Newsletter - USPTA divisions - United States Professional Tennis ...
Newsletter - USPTA divisions - United States Professional Tennis ...
Newsletter - USPTA divisions - United States Professional Tennis ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
My experience at the 2012 <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
World Conference in Monterey, Calif.<br />
I<br />
had a member tell me to be prepared for microclimates<br />
because, even though we were headed to California, the<br />
weather could be cold one second and warm the next.<br />
Luckily I was given this insight before I left and was well<br />
prepared for the foggy and cool breeze filled mornings that,<br />
like clockwork, turned into warm, sun-drenched afternoons.<br />
In Monterey, Calif., I was not aware of the beautiful scenery<br />
until after the fog had lifted my first morning there. When it<br />
did, however, it was a sight to behold. We made sure to make a<br />
walk on the beach a first priority the first day because living in<br />
Iowa, that opportunity does not come often, and we are diving<br />
head first into winter.<br />
One of the things that I truly enjoy the most are the courses<br />
that are provided at any <strong>USPTA</strong> convention. I have learned<br />
that it is important to look thoroughly through the schedule<br />
in order to find the courses to attend that might most interest<br />
me, or give me information that I can use in my own teaching.<br />
Sometimes it can be hard to choose looking through the<br />
course outlines. A <strong>USPTA</strong> convention has course offerings that<br />
can peak my interest in so many different ways. Each specific<br />
title of a course can give you something completely fresh and<br />
new. Whether it is “The Nondominant Hand,” or “Better Young<br />
Athletes Make Better <strong>Tennis</strong> Players,” each course gives great<br />
What's Inside...<br />
2<br />
President's<br />
message 3<br />
Gary Trost named<br />
Master <strong>Professional</strong><br />
6<br />
10 Commandments of<br />
great programming<br />
8 Member<br />
spotlight<br />
Fall 2012<br />
by Tom Jennings<br />
information and even a new outlook on teaching this sport.<br />
(Who knew you could spend an hour just talking about the nondominant<br />
hand!) With each unique course, and each unique and<br />
seasoned individual talking about the sport of tennis, teaching<br />
tennis brings me only to one conclusion. There is so much to<br />
learn, there is a heck of a lot to teach, and there are an unlimited<br />
amount of ways to guide and teach tennis to others. This<br />
circular reasoning continues to remind me of the importance of<br />
all of the <strong>USPTA</strong> conventions.<br />
See Conference, Page 4<br />
9 New<br />
members
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
2012 Board<br />
of Directors<br />
President<br />
Angie Koumaris<br />
OKC Golf and Country Club<br />
7000 N.W. Grand Blvd.<br />
Nichols Hills, OK 73116<br />
405-848-2994<br />
abtwonder@yahoo.com<br />
Regional vice president<br />
Rich Slivocka<br />
3620 E. 30th Ave.<br />
Hitchinson, KS 67502<br />
620-662-1140<br />
richs@prairiedunes.com<br />
1st vice president<br />
Kent Womack<br />
431 Gobbler Court<br />
Beaufort, MO 63013<br />
573-484-3144<br />
kent0992@hotmail.com<br />
2nd vice president<br />
Kevin Braun<br />
5209 Cedar St.<br />
Roeland Park, KS 66205<br />
913-262-0445<br />
kevinmichaelbraun@gmail.com<br />
Treasurer<br />
Rod Zerni<br />
8901 W. 125th Terrace<br />
Overland Park, KS 66213<br />
913-831-0322<br />
woodsidetennis@hotmail.com<br />
Secretary<br />
Tom Jennings<br />
308 3rd Ave.<br />
Hiawatha, IA 52233<br />
319-396-7060<br />
tomtennis101@gmail.com<br />
Member-at-large<br />
René Vidal<br />
5620 Grand Dr.<br />
St. Louis, MO 63112<br />
314-452-1870<br />
renev@foresthillscc.net<br />
Past president<br />
Kendell Hale<br />
2205 N.W. 81st St.<br />
Kansas City, MO 64151-3738<br />
816-436-1608<br />
halekl@umkc.edu<br />
2<br />
Valley<br />
Viewpoint<br />
Angie Koumaris<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Missouri<br />
