USPTA Southern Division: Where Excellence is STANDARD

Page 10 Volume 13 Issue 2
Southern
Spotlight
Fred Burdick - Mtn view Tennis (Club Fred), Dalton, GA
Please give a brief
description of your
tennis career: Started
teaching tennis at
Dalton Junior College
in 1972. Opened a
tennis and jogging
retail shop in 1978,
went to full time
teaching and got my
certification in 1985,
taught for Cobb
County Parks and
Recreation Department
from 1985 to
1988, Director of Tennis at Sunset Hills Country Club 1988 to 2002,
been at club Fred ever since. I have been a member of the association
for 27 years, earned Master Professional a few years back, and served
the division as Executive Director for 20 years.
When did you start playing tennis? I picked up my first racquet at age
14 and fell in love with the game. Wasn’t much else to do in Dalton
Georgia in 1959.
What other sports did you play? I played Little League baseball but was
an avid basketball player from the age of 12 to 18.
Who were mentors that helped you develop as a professional? Vic
Braden, Dennis Van der Meer, Randy Stephens, Alan Henry, Tom
Daglis.
What is your favorite shot to teach? The serve. I’ve helped a lot of players
with their serve.
What are you teaching right now? I’m working with a junior that just
made cheer leading. I’m trying to make her and her parents understand
that in 4 years she will no longer cheer but in 50 years she’ll still
be playing tennis.
What advice do you have for someone starting in the tennis profession?
Invest in yourself. As much as you think you cannot afford to take
time off the court to attending workshops and seminars, it is not an
expense it is an investment in yourself. The benefits are exponential.
What are your hobbies? Fishing and boating. I still like to play but don’t
get a chance much anymore. I’ve taken up Italian cooking recently. I’ve
started my largest garden this spring.
What is your favorite movie? The Godfather
What is your favorite book? “Walking Wounded”. A Vietnam Marine
Corps account of a friend of mine that served with the author during
the Vietnam War.
Are you reading anything right now? Trying to get through “Atlas
Schrugged” by Ayn Rand
What is your favorite magazine? B.A.S.S.
Who is your favorite player of all time? Rod Laver 2 time Grand Slam
Winner. It will never be accomplished again.
What person you would most like to have lunch with? Rod Laver
although I did have a beer with him one time in Atlanta.
What tennis player you would like to play a set with? John McEnroe
What is the first thing you would purchase if you won the lottery? A trip to
Wimbledon and Italy.
What would you be doing if you were not in tennis? I was a court
recorder in the Marine Corps and seriously considered doing that after
I was discharged.
What was your most inspirational moment? I don’t know if it gets any
better than to be inducted into the Southern Division Hall of Fame.
Megan Falcon, Bocage Racquet Club, Baton Rouge, LA
Give a brief description of your
tennis career: I am originally
from Alameda, California.
Grew up playing junior tennis
in Northern California.
Competed in numerous USTA
National and ITF Junior tennis
tournaments. Left Alameda
to attend Louisiana State
University in 2005 and graduated
in 2009. While playing
collegiate tennis I achieved
a #1 NCAA singles ranking
and was a three time Singles
All-American. In 2007, I earned
SEC player of the year and got
to participate in Pan American
Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After graduating in December of 2009
I traveled and played on the ITF Challenger Circuit until I started working
at Bocage Racquet Club in August of 2011.
When did you start playing tennis? Age 6
What other sports did you play? Played basketball and softball until
high school.
What moved you to teach tennis? I love the sport and enjoy trying to
help people improve their games.
Who were mentors that helped you develop as a professional? My family.
What is your favorite shot to teach? Inside out forehand
Do you enjoy working with certain age groups or ability levels more than
others? I enjoy teaching all levels because there are different challenges
at each level.
Which personality traits are most important for tennis professionals to
master? Lack of self-consciousness, patience, positive and encouraging,
curiosity, modesty, value others, and confidence to name a few.
What are your hobbies? Golf, reading, fishing
What is your favorite movie? The Shawshank Redemption
What is your favorite book? The Green Mile
Are you reading anything right now? 50 Shades of Grey
What is your favorite sports team? Anything LSU
Favorite magazine? Money
Favorite player of all time? Andre Agassi
First thing you would purchase if you won the lottery: Porsche