of identification are required for on-site registration . A personalized business card, one form of personal/photo D, a letter of introduction on company letterhead, a federal tax ID number or a state sales tax number are sufficient forms of identification. For more information on The Super Show/ 94, call (800) 327-3736. Travel information may be obtained from The Super Show Travel Center at (800) 843-5177 and hotel information is available from The Super Show Housing Bureau at (800) 955-3803.
Times to see the show The Super Show/94 hours are: Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Dome 9 a.m.-6 Feb. 4 Feb. 5 10 a.m .-6 9 a.m .-6 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 9 a.m.-5
p.m p.m p.m. p.m.
The New Products Show¡ Apparel Mart/ Inforum Feb. 4 Feb. 5 Feb. 6 Feb. 7
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The Tennis Show Map GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER ATLANTA, GEORGIA
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Endorsement of Pro Penn I
n an extreme sense, new ideas introduced during the early days of USPTA's endorsement program received the same sort of opposition that Henry Ford did when he first introduced the 'horseless carriage. When USPTA first endorsed Pro Penn tennis balls back in 1973, the idea of actually imprinting the Association's name on a product was new and disconcerting to some organization leaders. Having our association's name imprinted on a projectile that would be hit from racquet to racquet and bounced against the floor seemed a little sacrilegious to those from the old school who had fought to make the initials stand for quality and tradition. In fact, USPTA's Executive Committee passed the motion to approve the endorsement by only a narrow margin . In those days, Penn as a brand name was not the industry leader it is today. Although few people knew, Penn did produce the leading tennis ball sold under another brand name at the time. Some members voiced concern over linking the Association's name with an
unproven product that could possibly damage the US PTA name. But, the forwardthinking members of the committee obviously had the vision to see a future in which millions of tennis consumers would step up to the service line and read the initials 'U S P T A' on what would become the best ball in the tennis industry the USPTA Pro Penn. Twenty years later this vision has become a reality. The decision to endorse the Pro Penn ball also resulted in a relationship with a company that sets the same high standards for its products as USPTA sets for its own programs and members. As USPTA grew, so did the popularity of the Penn brand, which now enjoys the largest market share. Penn, which started manufacturing balls in 1910, is the largest manufacturer of tennis balls in the world ; USPTA is the world's oldest and largest association of tennis-teaching professionals. Penn Racquet Sports began its tennis ball production as a division of General Tire &
place~
Penn is the official ball for: USTA leagues 1994 Women's Pro Tennis Tournament Association (WPTTA) and year-end U.S. Championships, New York World TeamTennis Grand Slam Sports Group Reebok Hardcourt Tennis Camp Seguso-Bassett Training Center John Newcombe's Tennis Ranch Gary Kesi Tennis Academy Junior events, including Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Easter Bowl Champions Tour (Jimmy Connors) National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Phoenix Challenge League ATP Tour events, including Scottsdale, Atlanta, , Washington, D.C., Newport and Canada Canada's Women's Pro Tournament
Rubber Company, and now is an operating unit of GenCorp Polymer Products, a segment of GenCorp.
Endorsement creates exclusivity for JJSPTA, its members
Gregg Weida, president of Penn Racquet Sports, makes the Penn ball the official ball of Billie Jean King's World TeamTennis.
10
ADDvantage February 1994
While ball sales continue to create price wars at sports megastores, USPTA professionals have access to a product that can help them compete in today's tough economy. It sounds too good to be true, but thanks to Penn and other USPTA endorsees, tennisteaching professionals can offer customers exclusive merchandise that can't be found at giant discount stores. By creating products and services that are sold only in USPTA pro shops, endorsements help sustain the small retailer's business. 'Penn is 110 percent committed to USPTA as an association , and to every USPTA member,' said Gregg Weida, president of Penn Racquet Sports. 'We sincerely appreciate the past support of USPTA members and look to continued growth in the future through Penn's ever-increasing commitment to grassroots programming in
USPfA
•
m consmners' By supporting the use and sale of Pro Penn balls, USPTA members are not only assisting one of their endorsees, but also are guaranteeing themselves a better bottom line in their pro shops.
Penn supports grassroots efforts
USPTA's logo is displayed prominently on the Pro Penn ball can.
the development of new programs tailored to the pro shop market. The Pro Penn ball is sold only at pro shops and allows professionals to make a fair profit margin, since they are not forced to compete with large chains that can buy products in huge quantities and sell them at much lower prices. Penn has maintained its commitment to the pro shop market, refusing to sell the Pro Penn ball to discount or large department stores even though large retailers have asked to purchase the product. Without Penn's assistance, it would be impossible for pro shops to compete with large stores.
Just as USPTA develops and implements grassroots programs to increase the player base, Penn contributes to many programs and events that support tennis at all levels. For four years, Penn has produced a special Pro Penn ball for USPTA's Across America Tennis Day multicultural clinics. The balls, emblazoned with the seal of the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, are used at each multicultural clinic. Additional balls are left at each site so that participants can continue to play throughout the year. These balls have become a collector 's item for many participants in the program . Pro Penn also serves as the official ball of the USPTA National Championships, USPTA Adult Tennis League and Champion of Champions program. The company also supports other cooperative programs held in conjunction with allied or affiliated agencies.
Pro Penn agreement benefits members Aside from providing tennis balls for various events, Penn suppqrts USPTA and its members through endorsement funds for divisions, educational programs, USPTA
hands promotions, tournaments and other member activities. The Pro Penn endorsement provides USPTA members with considerable exposure through ball promotions especially since the ball itself features the USPTA name. The Association also receives promotional support through advertising , press releases and product packaging, which is generated by Penn . USPTA has kept the cost of annual membership low by subsidizing programs and services with funds from Penn and other endorsees. Those same funds also help USPTA and its divisions hold many special events, such as Across America Tennis Day, which increase player participation and the lesson market for our members. The Association's extensive education program is supported largely with endorsement funds. Although USPTA charges fees for courses and activities, th~se fees do not come close to covering the many expenses associated with the Continuing Education Program . Penn contributes balls for on-court activities and courses. The Penn endorsement provides USPTA members with a direct benefit a quarterly discount for Pro Penn tennis balls. Information about this is published in the March, June, September and December issues of ADDvantage magazine. o
Penn's advisory staff The old adage, "You can judge people by the company they keep, " certainly applies to our oldest endorsee, Penn Racquet Sports. This impressive list of advisory staff members belongs to Penn.
USPTA members Ross Case Andy Brandi Cliff Drysdale Roy Emerson Jack Groppel Jim Loehr Mark McMahon Jason Morton Randy Snow Dick Stockton Fred Stolle Gundars Tilmanis
Other staff members Vijay Amritraj Jan Brogan Owen Davidson John Lloyd Bob Llltz Greg Patton Ken Rosewa/1 Sherwood Stewart
From yards of felt to cans of tennis balls, the Pro Penn ball evolves in the Penn production plant.
ADDvantage February 1994
11
Across America Tennis Day USPTA sets goal of 100 multicultuml clinics
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Since turning pro in 1989, MaliVai Washington has risen from 199th to 13th in the ATP world rankings.
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In Malt-Nut, Chocolate, Wild Berry and new Apple-Cinnamon flavors. el1993 rowerfood Inc.