Valley President<br />
Hello Missouri Valley,<br />
I am so excited and looking forward to<br />
being your president for the next two<br />
years!<br />
If you did not attend the September<br />
World Conference in Monterey, I highly<br />
recommend you try to attend next year<br />
in Orlando at the Grand Cypress. There<br />
were so many great speakers and seminars,<br />
lots of opportunity for networking,<br />
beautiful scenery, and the food was<br />
great.<br />
A couple of the speakers from the World Conference will be<br />
speaking at our Missouri Valley Convention, which is fast<br />
approaching, so you’ll get to see them if you missed out in<br />
Monterey. The date has been set and we have a great lineup of<br />
speakers. A save-the-date card will be in the mail soon. Also,<br />
you can like us on Facebook. It is the official Missouri Valley<br />
Facebook page.<br />
Congratulations to the new Missouri Valley board: Rich Slivocka,<br />
Kent Womack, Rod Zerni, Kevin Braun, and new board<br />
members Tom Jennings and René Vidal. Thank you, Kendell<br />
Hale, for your leadership over the last two years. If you have<br />
any questions or concerns, please contact me or any member of<br />
the board. We are always looking for feedback and new ideas<br />
from our membership. We are here to serve you.<br />
Look forward to an exciting year!<br />
Angie Koumaris<br />
Missouri Valley President<br />
Missouri Valley Division Convention<br />
February 21-23, 2013<br />
Wichita Country Club, Wichita, Kan.<br />
Head tester<br />
Bunny Bruning<br />
27836 Meadowview Lane<br />
Adel, IA 50003<br />
bunnybfs@aol.com<br />
Executive administrator<br />
Jill Phipps<br />
3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One<br />
Houston, TX 77042<br />
888-877-8232<br />
divisionea@uspta.org<br />
Associate State Board<br />
Members<br />
Joel Reckewey – Nebraska<br />
139 N. 11th #1103<br />
Lincoln, NE 68508<br />
(402) 730-6070<br />
joelrex25@gmail.com<br />
Melissa McCorkle – Oklahoma<br />
8114 S 71st E Ave.<br />
Tulsa, OK 74133<br />
mmtennis@cox.net<br />
918-830-0526<br />
Steve Henry – Oklahoma<br />
OKC <strong>Tennis</strong> Center<br />
3400 N. Portland Ave.<br />
Oklahoma City, OK 73112<br />
okctenniscenter@att.net<br />
Michele Conlon – Iowa<br />
Hawkeye <strong>Tennis</strong> and Recreation<br />
Complex<br />
2820 Prairie Meadow Drive<br />
Iowa City, IA 52242<br />
319-335-9307<br />
michele-conlon@uiowa.edu<br />
Tylor Schlader – Iowa<br />
2781 NW 155th St.<br />
Clive, IA 50325<br />
tschlader@7flags.com<br />
tylor.schlader@gmail.com<br />
641-330-6277<br />
Dave Gary – Kansas<br />
6700 W. 110th St.<br />
Overland Park, KS 66211<br />
Dave.gary@midtown.com<br />
913-491-4116<br />
Ben Loeb – Missouri<br />
1104 Elsdon Dr.<br />
Columbia, MO 65203<br />
573-268-8750<br />
bloeb@columbia.k12.mo.us<br />
Fall 2012
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
Gary Trost named <strong>USPTA</strong> Master <strong>Professional</strong><br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Missouri Valley Pro Gary Trost was recognized<br />
for achieving Master <strong>Professional</strong> status, the highest<br />
professional rating within the tennis profession.<br />
He was recognized during the <strong>USPTA</strong>’s annual awards breakfast<br />
on Sept. 19 at the <strong>USPTA</strong> World Conference on <strong>Tennis</strong> at<br />
the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif.<br />
He joins an elite group as only about 1 percent of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s<br />
more than 15,000 members worldwide have achieved the Master<br />
<strong>Professional</strong> designation.<br />
Members must hold <strong>USPTA</strong>’s highest certification rating (<strong>Professional</strong><br />
1) for more than 10 years before becoming eligible<br />
for the Master <strong>Professional</strong> designation. Then, each must fulfill<br />
a broad spectrum of requirements, including making significant<br />
achievements in areas such as tennis teaching and coaching,<br />
business, education and volunteer work.<br />
Trost is the director of tennis at Oklahoma City Golf and<br />
Country Club, in Nichols Hills, Okla. He has been a certified<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> professional for 25 years. He has served as a <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
Missouri Valley Board member since 1997, including <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
Missouri Valley President from 2006-2010. He has been the<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> National Vice President since 2011. In 2006 he was<br />
honored as the George Bacso National Tester of the Year and is<br />
a five-time Missouri Valley Pro of the Year.<br />
Congratulations, Gary!<br />
Fall 2012<br />
3
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
Conference, from Page 1<br />
Having the opportunity to talk tennis, and to even hit a few balls with fellow<br />
teaching professionals is something that I value greatly. It is invigorating to see the<br />
bigger world that is the profession of teaching tennis, and it truly makes my world<br />
when I get back a more exciting one, and a fresher one for my clients. I get excited<br />
to bring them new drills and methods of teaching, and it can make a huge difference<br />
when they get to see something new that I throw at them. It is for all of these reasons<br />
that I will plan on heading to the <strong>USPTA</strong> World Conference next year, and hopefully<br />
for many years to come. I will be looking forward to 2013 in Orlando.<br />
4<br />
► Bunny Bruning, Kendell Hale and<br />
Tylor Schlader<br />
◄ Angie Koumaris and Bunny Bruning<br />
▼ (from left) Darren Heck, Rich<br />
Slivocka, Carrie Trost and Gary Trost<br />
Kaci Rumelhart and Tom Jennings (from left) Bunny, Kendell, Angie, Kaci, Tom and Tylor<br />
Fall 2012
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
World Conference attendees from Missouri Valley<br />
Fall 2012<br />
Bunny Bruning<br />
Matthew Free<br />
Kendell Hale<br />
Darren Heck<br />
Tom Jennings<br />
Angela Koumaris<br />
Lynda Marcos<br />
Steve Proulx<br />
Kaci Rumelhart<br />
Carlos Salazar<br />
Tylor Schlader<br />
James Shaughnessy<br />
Richard Slivocka<br />
Carrie Trost<br />
Gary Trost<br />
Rene Vidal<br />
Russ Warner<br />
Helen Wilson<br />
John Winterringer<br />
5
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
The 10 Commandments<br />
of great programming<br />
Leading your clients from here to there<br />
The best-selling book<br />
of all-time includes<br />
a tale of transporting<br />
people from “here to there”<br />
(e.g., Egypt to the Promised<br />
Land; societal chaos to<br />
societal peace, etc.). In a real<br />
sense, our mission as directors<br />
and leaders in the tennis<br />
community is no different.<br />
All things considered, every<br />
private client wants to get<br />
better, and every club membership<br />
desires to have an<br />
excellent tennis program. It’s<br />
our responsibility to not only<br />
deliver beyond expectations,<br />
but to create standards and<br />
programs that wow clients<br />
day-in and day-out. Is this a<br />
high calling of intense proportions?<br />
Absolutely, and so were<br />
the hand-delivered instructions<br />
on the peak of Mount<br />
Sinai.<br />
To help your clients and<br />
your overall tennis operation<br />
move from “here to there,”<br />
certain commandments<br />
should be followed:<br />
1. Thou Shalt Prepare or<br />
Perish<br />
In the business world, it’s<br />
called due diligence; in the<br />
athletic arena, it’s called<br />
good old-fashioned preparation.<br />
Success begins<br />
6<br />
with vision, yes; however,<br />
conversing with clients,<br />
periodically soliciting<br />
feedback from committees<br />
(and the like) clarifies<br />
the vision, increasing the<br />
likelihood of running a<br />
first-class program.<br />
2. Thou Shalt Prioritize<br />
Diversity<br />
Successful programs specifically<br />
address the needs<br />
and desires of the client/<br />
membership. At Forest<br />
Hills, there are opportunities<br />
for every age, level,<br />