.12
ADDvantage February 1994
SPTA professionals answered the call for volunteers to host Across America Tennis Day multicultural clinics in 1992. Their answer was loud and strong with 51 clinics in 43 cities for more th~n 3,300 people who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to play. Based on that success and on the growing demand for more grassroots efforts from the tennis industry, USPTA plans to expand the multicultural segment of Across America Tennis Day this year to include 100 clinics throughout the nation . With assistance from the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and volunteer tennis-teaching professionals, USPTA is establishing sites from coast to coast for diverse groups of the population with special needs and interests. Each year, our members have shown their tremendous support of the multicultural clinics, Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO, said . 'We have nearly tripled the number of events from 13 in 1990, to 51 in 1993. We anticipate 1994 to be an even greater year.' Last year, multicultural clinics were held for inner-city youth , senior citizens, wheelchair players, American Indians, Special Olympics competitors and many more. Pam Shriver, 1993 honorary co-chair, gave a special clinic at the White House for Hispanic youth . The event marked the third year that multicultural clinics reached the nation's capital. Generous support from the tennis industry has helped USPTA's Across America Tennis Day reach new heights. Manufacturers donated racquets and string for the multicultural clinics and are offering assistance again. Each year, Penn Racquet Sports has provided special Pro Penn tennis balls emblazoned with the seal of the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. All tennis teachers, both USPTA members and nonmembers, are urged to get involved in this effort to reach people and unite them in tennis. Professionals are encouraged to register their events (or participate in existing ones) by returning the registration form on page 14. Across America Tennis Day, now in its fifth year, is a three-phase program designed to revitalize tennis by inspiring new and former players to participate in the sport, promote the game as a means of physical fitness, and advance the tennis-teaching profession. In addition to the multicultural clinics, Across America Tennis Day includes the
Norma Evans of the· Kingsville (Texas) Boys and Girls Club stands with happy club members.
single-day event of free clinics arid roundrobin tournaments on May 14 and a fiveweek, follow-up program to maintain interest and enthusiasm in the game of tennis. nternational participation n Across America Tennis Day is expected to increase as USPTA invites tennis-teaching organizations around the globe to host their own versions of the program. Among those countries invited are Australia, Czechoslovakia, England, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Spain. 'We hope to coordinate a worldwide effort on behalf of tennis and its professionals on a single day to promote unity among the global tennis community," Heckler said . For more information on Across America Tennis Day, including the multicultural clinics, contact the World Headquarters at (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782). The March issue of ADOvantage will feature activity guidelines, promotional tips and more information on how to coordinate clinics. o
Look for the Across America Tennis Day program guide in the March issue of ADDvantage magazine.
Chapter 5
The challenge
of communication ~'
by Spike Gonzales
0
There probably is no greater ongoing challenge than that of communication. Humans are individual "perception machines" with differing emotional makeups, backgrounds, cultures, and sensory and understanding skills. Nothing could be harder than to try to commonly share perceptions of reality When communication is effective, it can improve one's personal productivity and success; when inadequate, it wastes or misuses time and results in lost opportunities The following are examples of inadequate communication •
the seconds wasted dozens of times a day because students or employees just don't seem to understand the tennis professional's instructions;
•
the many minutes spent explaining guest or refund policies to customers at the club policies the staff was certain everyone knew;
•
the hours of interviewing prospective employees because former ones expected too much or gave too little;
•
the days spent redoing a project because the boss didn't explain it correctly in the first place;
•
•
the months at a job that didn't w9rk out because the club thought junior programming would be for members' children only, and the professional thought he/she would make a real living bringing in non-club members;
4:
the years in a marriage that ended because the priorities of a social life, raising children and spending money were almost the opposite of one's spouse.
~
The most effective time management is communication management. When people think of communication as merely a matter of words, they doom themselves to years of time-consuming misunderstandings and errors. Words are not only inefficient, but no one has a true mastery of the available words. There are at least six obstacles to communication, even in its most elementary form. The following are suggestions to overcome those obstacles. first, the thoughts and words to be communicated should be clearly formulated, then the message should be delivered, along with the related difficulties of punctuation, formatting and body language.
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Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 1994. All rights reserved . Reproduction of any portion of this manual is not permitted
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nication may have selective listening or interpretation. Then the speaker must deal with how that person interprets what he or she heard. Fifthly, that person must respond; and finally, the communicator must try to accurately interpret the substance of the response . In every step along the way, perceptions of reality
become more and more screened or distorted. Effective communication happens only between people with sufficient practice, time and effort to probe each others' minds.
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Communication has three modes When a professional perceives there is a breakdown in understanding, sometimes she can look at the communication process and ask, "Is communication really happening?" Communication has three modes receiving and a switching mode.
expression,
A letter to a friend is an attempt to communicate by expression. Reading that letter puts the other person in the receiving mode. The reciprocation of the letter (acknowledgment and response) is
the switching mode; without which there is no actual communication. The same applies to verbal communication. When speaking, perceptions or feelings should be expressed in a limited amount of time (no more than 15 seconds in normal day-to-day business conversation) and then time should be allowed for the switching mode. Speak, then switch to listening. Listen, then switch to speaking. Communication suffers without an appropriate balance of the expression and receiving modes. Many extraneous obstacles can come into play¡ Attention spans dwindle; frustration sets in at not having the opportunity to talk; or resistance to listening builds due to a biased reaction to words used, body language or even tone of voice. Keep in mind that listening is not just allowing the other person to speak. Too often, people think they are in a listening mode when, instead, they are thinking of what they will say next as the other person speaks. True listening is turning on the receiver mode and trying to understand the words, inflections and body language of the other
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42
person. Impatience to get a point across is usually the biggest enemy of effective communication. Most professionals learn through trial-and-error over years of teaching tennis that teaching is far more effective with a 50--50 ratio of expressing to receiving, instead of a 90-to-10 ratio. Tennis professionals need to know their students' feelings and perceptions to communicate most effectively
About the author ... Spike Gonzales is a consultant to the tennis and squash teaching professions and to club management, and has served as a mentor to dozens in those occupations . Gonzales was instrumen-
Face-to-face is the place Because true communication has the three modes of expressing, receiving and switching, the form with the best chance to succeed is verbal communication which is delivered face-to-face. As long as all parties are willing to express, receive and switch in shared amounts, face-to--face communication allows for maximum efficiency. The communicators may truly parlay their thoughts and perceptions back and forth without the handicap of time delays. This chapter is an attempt to communicate via a written message. The effectiveness of this communication is severely handicapped because the author can't see the reader's level of interest and therefore adjust expressions, timing or intensity to meet the reader's receiving abilities. Any written message, such as this narrative, an office memo or business letter, shares similar handicaps. Written messages are needed for follow-up, historical documentation, and communication when people are not able to be in the same place at the same time; however, they should be avoided whenever face-to-face communication is possible. That communication form offers time efficiency and the ability to read facial expressions, hand movements and body language. These are the things that lend intensity of feeling and varying levels of emotion to true communication. Some researchers say the verbal word usually has less than 20 percent effectiveness in actual communication. When looking through a glass partition at a group or private lesson on an indoor tennis court, one can sense how much communication is happening, even though the words of the instructor or students can't be heard. If the students appear alert and energized, and the instructor is looking at them with feeling and using facial and body gestures, then communica1 tion is occurring. If the students are standing around, looking at the clock, or picking up tennis
tal in building Tennis Corporation of America for more than 20 years, and served as its chief operating officer for five years, overseeing its racquet
Spike Gonzales
sports clubs nationwide. An expert in club operations, his specialty is turning failing facilities into successful operations. Gonzales personally developed the very profitable Mid-Town Tennis Club in Rochester, N.Y. Gonzales has held numerous offices in USPTA and in the World Professional Squash Association. He was instrumental in launching the National Tennis Rating Program (developed by USPTA, USTA and IRSA) and the World Professional Squash Tour.
balls, then probably little communication is happening. The same is true if the instructor is flat-footed, leaning on his ball cart, crossing his legs while sitting and watching, or laboriously picking balls out of his basket as if they weighed as much as bowling balls.
Actions speak louder ... While words are the most obvious communication tool, one should remember that their importance is further diminished in light of the truism, "Actions speak louder than words." A tennis professional's actions, gestures and energy level frequently are crucial factors in developing a rapport with students. A tennis professional's words will be accepted more readily and have more credibility if the pro spends time practicing, playing in tournaments and maintaining good physical condition. Similarly, watching students perform away from the lesson courts, charting their matches and giving them some time off court are actions on which much of a tennis professional's communication depends . Be equally aware of a related saying, which is, "Others judge us by our actions; we judge ourselves by our intentions." Too often, tennis professionals wonder why they have lost credibility in the eyes of others. They intend to get into better shape, go to junior tournaments to see students
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play, work on their own game- but it seems they just don't get around to it. Actions truly speak louder than words, and without these actions actually taking place, the ability to communicate is hampered. As professionals move from the tennis environment into the club structure or business world, it becomes all the more important to exhibit appropriate actions. The credentials of being able to accurately hit a tennis ball or of winning a handful of tournaments no longer carry much weight in a pro's credibility Now, she is measured by whether or not a deadline is met, a commitment is fulfilled, or a budget is adhered to .