and gender to participate<br />
in the sport. We also strive<br />
to be responsive and openminded<br />
to ideas for new<br />
programs.<br />
3. Thou Shalt Partner<br />
Effectively<br />
To accelerate the<br />
performance of your<br />
tennis program, partner<br />
with the best people who<br />
will serve as your tennis<br />
ambassadors. The best<br />
client representatives<br />
are those who are wellconnected,<br />
well-liked, and<br />
extremely proactive in<br />
bringing friends into the<br />
participation mix.<br />
4. Thou Shalt Communicate<br />
Consistently<br />
Clients both expect and<br />
appreciate candid communication<br />
and transparency.<br />
Use various mediums<br />
(e.g., e-mail, newsletters,<br />
etc.) to help shape expectations,<br />
make it easier for<br />
clients to play, and reiterate<br />
your value proposition.<br />
For example, we use our<br />
club’s monthly newsletter<br />
to provide concrete<br />
examples of how we are<br />
fulfilling our mission of<br />
developing leaders on and<br />
off the court.<br />
5. Thou Shalt Educate First<br />
The beauty of our sport<br />
rests in the ultimate life<br />
lessons that are gained<br />
through continuous participation.<br />
It’s vital that<br />
each tennis program have<br />
a theme and remain true to<br />
form for the duration. One<br />
of our most successful<br />
programs, “<strong>Tennis</strong> University<br />
for Beginners,” is selfexplanatory.<br />
As players<br />
improve, they are invited<br />
to move on to our “Play<br />
Great Series for Intermediates.”<br />
The life lesson: earn<br />
the promotion.<br />
by René Vidal, M.Sc., <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
6. Thou Shalt Have Fun<br />
There are a million ways<br />
to do this, but the most effective<br />
tennis leaders pick<br />
a few and stay consistent.<br />
In 2012, playing music<br />
during our summer junior<br />
programs helped energize<br />
our students and kept them<br />
from standing still in line.<br />
This may not work at every<br />
facility, but it has for<br />
ours, so we rocked on.<br />
7. Thou Shalt Please<br />
Selectively<br />
As customer-centric as<br />
we are at Forest Hills,<br />
members understand that<br />
group lessons are not<br />
the venue to seek private<br />
advice. Many coaches<br />
allow themselves to get<br />
distracted during lessons<br />
because they try to<br />
respond to every comment<br />
and whim. In a group<br />
environment, the group<br />
comes first; in a private<br />
atmosphere, the client<br />
comes first. This is the<br />
most professional way to<br />
conduct business.<br />
8. Thou Shalt Invite Non-<br />
Members<br />
Nationwide, the battle for<br />
increasing club member-<br />
Fall 2012
ships is not uncommon.<br />
By holding events (e.g.,<br />
member-guest) that are<br />
open to non-members, you<br />
display your club’s wares<br />
to prospective new members,<br />
thus adding value<br />
beyond your immediate<br />
tennis objectives.<br />
9. Thou Shalt Speak<br />
<strong>Professional</strong>ly<br />
Both on and off the court,<br />
positive self-talk is a<br />
huge advantage and a<br />
key factor to success. If<br />
you’d like your clients to<br />
perform like winners, one<br />
of the first steps involves<br />
teaching them to talk like<br />
winners. The process<br />
begins with you. In a<br />
world that often thrives on<br />
small talk, it’s imperative<br />
Fall 2012<br />
that you know what topics<br />
are open for discussion vs.<br />
those topics (and words)<br />
that are off limits: set the<br />
example.<br />
10. Thou Shalt Weed Out<br />
Aggressively<br />
Not every program and/or<br />
service will be a smashing<br />
hit. For example, we’re<br />
currently reviewing our<br />
tennis blog and online<br />
media presence to decide<br />
whether or not there’s<br />
enough value to keep them<br />
going. There’s nothing<br />
wrong with clearing out<br />
the clutter. Look to improve<br />
it or cut it.<br />
And always look for<br />
ways to help your clients get<br />
from here to there.<br />