Even when negative comments are necessary because of an associate's poor performance or contrary direction, the communicator must use positive openers.
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Frequently, the most important actions to develop credibility are those which overcome the day-today handicaps that systems impose. People respect those who get things done and don't blame the system. A pro whose shop frequently is out of goods because of late deliveries is sending a message to customers that she doesn't know how to get things done . A pro who doesn't enforce club policies, tournament default times or lesson fees for no-shows loses credibility on many bases of communication. It is very important when dealing with employees to heed actions over words. In this area, every action performed seems to have magnified communication consequences. A supervisor's actions are what determine an employee's behavior If the supervisor frequently is late, he or she will have little success in telling others to be punctual. If he is listless on court, staff pros will not be inspired. If a supervisor is careless with memos, notes and signage, the employees' behavior will reflect the same carelessness. Most importantly, a supervisor should ensure that employees respond correctly and on time to his requests, or the lack of thoroughness will sanction sloppiness and tardiness. Actions speak louder than words!
44
Positive reinforcement A final general rule is that positive reinforcement is far more effective in communication than negative commentary. Good communicators know they have to get the other party to actively "tum on his receiver" in order to effect real communication. This usually is done best with positive, "I like you" comments at first. Communication may be likened to trying to get someone to hop onto a moving train. The engineer knows where the train is going and how fast it is moving. The other person is either inert or moving in some other direction. In order for the communicator (or engineer) to get that person onto his moving train, he needs to catch her attention. Positive, friendly comments accomplish this by capturing the listener's attention and bringing her up to the train's speed so as to jump aboard. Even when negative comments are necessary because of an associate's poor performance or contrary direction, the communicator must use positive openers. No one will "climb aboard the train" after hearing an initial negative comment. In fact, the listener will be more strongly determined to continue in whatever direction he was headed. In order to establish good lines of rapport (ongo-
ing open communication channels), it's additionally important that feedback to associates be continual and always in proximity to the related actions. Positive reinforcement in an annual or six-rrionth review has little effect on rapportbuilding, compared to feedback within hours or days of a crucial event.
Communication in the club The tennis pro's lot in business communications is an exceptionally challenging one. A professional in a club is faced with a boss (or "bosses" in most country clubs), and customers (the members and participants); while head pros also deal with employees. In some professions, it is rare to have contact with two or three different factions on a daily or hourly basis. To help optimize communication in this multifaceted environment, remember these five guidelines: structure communication; tailor and time one's communication to the intended audience, clarify it; use specifics; and probe and analyze.
Establishing a schedule with each club business associate will ensure that everyone keeps in touch with each other It can be common to not even see the fitness director or food and beverage manager for weeks; and gaps of understanding and rapport can develop. If there is nothing important to meet about, the pro should touch base with the other person to cancel, or meet for five minutes to update each other
Tailor and time A second guideline to effective communication is to tailor and time one s communication to the inBefore meeting with co-workers, prepare an agenda of what tended audience When will be discussed. these two "T's" aren't taken into account, the effectiveStructure communication ness of the message can be diminished or even Structure communication wherever possible. The counteracted. For example, asking for a raise at a boss, club manager, department heads and the Christmas party is an outstanding way to hurt tennis committee chair are extremely busy people one's cause. who probably attained their positions by being high achievers and becoming accustomed to frenetic work lives. These people are crucial to one's :success, but may be far removed from the tennis department. So in dealing with them, the pro is threatened by the possibility of being more of an aggravation than an ally. This can be avoided by structuring communication with each person. Weekly or biweekly meetings with each important associate should be established. This allows for quality time with one's associates- time when they're prepared psychologically to listen and express themselves particularly if one is punctual and prepared. A good preparation method is to keep an ongoing agenda in an appointment book of appropriate subjects to discuss, such as the nonurgent aspects of weekly operations and planning. There occasionally will be emergencies when an associate's time and attention is needed, nonetheless; but credibility and rapport will be lost if these are frequent or caused by the pro's own inability to plan.
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The best time and the best tailoring should be considered for whatever the message. Business correspondence should be succinct, factual and punctual, as the businessperson will not be receptive to idle chit-chat. Club newsletter articles should be short and entertaining - not opportunities to show off academic prowess - and should be accompanied by photos because they catch people's attention. When announcing a club program, it is crucial to choose the right medium. Posters on the club bulletin board will get the interest of members who use the facility often, but a mailing would be better to reach those who do not use the club regularly Announcements also should be timely¡ Busy people need at least a month to adjust their schedules for a weekly lesson series, but less time is needed to attract people to a Friday night mixed-doubles party The timing of a promotion also should be considered. Announcing a club program just prior to the busy December holiday season will have one-fifth the results of an announcement after Jan. 1 45
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Announcing kids' summer camps a week before school ends for summer vacation also will greatly miss the target.
Clarify An important, but underused, principle in many
business environments is that of upward clarification. Too often it's assumed when an assignment is given or an agreement is readied between a boss and a subordinate, that it is the boss's responsibility to be sure the communication is clearly understood. Nothing could be further from the truth, and with the tennis pro who has many bosses (club manager, tennis committee and the members), this needs to be doubly emphasized. When communication exists between a manager and subordinate, the most workable situation is for the subordinate to be sure the message is clearly understood. First, it is the subordinate's job at stake. Secondly, in usual business structures each subordinate has one principal boss, while each boss may have a half-dozen or more subordinates.
Finally, only the subordinate has first-hand knowledge of his job and day-to-day tasks, and knows if he is capable of fulfilling a request or agreement. For instance, if a member asks a tennis professional to coach her child, the pro should be sure that he and the member agree on what "coaching" is. The member may expect the coach to travel to tournaments and give tips between sets. The professional may feel that coaching is running a training program on his own site with a group of other juniors - something that fits into the established weekly schedule. Without caution to ensure the agreement is mutually understood, the member's satisfaction (and the professional's job) may be at stake.
Use specifics People with busy and continually bombarded lives can succumb more easily to superficial or meaningless communication. The more one succumbs to nonarticulated utterances and expressions with little reference value, the less likely one is to develop communication skills or credibility
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Useless and nondescript terms must be recognized and weeded out when writing or speaking. The statement, 'Take the racquet back like this," borders on "garbage communication." Even if one demonstrates, the term, "like this" is a nonspecific statement that could lead a student astray or into the dark. The student doesn't know if "like this" refers to the timing or speed of the motion, the angle or the height of the racquet, or the firmness or position of the grip. Teachers who are good communicators not only demonstrate, but verbally articulate what they want their students to understand: "Swing your arm away from the net so the racquet head points
to the backdrop behind you, and the butt of the handle drops below your hip," is a start toward communication with specific references. It is equally important to be an effective communicator by using specifics and reference points in the business aspects of a professional's job. It means nothing to tell the club manager, 'Things are fine ." The manager would rather hear "Nine more members are in group lessons this session," and "I've fixed the broken net straps." Similarly, a note on the restaurant manager's desk stating, 'We'll need refreshments for Friday night's mixed-doubles party," means nothing compared to "Can we have chicken wings, beer and soda for 12 couples Friday night at 8 p .m.?"
Probe and analyze A final guideline to communicating is to seek depth in one's understanding. In the complex and dynamic environment of the tennis profession, real communication frequently requires going beneath the surface to find the hidden meaning behind another's statements or actions.
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The first rule of thumb to developing in-depth understanding is to learn to ask open-ended questions. These are questions which cannot be answe,red "yes" or "no," or in single words or phrases. The questions usually begin with such words as "how," "what," or "why," or they are phrased as directives, which require contrast or comparison on the part of the respondent. "Did you like the round robin?" usually will elicit a polite, perfunctory and expected reply It provides for much less communication than "How did the round robin compare to last week's format?" or, "What were the
It is best to ask questions which cannot be answered 'yes" or uno." 47
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things you liked best about today's round robin?"
showing favoritism to another student.