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
By holding member-guest events, you display your club’s wares<br />
to prospective new members, thus adding value beyond your<br />
immediate tennis objectives.<br />
René Vidal, a member of the<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Missouri Valley Board<br />
of Directors, is director of<br />
tennis at Forest Hills Country<br />
Club, and founder of Vidal<br />
Sports Group, LLC, a high-<br />
performance consulting firm<br />
for executives and achievers.<br />
His newsletter, The Vidal<br />
Edge, can be accessed at<br />
www.renevidal.com.<br />
7
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
Spotlight<br />
Trey Baring is the new staff professional at Oklahoma City<br />
<strong>Tennis</strong> Center.<br />
Trey was born and raised near San Antonio where he played<br />
high school tennis, winning district and regional titles. In college<br />
Trey played at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond,<br />
competing at nationals in 2009. Trey will be graduating this<br />
December with a degree in Business Management. Trey has a<br />
busy schedule finishing his degree and working full time at the<br />
tennis center, directing the advanced juniors, private and group<br />
lessons, racquet stringing and as assistant tournament direc-<br />
8<br />
Trey Baring<br />
THE ULTIMATE<br />
KIDS CHALLENGE<br />
is the<br />
“Little Mo”<br />
INTERNATIONAL<br />
OPEN<br />
Ages 7-12<br />
Open to ANY PLAYER Worldwide<br />
December 7-12, 2012<br />
PGA National Resort & Spa<br />
and<br />
BallenIsles Country Club<br />
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida USA<br />
* Players 8, 9, 10: Yellow ball<br />
or green dot ball option<br />
For More Info<br />
Email: cartennis@aol.com<br />
To register:<br />
www.MCBTENNIS.ORG<br />
Andy Roddick, former<br />
“Little Mo” Champion 1992<br />
*Please bring this photo to the tournament desk for a FREE PRIZE.<br />
“Mini Mo” Internationals: December 14-17 at Club Med Sandpiper, Port St. Lucie, FL<br />
(Boys and Girls ages 5-10 using 36'/60'/78' court and red/orange/green dot balls)<br />
Open to any player worldwide Enter online: www.mcbtennis.org<br />
tor in 11 summer tournaments. Trey also helps in coaching the<br />
<strong>Tennis</strong> Center’s USTA Junior Team <strong>Tennis</strong> teams.<br />
Trey has made a commitment to becoming a highly qualified<br />
tennis professional. He completed his <strong>USPTA</strong> certification this<br />
spring, scoring a P1 on his first try on the written portion of<br />
the test. Trey is always browsing on the Internet or the <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
website looking for tips and ideas to further enhance his skills<br />
as a teaching professional, and is looking forward to attending<br />
his first <strong>USPTA</strong> divisional convention.<br />
Fall 2012
Welcome to the Valley!<br />
Welcome to new members:<br />
Christopher Copenhaver of Wichita, Kan.<br />
George James of Columbia, Mo.<br />
Curtis Newman of Ankeny, Iowa<br />
Khiem Nguyen of Enid, Okla.<br />
Kyle Petersen of West Des Moines, Iowa<br />
Clark Taylor of St. Louis<br />
Lanny Wake of Cameron, Mo.<br />
John Winterringer of Shawnee, Okla.<br />
Fall 2012<br />
Dates to Remember<br />
Testing Dates<br />
Nov. 10 Kansas City, Mo.<br />
The Plaza<br />
Jan. 12 Kansas City, Mo.<br />
The Plaza<br />
Feb. 21 Wichita, Kan.<br />
Wichita Country Club<br />
March 15 Oklahoma City, Okla.<br />
Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club<br />
April 20 Des Moines, Iowa<br />
Wakonda Club<br />
May 12 St. Louis, Mo.<br />
Frontenac Racquet Club<br />
May 18 Des Moines, Iowa<br />
Wakonda Club<br />
May 18 Kansas City, Mo.<br />
The Plaza<br />
July 14 Des Moines, Iowa<br />
Wakonda Club<br />
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
Find-a-Pro. Visit <strong>USPTA</strong>’s free job<br />
listing service, Find-a-Pro,<br />
at www.find-a-pro.com, to find a job,<br />
list a job or find<br />
other <strong>USPTA</strong> Pros near you.<br />
If you would like to place a job listing<br />
in the newsletter, please contact Jill<br />
at divisionea@uspta.org or<br />
888-877-8232.<br />
Meet your Missouri Valley<br />
HEAD/Penn Rep!<br />
Jason Thoerner<br />
District Sales Manager (Iowa, Kansas,<br />
Missouri, Nebraska, Southern Illinois)<br />
328 E. Glendale Street<br />
Manito, IL 61546<br />
Office: 309-265-0488<br />
Cell: 309-840-5485<br />
Email: JThoerner@us.head.com<br />
9
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> announces plans to move forward<br />
Tim Heckler to retire in December 2012 and John Embree named as new CEO/Executive Director<br />
The <strong>USPTA</strong> has announced plans<br />
to move forward following Tim<br />
Heckler’s retirement as chief<br />
executive officer effective Dec. 31, 2012,<br />
after 30 years in the position.<br />
Heckler announced his intent to<br />
retire earlier this year and the Board of<br />
Directors also offered Heckler a one-year<br />
severance package through the end of<br />
2013, which was ratified by a vote of the<br />
entire Executive Committee in April.<br />
The Board of Directors and Search<br />
Committee recently hired industry<br />
veteran John Embree as the new CEO/<br />
Executive Director. Embree began transitioning<br />
into his role as of Oct. 1 and<br />
will be relocating to the national office in<br />
Houston on Nov. 1.<br />
The association conducted a search<br />
for the new CEO/Executive Director, and<br />
after interviewing several candidates in<br />
conjunction with the executive search<br />
firm, GSI Executive Search Inc., the<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Search Committee offered the<br />
position to Embree. The contract was<br />
ratified by the <strong>USPTA</strong> Executive Committee<br />
in late August.<br />
“The <strong>USPTA</strong> is indebted to Tim<br />
Heckler for taking <strong>USPTA</strong> to the next<br />
level, and his 30 years of service as<br />
CEO is a demonstration of his passion,<br />
his commitment to the association, and<br />
his endless hard work for helping and<br />
improving the well-being of the tennisteaching<br />
professional,” President Daglis<br />
said.<br />
When Heckler, who is a <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
Master <strong>Professional</strong>, was tapped as<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> CEO in 1982, the organization<br />
had approximately 2,400 members and<br />
an annual budget of $700,000. Today,<br />
the association is the world’s oldest and<br />
largest organization of its kind, serving<br />
10<br />
Tim Heckler John Embree<br />
more than 15,000 members in 66 countries,<br />
and operating on an annual budget<br />
of $6.5 million. Also, the association’s<br />
equity has grown from $60,000 in 1982<br />
to more than $4.2 million today.<br />
Heckler, who began playing tennis<br />
at age 3, started his tennis-teaching<br />
career in 1970, the same year he joined<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong>. He was elected president of<br />
the <strong>USPTA</strong> Texas Division in 1974 and<br />
served as national president of the organization<br />
from 1980 to 1982.<br />
With Heckler’s guidance, <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
became one of the first tennis organizations<br />
to embrace technology, first through<br />
the computerization of the business itself<br />
as early as 1982, and then later through<br />
its use of the Internet and email-based<br />
communications and education. <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
introduced its first website in 1995.<br />
The <strong>USPTA</strong> honored Heckler in<br />
2000 by naming him a grand inductee in<br />
the Association’s Hall of Fame. He also<br />
received the International <strong>Tennis</strong> Hall of<br />
Fame’s <strong>Tennis</strong> Educational Merit Award<br />
in 2002 and was inducted into the Texas<br />
<strong>Tennis</strong> Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008<br />
he received the highest honor awarded<br />
by the <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> <strong>Professional</strong> <strong>Tennis</strong><br />