The adept communicator learns to get detail and thought back from an inquiry
All these could lead to the unconscious conclusion that the lessons cost too much in money or time. A skilled communicator may be able to analyze or help analyze the problem, and perhaps retain a student or future player
The second rule is to analyze whenever there is a disagreement or misunderstanding - avoid simply accepting conflict at its face value. There are two ingredients that cause a sense of conflict, whether it be within a person, or between two people. These ingredients are the expectations and perceptions. When expectations are not met by the perception of something, then conflict arises .
Being sensitive to the challenges of communication will do much to increase one's effectiveness as a communicator and success as a tennis professional. Putting effort into improving communication skills will reap benefits, not only for the communicator, but especially for one's students, members and staff.
When a tennis student wants to quit a series of group lessons, she may say the lessons cost too much, or she doesn't have time to take the lessons. To accept these statements at their face value would be superficia1 on the tennis prpfessional's part. After all, the student knew the price and the lesson. schedule before registering. If the student is asked what her expectations of the group series were, it may be that she thought there would be no more than three people on the court, or more attention to strategy, or more video analysis That's when communication begins.
The student's perceptions may have been hampered or misled. Perhaps she had a bad day at the office and perceived that the teacher was demanding too much of her. She may have perceived that progress wasn't being made, whereupon the teacher could point out serving or rally statistics which prove the contrary Or the student may have perceived that the teacher was
Sensitivity to good communication wiU make a tennis professional more effective and successful.
Teams from Texas tangle in USPrA League championships
E r the second year, .players gathered from all corners of Texas to battle in the USPTA Adult Tennis League State Championships. The event, held Jan. 14-16 in Houston, saw tennis teams from Corpus Christi and Abilene take the women's and men's titles, respectively. More than 280 players from eight Texas cities competed in the tournament. 'I loved playing in the tournament, said Lenore Koester of Corpus Christi. It was great competition , wonderful tennis, and really enjoyed meeting all of the competitors from around the state. The event, held at three Houston tennis clubs, also attracted teams from Houston, Tyler, Fort Worth , Kerrville, Austin and Beaumont. Tournament co-director Ron Woods of Corpus Christi received many positive comments about the weekend event. It wel)t very well , Woods said . 'The facilities were first-rate. People loved the format of the state championships." Woods, regional
Ron Woods (1), congratulates Abilen~ men's team captain David Davis on his team's hardfought victory.
vice president and divisional league coordinator for USPTA's Texas Division, organized the event with the help of league Area Directors and local pros. Other tournament co-directors were Loyce Woods of Corpus Christi and JoAnn Padgett of Austin . Corpus Christi 's men's team earned second-place honors in the tournament, with Tyler finishing third . Tyler's women's team won second place, while Abilene finished third. David Davis, Abilene Area Director and head professional at the Rose Park Tennis Center, commented on the tournament's strong level of competition . 'Our team played a little bit tentatively early on, but picked up more and more steam as the tournament went on , he said. 'The competition was very good it really made us rise to a higher level of play.' The tournament format matched squads comprising 16 players each (eight doubles teams) at comparable National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) levels. Round-robin play determined the winning squad . Patty Coffey, a member of the Fort Worth women's team, noted camaraderie and competitiveness as primary reasons for the event's success. 'This year, we started our own team at our club and were fortunate enough to make it to the state championships, said Coffey, president of the Pecan Plantation Tennis Association in Grandbury. The USPTA Adult Tennis League, one of the USPTA's most exciting sports marketing programs, provides club players with a unique playing opportunity, while enhancing a pro's public image, and offering a pro the opportunity to make money. The league consists of four to eight squads representing local clubs and organizations with access to tennis facilities. Within each squad , two doubles teams play at four different NTRP levels, which allow both beginners and experienced players to earn
points for the same squad . League play runs from July through December of each year. Tennis professionals may select from a variety of doubles formats to best meet their needs. USPTA designed its league to create friendly rivalry and provide physical exercise for many club-level players, said Tim Heckler, USPTA's CEO. 'Texas has some of the country's strongest USPTA Adult Tennis Leagues, but the format works well in any area of the country.'
'The competition was very good -
it really
made us rise to a hig~er level of play." -David Davis, Abilene captain The popularity and growth of the USPTA Adult Tennis League relies on the communication efforts of Area Directors and Site Directors. Area Directors, USPTA professionals who coordinate leagues in specific locations, use their networking abilities and promotional talents to establish leagues within clubs and tennis facilities. Site Directors enlist players, collect fees and reserve court space for league competition . Once the league begins, Site Directors may focus their attention on money-making projects, such as team clinics, practices or lessons. Professionals are invited to create USPTA tennis leagues at facilities across the country. The advantages of running a league affect the club's teaching staff pro shop, management and , most importantly, club members. For more information, or to start a USPTA Adult Tennis League, contact the USPTA National League Office at (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782) . {P ADDvantage February 1994
13
USPT A'S ACROSS AMERICA
~
TENNISDAY
MAY 14,1994
WHAT IS IT?
WHERE WILL IT BE HELD?
MULTICULTURAL CLINICS:
USPTA s Across America Tennis Day is a nationwide grassroots tennis event sponsored by USPT A and held in three phases.
At clubs and pub I ic faci Iities across the nation
This phase is held in conjunction with the President's Council of Physical Fitness & Sports to introduce to the sport those people not usually associated with tennis. These events are organized to promote the benefits of a physically fit and drug-free lifestyle. Anyone interested in hosting an event should contact the Sports Marketing Department at the USPTA World Headquarters.
Is IT LIMITED TO USPT A PROS?
No. Any teaching professional is eligible to host activities at his or her faci ity
WHEN IS IT?
Across America Tennis Day s on Saturday, May 14 but multicultural clinics w I be held before and after May 14 at more than 50 different sites throughout the country There also is a follow-up pha ~e of clinics.
(713) 97-USPT A.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES?
To stimulate interest in tennis as a participation sport and as a means of maintaining physical fitness. New existing and former players of the game are targeted in order to have millions of tennis bal s played simultaneously across the country on May 14.
Each facility wi offer a free, basic tennis clinic, followed by a social roundrobin competition The size and scope of the activities will be determined by the participating pros An out I ine of suggested activities and promotional tips wi II be featured in ADDvantage magazine in March.
HOW DO I REGISTER MY FACILITY?
Simply fill out the registration form, or cal USPT A World Headquarters at
FOLLOW- UP PROGRAM:
This important final phase can be used to extend the participation of pupils in the one-day clinic t.o five additional weeks through an organized lesson and league play program. Join your fellow USPTA pros for one of the largest grassroots events i~ tennis. For details on USPTA's Across America Tenni s Day call the USPTA Sports Marketing Department at the USPTA World Headquarters.
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Registration Form
Please register your event for division participation points by returning this registration form. Yes, I wil participate in USPTA s Across America Tennis Day as a/an
0
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assistant
Name--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~---------USPTA member
0
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0
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Member number ____________ Division
Club/facility _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Street address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City
State _________ Zip ___________ Phone _________________ (daytime)
My clinidsocial wil be open to :
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members only Cal USPT A with questions: (713) 97-USPTA
Location of event Club/faci ity _________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ Street address City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ State Zip
Phone
The following people will assist at my event. USPTA member USPTA member
0 0
yes yes
0 0
no
Member number
no
Member number
Please use additional sheets if necessary Send to: USPTA World Headquarters, One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042 14
ADDvantage February 1994
Education program enters new grading period, initiates changes Members may earn points more quickly in the new grading period of the Continuing Education Program, as credits have been increased for some courses, while the credit requirement remains the same. Other changes, which will become effective March 1 include a $15 charge per book or video review to cover the increased expenses associated with copying, mailing, grading and processing the results. The program entered the second, threeyear grading period on Jan. 1 and will extend through Dec. 31 1996. The new period requires certified professionals to earn the same number of credits nine as did
the first grading period ; however, the following courses or events saw a boost in points, effective Jan. 1
• Specialty Course, eight hours - now 4 credits • Specialty Course, four hours - 2 credits • USPTA Schools of Teaching - 8 credits • Tennis Teachers' Course - 4 credits per day (offered in one-, two-, or threeday modules) • USPTA National Convention - 9 credits
J..l~'l"l'J~Il~ Tex will be missed Dear USPTA. I want to thank you for your CEO 's message about the loss of Tex Schwab. It was my pleasure to have known Tex and his lovely wife Barbara for 45 years. I first met Tex at the 7th Regiment Tennis Club, Ne.w York City, where we were both membe ~s. Tex installed a tennis court for me at a local center and he appeared several times on a Vision Cable Show I had on tennis. His topics 'How to Install an Indoor Tennis Court, and one of his best loves, 'Tennis Trips to Jamaica. A person hasn't lived until they have received one of Tex's feisty letters! Although didn't agree with some of Tex's thoughts and ideas, must say Tex was sincere, a man of action, and a person who would give you help if needed! Now that approach my 40th year as a USPTA pro, there are three former presidents of the USPTA that had so much to do with my tennis Tex, my tennis pro George Seewagen, and (one of) the founder(s) of the USPTA, George Agutter. I worked as George Agutter's assistant pro at the West Side Tennis Club, Queens, NY before he retired and I became head pro at other country clubs. Tennis is going to miss Tex; we're all going to miss Tex. Si dcerely, Dick Thompson, USPTA Fort Lee, N.J.