Association, the George Bacso Lifetime<br />
Achievement Award.<br />
“We are pleased to welcome John<br />
Embree into the <strong>USPTA</strong> family. His vast<br />
tennis industry expertise, contacts, and<br />
company management skills will serve<br />
the <strong>USPTA</strong> well,” said President Tom<br />
Daglis.<br />
Embree has held a wide variety of<br />
influential tennis industry roles for more<br />
than 30 years. They include serving as<br />
President of Prince Sports, The Americas;<br />
President of Balle de Match LLC;<br />
and Vice President/General Manager,<br />
Racquet Sports Division for Wilson<br />
Sporting Goods Co. Most recently, he<br />
launched a tennis consulting practice<br />
to assist endemic brands, associations<br />
and new corporate entities in maximizing<br />
their impact in the tennis marketplace.<br />
His client list included the USTA,<br />
Intercollegiate <strong>Tennis</strong> Association, Peter<br />
Burwash International, Off the Grid<br />
Technologies, and Donnay USA.<br />
Embree has served on many national<br />
USTA Committees, including the USTA<br />
Nominating Committee in 2005-2006<br />
and currently as the Vice Chair of USTA<br />
<strong>Professional</strong> Circuits Committee. In addition,<br />
he recently served as Presidential<br />
appointee of the Board of Directors of<br />
USTA Middle <strong>States</strong> section, is a past<br />
member of TIA Board of Directors and<br />
Executive Committee, member of the<br />
Board of Directors of American College<br />
of Sports Medicine Foundation, and past<br />
President of the Chicago <strong>Tennis</strong> Patrons<br />
Foundation. One of his proudest achievements<br />
in tennis was the creation of the<br />
USTA Adult League <strong>Tennis</strong> program in<br />
1980, when he served as the first USTA<br />
Adult League <strong>Tennis</strong> Administrator for<br />
two years. He earned a bachelor’s degree<br />
from Washington & Lee University in<br />
Lexington, VA, and was inducted into the<br />
W&L Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.<br />
Fall 2012
Fall 2012<br />
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
11
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
The <strong>USPTA</strong> Competitive Player<br />
Development Conference will<br />
take place at the Academia<br />
Sánchez-Casal in Naples, Fla., Dec. 7-9.<br />
The conference will allow attendees to<br />
learn the Spanish method for developing<br />
players.<br />
The Academia Sánchez-Casal,<br />
considered the best tennis academy in<br />
Europe, will officially open its branch in<br />
Naples, Fla., on November 1 (although<br />
doors opened for members on October<br />
1). It will be the largest clay court<br />
facility in the country, which is a key<br />
factor for the Academy to implement its<br />
training system based in Spanish tennis.<br />
This system has developed top players<br />
including Murray, Kuznetsova, Monaco<br />
and Hantuchova, among many others.<br />
The Academy just opened its<br />
programs for juniors, ATP-WTA players,<br />
coaches and after-school tennis for<br />
kids. It will follow the same successful<br />
structure that it has in Barcelona: the<br />
12<br />
Academia Sánchez-Casal <strong>Tennis</strong> Club, a<br />
traditional club for families with numerous<br />
social activities and great tennis programs<br />
for local kids, combined with the<br />
high performance Academy programs.<br />
Featured speakers for the conference<br />
include Emilio Sanchez Vicario, Luis<br />
Mediero and Derek Touchette. Sanchez<br />
Vicario, who is a <strong>USPTA</strong> Master <strong>Professional</strong>,<br />
is the former captain of the 2008<br />
championship Davis Cup team for Spain<br />
and a former tour player ranked No. 7<br />
in singles and No. 1 in doubles. He was<br />
also captain of Spain’s Olympic gold<br />
medal team in 2008. The Sanchez family<br />
is also well known for Emilio’s sister,<br />
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, who won four<br />