The charge for book and video reviews will be enacted because of a dramatic increase in the number of requests,which have resulted in much higher administrative costs than originally anticipated. Because of the demand, members should allow six to eight weeks for grading of their work, and they are reminded to keep a photocopy of each completed book and video review sent to the World Headquarters. USPTA appreciates its members' participation in the Continuing Education Program, and is responding to all requests as quickly as possible. For more information, call the USPTA Education Department, (713) 97-USPTA. <3
Former champ dies
Dear USPTA. read your article on Tex in the latest issue of our magazine (November, 1993). It was very well done indeed. The saying is that 'life goes on' as it certainly does but in the big picture, Tex did a lot with his life, and especially for the USPTA. It is good that some people understand that without the pioneers, one would not have what one has today. Sincerely, Ed Serues, USPTA Naples, Fla.
Education system a plus Dear USPTA. attended a course in Israel given by Patricio Gonzales and Brett Hobden on System 5, Oct. 3-5, 1993. Living in Israel makes it difficult for me to attend .many accreditation courses, and I do my best to attend one whenever can . Last year organized my trip to the United States to coincide with the Sports Science Seminar held at Saddlebrook wit~ Dr. Jim Loehr and Dr. Jack Groppel really compliment you on your education system it is a very big plus for the future of the USPTA professionals. Yours sincerely, Allan D. Weisman, USPTA Israel
Gene Garrett, Ph.D. a USPTA member for 40 years, died Oct. 17 1993, of complications from diabetes. Garrett of San Diego was a former college professor and world-ranked tennis champion . In 1943, Garrett won the Dudley Interscholastic Tennis Championship of Southern California, retiring the trophy for San Diego High. While there, he ranked fourth nationally in junior tennis. At the University of California at Los Angeles, he won the NCAA Doubles Championship. From 1947 to 1958, Garrett competed on the men's circuit and played most major championships, including the U.S. French Italian and Wimbledon . At one time, he was ranked 13th in the world . After turning pro, Garrett won the eastern Pro Championship, defeating Bobby Riggs in the finals. Garrett held a doctorate in philosophy from Columbia University, and taught that subject for more than 20 years. Because of diabetes, Garrett was unable to play tennis much in the last several years, however, his interest in tennis and the USPTA never abated. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his mother, Bertie Garrett of Chula Vista; his three children, Gerald, Helen and Daniel, and two stepchildren, Vikki and Lance Lareau of Point Loma.
ADDvantage February 1994
15
presents
emorative Collection ots of the game¡s greatest players sets of five postcards each. All proceeds benefit The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. Please make check for $16.95 payable to: The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, Inc., and mail to: TENNIS magazine Postcard Collection, 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull, Conn. 06611-0395.
Tennis and Tea with Lipton • IS a USPTA tradition ~e
members of USPTA have helped to make The Lipton Championships more successful every year. USPTA professionals competing in the International Tennis Teachers Championships provided tournament visitors with fast-paced , on-court action . n addition , USPTA sponsored educational events ¡at the tournament site as part of its efforts to help members with their professional development. With the construction of the new stadium and additional court requirements of the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour Players Association , court space is limited and the USPTA championship wi ll not be held in conjunction with The Lipton this year. However, USPTA will 90ntinue to support The Lipton through cooperative activities, such as USPTA Day during the quarterfinal round of th e tournament on stadium court, and Tennis and Tea with Lipton events hosted by our members. USPTA always has had a very positive relationship with The Lipton , Will Haag, USPTA vice president and chairman of the Tournament Committee, said .
'In the tournament 's early stages, we actually helped build it with the participation of our members in various.tournament-related events, he said. 'Although court requirements prevent us from having a USPTA tournament, we want to show our support by assisting with clinics, ticket sales and USPTA Day. Here's how to get involved : Organize a social event at your club, such as a round robin , a clinic or a social mi xed doubles. 2. Establish an area in the club where members and their guests can view the finals of The Lipton following your Tennis and Tea with Lipton event. If this is not possible, arrange for a location where everyone can watch the tournament. 3. Complete the registration form to establish your commitment to the USPTA!The Lipton Championship Tennis and Tea with Lipton. Return the completed form to the USPTA World Headquarters to register your event.
The Lipton Championships, scheduled March 14-20, will be televised on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern time. ABC will broadcast the women's finals, 1-3 p.m. Eastern time, March 19, and the men's finals, 4-6 p.m . Eastern time, March 20. After registration forms have been processed , USPTA pros hosting Tennis and Tea with Lipton events will receive official certificates for display in their clubs. Tennis and Tea with Lipton is just one of the many ways that USPTA and its professionals promote tennis at the grassroots and encourage recreational players to participate in organized play. The cooperative efforts of USPTA and The Lipton Championships help boost both organizations' images, as well as the tennis-teaching professional 's image in his or her community. Support The Lipton Championships and USPTA by hosting a Tennis and Tea with Lipton event. For more information , contact the USPTA Sports Marketing Department at (713) 97-USPTA (978-7782). ~
USPTA/THE LIPTON CHAM PIONSHIPS TENNIS AND TEA WITH LIPTON Return to: USPTA World Headquarters, One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042
D Yes!
plan to organize a Tennis and Tea with Lipton event.
Tennis facility/address ____________________________________ City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ State ___________ Zip _ _ _ _ __ Event coordinator _________________ _ _ Telephone (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Signature _________________~-----------------------US PTA professionals participating _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Type of event held - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Number of p a r t i c i p a n t s : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - t
Tournament viewing
D Yes
D No ADDvantage February 1994
17
SUPREME COURT® The tour's professionals have -well over one hundred m.illion reasons for playing on and enjoying Suprem.e Court.* Here are ten compelling reasons for you to play and enjoy Supreme Court, Indoors or Outdoors
El Fast Installation. Supreme Court can usually be installed in three days or less, and without the need for heavy equipment, which could damage surrounding landscape. D Cushioned surface.
Step onto Supreme and feel the cushion. Its cushion is your protection against the wear and tear your body experiences on other surfaces. Enjoy the comfort without sweeping , rolling or watering.
fl Traction. You get to more balls on Supreme because your first few steps are quicker The reason? Firm footing. On a "sliding" surface, your first steps are slower and you can 't change directions quickly Traction is an essential ingredient for all styles of play
El Court Speed. Supreme can be manufactured to your choice of court speeds, but most players prefer "medium" Tour officials describe medium Supreme as "not too fast and not too slow a surface that rewards a good shot" C Playing Characteristics. Supreme Court combines the best elements of hard courts, clay courts, and grass. The bounce is true (hard courts) , dropshots are effective (grass) , and spins are rewarded (clay courts). With Supreme Court, you get the best of three surfaces in one!
[) Indoors or Outdoors. Indoors, Supreme Court is the ultimate in comfort and prestige . Outdoor Supreme·· is an all-weather surface that sheds rainwater quickly and stands up to harsh sunlight, snow and changes in temperature .
i.J Durability. Supreme Courts are tough. Court owners that have already enjoyed over a decade of play will attest to Supreme's longevity
I!J Cracked Courts. Cracks can 't be effectively painted over With Supreme Court, you get an entirely new surface that covers cracks completely and Supreme won 't crack, peel , or delaminate ever!
Ill Experience. Supreme Court has over 17 years of innovation and experience. It's the proven winner IE Prestige. There's something about playing the best. Supreme Court. The surface of over 400 professional events. When you play Supreme Court, you play the "surface of the tour's professionals" * Total prize money played for on Supreme Court is well over 100 million dollars **Patent pending
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Fax 404/386-7115
The New Courtsider x~: It produces 40°/o more light.
Imagine that times eight! Whether your plans call for six lights, eight lights or more each new COURTSIDER XL produces 40% more light This amazing increase in performance is due to newly designed reflector technology from Courtsider Sports Lighting With a 40% increase in light output the COURTSIDER XL outperforms any other tennis lighting system available. The COURTSIDER XL also enhances the appearance of your court The corners of the housing are rounded to create a soft profile and the system is
available in seven different powder-coated colors to blend into your court environment Courtsider Sports Lighting also offers lighting for indoor tennis, racquetball, squash, hockey and other recreational areas. The next time you have to choose tennis court lighting choose the COURTSIDER XL. It produces the most light reduces glare and light spillage and it looks good Imagine all that times eight!
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10000 Alliance Road PO Box 42728 Cincinnati Ohio 45242 800-794-3448 Fax 800-245-0147
Exams, upgrades and Certification Training Courses Each date includes an exam, upgrade and CTC unless otherwise noted. Feb. 18-19 Fountain valley, Calif. Feb. 19-20 Palm Beach, Fla. Feb. 20-21 New Orleans, La. Feb. 26 Columbus, Ohio (no CTC) Feb. 26-27 Aiken, S.C. Feb. 26-27 Carrollton, Ga. Feb. 26-27 Lake Wylie, S.C. Feb. 26-27 Murrieta, Calif. Feb. 26-27 Rochester, N.Y. Feb. 27 Oahu, Hawaii (upgrade only) March 3 Flushing, N.Y. (no CTC) March 4 Tulsa, Okla. (upgrade only) March 5-6 Malibu, Calif. March 5-6 Cleveland, Ohio March 6-7 Mclean, va. March 20-21 Hershey, Pa. ¡ March 26-27 Boca Raton, Fla. March 26-27 Salem, Ore. March 27-28 Murrieta, Calif. April 1-2 Bloomington, Minn. April 6-7 Steamboat Springs, Colo. April 10-11 Marietta, Ga. April 11-12 Santa Rosa, Calif. April 14 Freeport, NY (no CTC) April 15-16 Gastonia, N.C. April 16-17 Chicago, Ill. April 16-17 Kauai, Hawaii April 17-18 Palm Springs, Calif. April 23-24 Bakersfield, Calif. April 23-24 Boca Raton, Fla. April 24-25 Murrieta, Calif. April 24-25 Tyler, Texas April 25-26 Bronx, N.Y. May 12 Freeport, NY (no CTC) May 12-13 Stratton, Vt. May 13-14 Bradenton, Fla. May 15-16 Murrieta, Calif. May 15-16 Richmond, Va. May 19-20 Tucson, Ariz. May 21-22 Wilmington, Del. May 21-22 Fountain Valley, Calif. May 26 West Orange, N.J. (no CTC) Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly Pending members: late cancellation fee - $75; 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 these cancellation fees are paid.
20
ADDvantage February 1994
Specialty Courses Four-hour courses Feb. 19 Feb. 26 March 5* March 6 March 11-12 March 20 March 27* March 27* April 8* April 8* April 23* April 23* April 24
are denoted by an asterisk(*). All others are eight hours. Advanced Stroke Production Fountain Valley, Calif. 5 Keys to Tennis Columbus, Ohio Drills for All Levels Tulsa, Okla. Club Activity Programming Bethesda, Md. Competitive Singles Patterns Burnsville, Minn. Fitness Training and Periodization Fort Myers, Fla. Competitive Singles Patterns Brookfield, Wis. Competitive Doubles Patterns Brookfield, Wis. Competitive Singles Patterns Santa Rosa, Calif. Competitive Doubles Patterns Santa Rosa, Calif. Stress Management Coral Gables, Fla. Time Management Coral Gables, Fla. Competitive Doubles Patterns Cleveland, Ohio
Conventions Feb. 19-21 Feb. 25-27 Feb. 27-28 March 4-6 March 4-6 April 8-10 April 8-11
California/San Diego Divisions Hawaii Division Midwest Division Mid-Atlantic Division Missouri Valley Division Northern California Division Intermountain Division
rvine, Calif Kahuku, Hawaii Columbus, Ohio Bethesda, Md. Tulsa, Okla. Santa Rosa, Calif Steamboat Springs, Colo.
USPrA Schools of Teaching March 18-20
USPTA Playing School
Seal Beach, Calif.
Division meetings/activities Feb. 21 Feb. 21 Feb. 27 March 14 March 20 March 21 March 26 April 1 April 18 April 23 April 24
Mid-Atlantic Division Mid-Atlantic Division Mid-Atlantic Division Midwest Division Midwest Division Mid-Atlantic Division Midwest Division Northwest Division Mid-Atlantic Division New England Division Midwest Division
Richmond , Va. Virginia Beach , Va. Charleston, W.V. Cleveland, Ohio Homewood, Ill Virginia Beach , Va. Waukesha, Wis. Richfield, Minn. Virginia Beach , Va. Rocky Hill, Conn . Schaumburg, Ill.
Coaches Workshops Feb. 11-12 Feb. 19 Feb. 27-28 March 4 March 25 March 29 April 2 April 24 April 24
Midwest Division Southern Division Midwest Division Eastern Division Midwest Division San Diego Division Northwest Division Eastern Division Midwest Division
Tennis Teachers' Courses March 3-5 May 18-20
Boca Raton , Fla. Fountain Valley, Calif
Indianapolis, Ind. Lexington, Ky. Columbus, Ohio Maywood, N.J. Waukesha, Wis. San Diego, Calif. Eagan, Minn. Bronx, N.Y. Schaumburg, Ill. This schedule is subject to change. For more information, call the USPTA Membership Department at (713) 97-USPTA.
USPTA welcomes new members Congratulations to the following new USPTA members who fulfilled requirements for membership between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 1993.