Grand Slam singles titles, six Grand<br />
Slam women’s doubles titles, and four<br />
Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.<br />
Luis Mediero is a <strong>USPTA</strong> Master<br />
<strong>Professional</strong> and the founder of Registro<br />
Profesional de Tenis (RPT) in Madrid,<br />
Spain. Mediero, who is also the president<br />
of the International Coaches Institute, has<br />
a lifetime of coaching experience that he<br />
has shared through courses, clinics and<br />
conferences in 80 countries, and he will<br />
provide invaluable insights to attendees.<br />
Derek Touchette is the fitness director<br />
at Academia Sanchez-Casal. He is the<br />
founder of Total Athletic Performance<br />
and has trained athletes for the NFL,<br />
NBA, MLS and USA Soccer. He has<br />
trained tennis players, such as Sharapova,<br />
Jankovic, and Mirny.<br />
Early registration for the conference<br />
is $300 for <strong>USPTA</strong> members and<br />
includes all materials. The deadline for<br />
early registration is Nov. 1. The conference<br />
will be presented in English. For<br />
more information about the conference,<br />
including a detailed agenda, click here.<br />
For more details and to register, visit<br />
www.sanchez-casal.com, call 239-641-<br />
0010 or email florida@sanchez-casal.<br />
com.<br />
Fall 2012
Fall 2012<br />
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
USTA PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING WORKSHOP<br />
FACT SHEET<br />
Date and Time: November 30, 2012<br />
8:30 a.m.‐4:00 p.m.<br />
Sites: Sheraton Overland Park<br />
6100 College Blvd<br />
Overland Park, KS 66211<br />
913.234.2100<br />
Midtown Athletic Club<br />
6700 W 110 th St<br />
Overland Park, KS 66211<br />
913.491.4116<br />
Contacts: Marissa Brown<br />
913.322.4822<br />
brown@movalley.usta.com<br />
Registration:<br />
Workshop Leaders: TBD<br />
Please note there is $15 registration fee.<br />
To register for the workshop, please visit:<br />
http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2023660<br />
If you have any additional questions, please contact Marissa Brown at<br />
brown@movalley.usta.com.<br />
Workshop check in: Check‐in is at 8:15 a.m. at the Sheraton Overland Park (address listed below)<br />
Meals: Lunch will be provided on site.<br />
Local Hotel<br />
Accommodations:<br />
For those needing local accommodations, below are local area hotels.<br />
Sheraton Overland Park<br />
6100 College Blvd<br />
Overland Park, KS 66211<br />
913.234.2100<br />
13
<strong>Newsletter</strong> of <strong>USPTA</strong>’s Missouri Valley Division<br />
3535 Briarpark Drive • Suite One • Houston, TX 77042<br />
888-<strong>USPTA</strong>-EA • Fax: 713-978-7780<br />
e-mail: divisionea@uspta.org<br />
Editor Julie Myers<br />
Contributors Angie Koumaris, Tom Jennings, René Vidal<br />
MOmentum is published quarterly by the Missouri Valley Division of<br />
the <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> <strong>Professional</strong> <strong>Tennis</strong> Association.<br />
The opinions expressed in MOmentum are those of the authors and<br />
not necessarily those of MOmentum or the <strong>USPTA</strong> Missouri Valley<br />
Division.<br />
Copyright© Missouri Valley Division/<strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> <strong>Professional</strong><br />
<strong>Tennis</strong> Association, Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction<br />
of any portion of the newsletter is not permitted without written<br />
permission from the <strong>USPTA</strong> Missouri Valley Division.<br />
Advertising information<br />
Ads will be in black and white. Prices are per issue.<br />
Full page ...................... $115<br />
2/3 page ....................... $100<br />
Half page .................. $57.50<br />
1/3 page .......................$45<br />
1/4 page .......................$30<br />
Business card ...............$18.50<br />
Discounts are given for ads whose frequency rate is two or more<br />
per calendar year. Contact Jill Phipps at 888-<strong>USPTA</strong>-EA for a<br />
rate card and circulation information.