MEMBER
SPONSOR
CALIFORNIA DIVISION Sean P Brawley Lawrence M Fruhlinger Marc Juteau Justin T Leeds Marc Lerner D. Scott Marz Talya M Moore Pamela K. Smith
B. Hanna H Luttrell B. Feucht A. Lewis C. Lacopo A. Olmedo E. Troll E. Troll
EASTERN DIVISION Jose Luis Calderon Mario A. DiLonardo Thomas Fraioli Gerard Martin Gonsalves Aaron M Pearlman FLORIDA DIVISION Jonathan A. Ball Michael S. Bennett Scott D. Boruszewski Jared Chase Michael R. Clair William A. Clark Jeff F Cohen Tara C. Collins Robert E. Deist James Craig Ferraro Andrew Fletcher Hans Gallauer Mark Stephen Haeckel Cynthia P Harkins Mark K. Harrison Kennetl:l G Hine Brantley W. Holman Dawn E. Jackson Nick David LeGault Teresa M Lopez Brett W. Maynard Marco A. Perez Jacquelyn S. Prescott Enrique Rospigliosi Norman Russell Kimberly M Wertenberger Dennis D. Wright
B. ngersole J. Brandes D. Swartz S. Bailin A. Mitchel R. Walker T Krukiel R. Rieser G. Jones R. Dubins P Mason' H Orlin J. Stiff M Oransky G. Pulver R. Lague G. Maharej H Kimmel T Fernandez M Katz K. McCarthy J. Crowne D. Gross D. Leslie C. LePrevost D. Nyren M Hough M Sniffen L. Martinez K. Sands M Katz G. Alexander
HAWAII DIVISION Eugene McGeehan David Dean Zimmerman INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISION David Holmes Alden Marshall S. Carpenter Adam J. Huch Brent Zimmerman
B. Nagel R. Kop
C. Bailey A. Bock
C. Bailey J. Lacy
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION Rodney Bloom M Assaraf L. Martinez Craig W. G. Campbell Pedro Chacon C. Brooks Horacia G. Guzman P Hernandez Richard Arthur Harrison A. Marshall Anjali Vasant Joshi S. Tyer HuckS. Lim U. Brown
MEMBER
SPONSOR
Joel Napoles Charlton P Rankine Constanza Schaarschmidt
M Cervantes B. lngersole C. Brooks
MIDDLE ATLANTIC DIVISION J. Denoon Richard Daffron Cheadle T Gibbs Robert Hunter Lipscomb Michael A. Mustgrave S. Cutchin MIDDLE STATES DIVISION Edward G. Austin Joseph A. Gorman Daniel W. Hultquist Robert K. McGettigan William Wesley Skinner MIDWEST DIVISION Brennan H Acres Dal Michael Bristow Michael L. Burt Ernest Carter Robert Hugh Chonoles Catherine T CoJarossi Gerald J. Depka George W. Dickerson MarkS. Faber Lee A. Hardman Jeffrey Alan Herr Charles Hord Jr. Robert L. Johnson Juanchit Jose Jr. Dennis K. (Kurt) Kopp Terry M Mickelson Winston D. Morris Lindsey Jayne Nimmo Scott A. Pickrel Ralph Adam Platz Donald J. Schwalm Scott Allen Thompson Christopher Wojtalik
R. Katz C. Raben V. Christian A. Pogonyi A. Dillon
H Foster C. Tiley J. Stassen G. William D. Snyder N Singh C. Tiley J. D. Hopkins T Warrell R. Schroeder H McCartney B. Rubenstein S. Cornehls R. Maggio C. Tiley S. Schultz R. Berger C. Tiley T Warrell G. Gardiner D. Snyder B. Feucht L. Shuck
MISSOURI VALLEY DIVISION S. Yarnell Andrew W. Martin J. R. Warner Leon J. H Motmans J. Hines Robert J. Wenger NEW ENGLAND DIVISION S. Counihan Priscilla J. Choate P Holmes Jeffrey S. Gerhart C. Renfrew C. Eric Kendall R. Martineau Christopher Lorenz Peter D. Mandeau P Parrish D. Baldassari Sarah A. Maneikis NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION Montosh Basnyat J. Gorman Abigail E. Brayton R. Kop Laurie Dalgleish J. A. Shorr Michael F Downs R. Heckelman James B. Drimmer E. Rowe Andres Durandegui J. Matkulak Brett A. Foreman R. Kopp C. Lyons Wade Albert Holiday
MEMBER Isaiah Hulme Grant Jacobs Cheryl E. McVey Christy Pohl Chris R. Potthast Lori Jonas Riffice Alan J. Skelton Bryan W. Solem Todd A. Stanley Myron Udo Gerd Winkler
SPONSOR
C. Bacharach K. Cooper M Rothfels C. Anderson P Cello C. Bacharach M Siegel J. Kelsey P Rutz J. A. Shorr B. Stewart
PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION David W. Andrews B. Sterett Kevin Charles Collier B. Laing James A. Markin G. Amaya Len J. Spencer B. Sterett Linda Alta Williams S. Vaughan SAN DIEGO DIVISION Jose Alejandro Magana Viktoria Milvidskaia Mark W. Segesta Jennifer M. Wilhelm SOUTHEAST ASIA Azman Baharuddin Frank Loi Steven C. C. Poh Stephen Teoh lzham Abdul Wahid SOUTHERN DIVISION David G. Beach Laura G. Christoph Matthew J. Downing J. Rick Jacob Jonathan Lockeretz Marcial. G. Manuel Thomas C. Maze Charles 0 . Shaffer Donna K. Warmack
M Cervantes A. Levie J. Nelson P Larsen D. D. D. D. 0.
Oon Oon Oon Oon Oon
C. Cooper T D. Nichols D. Campbell J. Gray J. T Rebol A. Anastopoulo T Warrell J. C. Meade D. Brimer
SOUTHWEST DIVISION R. Smith Gregory P Baker Thomas Paul Davis L. Cotten J. Refkin Matthew Gleason Laura Hall D. Thies Patrick Lopez E. Anderson Mark Anthony Naprstek T Ovici Gregory A. Prudhomme M Van Zutphen TEXAS DIVISION Beverly Anne Bowes M Christopher Brown Teresa R. Joelson James D. Kohr Jr. Christopher L. Smith Luis R. Valdez
D. Ralston C. Brown D. Crowell B. McGowan P Soliz M Hinson
U.S. TERRITORIES AND CANADA Peter John Figura G. Robitaille Scott J. Potthast B. Watters ADDvantage February 1994
21
Tennis pros rally to 'ace AIDS'
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~e
world's top tennis professionals will compete in the 'Ace AIDS for Arthur' fundraiser hosted by The Lipton Championships on March 10 in Key Biscayne, Fla. The benefit for The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS Inc. and The Community Alliance Against AIDS in Miami will feature challenge matches with top touring pros and pro/celebrity matches. Honorary chairwoman Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe will attend the event. Among the invited players are John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Gabriela Sabatini, Steffi Graf, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Mary Joe Fernandez and ¡ Chris Evert. Matches will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a player/celebrity reception for sponsors and box seat holders. Box seats, which include a ticket to the player/celebrity reception , are $125, and reserved seats are $10. USPTA professionals interested in helping with advance publicity and ticket sales are nvited to contact the Foundation at (212) _922-0096. The mission of The Arthur Ashe Foundation is .to educate the public about AIDS while raising funds to distribute worldwide to established AIDS organizations involved n research, clinical trials, patient care services and education . Since its campaign began in August 1992, the Foundation has had more than 100 booths at tennis events in more than 25 countries around the world, and raised more than $3 million. At the Foundation's booths, thousands of volunteers distribute educational pamphlets on AIDS and collect donations. Additional fund-raising activities include auctions and exhibitions. In addition , USPTA members and players on the men's and women's professional tennis tours are wearing yellow tennis ball patches with red ribbons as a sign of their support for the Foundation and its efforts. ADDvantage runs free advertisements, and television networks around the world are supporting the Foundation by airing special Arthur Ashe Foundation educational spots. For more information on Ace AIDS for Arthur, call Jacqeline Joseph at (212) 922-0096. 0 22
ADDvantage February 1994
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(/)
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If you want to order Foundation patches, coordinate Foundation activities at your local club, or make a contribution, please write to
The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, Inc. 100 Park Avenue (10th Floor) New York, NY 10017 U.S.A. Phone (212) 922-0096 Checks should be made payable to The Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, Inc.
Graphic Design: Courtesy of Lee & Lothian Studio, N~\
USPTA Board nominations • The National Nominating Committee is accepting applications from members who are interested and available to serve on the national USPTA Board of Directors for 1994-95. Applicants must submit a resume and a 250- to 500-word essay outlining their opinions on the goals and directions of USPTA. These materials should be postmarked no later than March 1 and sent to: Ted Meyer 10920 Ramshorn Road Midlothian , Va. 23113
• The International Tennis Teachers Championships, usually held in conjunction with The Lipton Champipnships, will not be held this year. Due to the changes in the Lipton facility and the court requirements of the ATP Tour and the WTA, there was not sufficient court space for the USPTA tournament. • Jeanne Peabody, USPTA professional, has been selected as the recipient of the 1993 Southern Tennis Association's (STA) Volunteer Service Award. The award is presented annually to a volunteer within the Southern Section who has demonstrated outstan ing service to the STA and the sport of tennis for a minimum five-year period . Peabody has volunteered many hours to the development of a variety of tennis programs at the local, state, sectional and national levels. She also serves as chairwoman of the STA's Subcommittee on Wheelchair Tennis, helped form a wheelchair tennis committee in several state tennis associations throughout the Southern Section of the USTA, and arranged scholarships to send several wheelchair players to summer tennis camp. • The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division held its annual Fall Workshop in December at the Sheraton Oceanfront in Virginia Beach Va. The following award winners were named : Ted Meyer, Mid-Atlantic Pro of the Year· Kevin Brandalik, Virginia Pro of the Year· Ron Williams, West Virginia Pro of the Year· Dennis Rende, Maryland Pro of the Year· Tim Keegan, District of Columbia Pro of the Year· Paul Kostin, Men's Team Coach of the Year· Darryl Cum~ings and Eva Bard, cowinners of the Women's Team Coach of the Year· Jeff Hersh, Open Player of the Year·
Mark Vines, 35s Player of the Year· and Fred Drilling, 45s Player of the Year. • Ken Veney, USPTA professional, has joined Peter Burwash International Veney spent a month at The Woodlands Resort and Country Club in The Woodlands, Texas, and has moved to Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Florida. Veney spent four years as director of tennis in Tulsa, Okla. where he played college tennis for Oklahoma City University. • USPTA professional Rick Acosta was named the USPTA California Division Professional of the Year at the annual division Awards Banquet. Acosta, the resident tennis professional at the Old Rick Acosta Ranch Tennis Club in Seal Beach, Calif., also was presented with a Presidential Citation for dedication to the promotion of the sport of tennis, his involvement in grassroots programs for minorities and underprivileged children, and his contribution to the USPTA as a division officer. • USPTA professional Brett Hobden and Patricio Gonzalez, co-developers of System 5, recently returned from trips to Israel and Japan, where both pros delivered a series of System 5 clinics to the players and coaches of the two countries. • The Southern Tennis Association has selected Eric Voges, USPTA pro, as the recipient of the association's Educational Merit Award . The award is given to an indi-
vidual who has developed an outstanding tennis program which provides leadership and inspiration in junior programs for schools, colleges, parks and playgrounds benefiting the growth of the STA. Voges is the head varsity coach for the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn . a USTA Area Training Center Coach, the boys' coach of the Junior Davis Cup Team for Tennessee, and teaches in a free program of lessons offered by the city of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Boys Club. • USPTA professional John Rushworth has accepted a position with Head Sports as a district sales manager for Northern California. He previously was a representative for Prince Sports. Group for 15 years. • Donna Jaquith Alexson, USPTA professional, has been appointed the director of tennis at the Executive Health and Sports Center in Manchester, N H She also is the president of Game Donna J. Alexson Works, designers of tennis instructional games and promotional items:
Member product showcase • Braden Enterprises and ALTI Communications have joined to form Vic Braden (continued on page 24)
Patricio Gonzalez and Brett Hobden (center, back row) in Japan. ADDvantage February 1994
23
Industry action
(continued from page 23)
Sports (VBS) , a new video company, to produce sports instructional videos and TV programming for worldwide distribution . • Women 's Doubles: Made Easy the Vic Braden Way, by Vic Braden Vic Braden, and The Science and Myths of Tennis, by USPTA pro Vic Braden and Howard Brody, Ph.D. are available from Human Kinetics Publishers. Fitness Testing for Tennis, narrated by USPTA pro Jack Groppel, Ph.D., and designed under the direction of the USTA Sport Science Committee for Player Development, also is available from Human Kinetics Publishers. The video shows tennis instructors and coaches how to administer the USTA fitness testing protocol for junior tennis players. For more information, contact Vic Braden Sports at (619) 452-3842 , or Jolene Rupe at Human Kinetics at (217) 351-5076. • USPTA professional Anne Kucienski, a member of the USTA National Tennis Center and ATC coach has published the 1994
roots, collegiate and recreational tennis and racquetball programs in 1993. Amy Wishingrad, Penn's national promotions manager, said. Two of the events include USPTA's Across America Tennis Day and USPTA divisional programs. • Babolat is introducing many new string products for 1994, including the Fine Play, Fine Play Rough, Longevity, Defiance, VS Optimal and Double Action . Babolat also welcomes Emil DeSimone to its company as a company sales representative. DeSimone previously was employed with Penn Racquet Sports as a district sales manager. • Dave Haggerty, senior vice president, general manager of the western hemisphere, left Prince Sports Group effective Dec. 31 Haggerty began has 13-year career at the company as a product manager in 1980 and became national sales manager in 1983.
Miscellany • Sport for Understanding will have 27 youth teams traveling to Ecuador, Holland
and Spain during the summer of 1994. Tennis players, ages 14-19, of all skill levels are invited to join. Throughout the four-week program, SFU athletes and their volunteer coaches live with host families to experience the country's customs and culture firsthand . For more information and an application , write to Sport for Understanding, Dept. C302 , 3501 Newark St. N.W. Washington , D.C. 20016; or call (800) Teen-age.
• La Casa del Zorro Resort & Tennis Club in Borrego Springs, Calif is offering a special three-day, two-night tennis package. The package offers guests two nights of accommodations, 90 minutes per day of semiprivate lessons with Gary Lindstrom, the resort's USPTA professional, one hour's use of a ball machine each day, unlimited court time, a free can of balls, and a free hat or visor: Rates for the tennis package are $498, Monday through Thursday· and $542 , Friday through Sunday. These rates are based on double occupancy/availability, and run through the end of May. For more information , call La Casa del Zarro at (800) 824-1884.
Match Log Tournament Planner, a personal organizer for tournament players. Match Log helps juniors record and analyze the details of their matches, plan tournament and training schedules, and set monthly performance goals. To order a copy, call Kucienski at (718) 626-2439.
USTA • The USTA/National Junior Tennis League is seeking applicants for the 1994 Sectional Internship Program. The interns will work out of each of the 17 USTA sectional offices around the country, helping to start new USTA/NJTL chapters, strengthening exi sting ones, and bridging the communication gap between the national office and chapters in the sections. People who are interested should send resumes to Dave Abrams, USTA, NJTL Department, 70 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604-3602 .
Manufacturers •
Penn Racquet Sports donated more
than 880,000 tennis balls to numerous grass24
ADDvantage February 1994
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS We're "serving up" a tremendous opportunity to direct all aspects of tennis operations at Boca West Country Club, one of the nation's largest private equity owned clubs. Currently in the midst of a major $22 million expansion program, our magnificent facility seeks an experienced teaching professional with a flair for budgeting/financial controls as well as member play, court maintenance, activities/special events, staffing, clinics, etc. To qualify, you must possess a minimum USPTA P-1 level certification and at least 7 years experience directing a large tennis operation. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience, bottom-line orientation and ability to assure complete member satisfaction will be vital. In addition to an attractive salary and benefits package, you'll appreciate our beautiful location on 1,400 lush tropical acres in one of Florida's most desirable areas! For immediate consideration, rush your resume to: Angela Kuchta, Human Resources
Dept., Boca West Country Club, 20540 Country Club Blvd., Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL 33434. Fax: (407) 487-4098. EOE rnff/d/v All Resumes Must Be Received By February 28, 1994 For Consideration
BocaWEst
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(Just don't let it past you.) You know how to w1n. So of course, you know Pro Penn. Wanna know more? The USPTAendorses 1t. Now go h1t a few. For more information call -800-BUY-PENN.
USPTA personalized nylon banners
•
GORDON COlliNS
I
•
CERTIFIED
~I UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION
•
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SMAll BANNER actual size 2' X 3'
lARGE BANNER
$25 each
actual size 3' X 5'
$40each
Tax- Texas residents add 7 25% tax, Houston MTA, add 8 25% Shipping and handling- U.S add $2 95, plus $1 for each additional banner For nternational orders, add $5, plus $2 for each additional banner :f.o order, please print your name as you wish it to appear on banner and include it with sh pp1ng address (no P 0 boxes) and payment (check, MasterCard, Visa)
., USPTA G1ft Shoppe One USPTA Centre, 3535 Bnarpark Dnve, Houston, TX 77042
TEL (713) 97-USPTA • FAX (713) 978-7780
BULK RATE U.S. POST AGE
Tennis Professionals
UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC. World Headquarters One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston , TX 77042-5235
PAID Permit No. 3887 Tampa, FL