new logo and brand image to reenergize tennis...

Being a good sport means more thanshaking hands after match point

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By Marti Eidson

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Marti was an intern with the USTA/Missouri ValleySection in January 2006. Having played tennis since she was 4, she isnow the No. 1 player for Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. )

Ihave seen and heard it all, fromgiving your opponent credit for

a good shot to the sound of aracket slamming against the

court. Because I have beenplaying tennis for almost

17 years, nothing comes as a surprise. As far assportsmanship is concerned, keeping anger andaggression from taking over control is difficult for some,and for others staying cool comes naturally.

As for myself, it is a work in progress. Many can relateto my competitive nature, always wanting to succeed anddo my best, and when I don’t, it’s frustrating. Fighting offthe urge to scream is an ongoing battle for many players.

After speaking with many of the 2005 USTA/MissouriValley Section Junior Sportsmanship Award winners, Iwas inspired.

Rebecca Parks from Tulsa, Okla., winner of the Girls’18 Junior Sportsmanship Award, said that it is difficultwhen opponents get angry and make bad calls.

“You have to learn to control yourself,” stated Parks.“People’s opinions of you are dictated by how you act,not just how you play.”

It’s not all about how fast you serve, how often youcan hit that forehand winner, or making sure you win bydouble goose eggs, but also about how you act whencompeting – win or lose.

After hearing Parks explain how important sportsman-ship is in the game of tennis, it makes me think twiceabout how I am perceived by others. When you are on thecourt, in your zone, it’s easy to forget that there are peo-ple watching you and how you act.

Rebecca’s mother, Patricia, said thather daughter had to work at being agood sport.

“It never came naturally,” shesaid. “As far as adversi-

ty on the court,

she had to work hard at it.”And that hard work has paid off for

Rebecca, who is a top college scholarshipcontender in Oklahoma. The high level of sports-

manship Rebecca displays, along with her tennis ability,will definitely help her become more marketable to col-lege coaches.

SCHOLARSHIPS & SPORTSMANSHIP Iowa StateUniversity’s head women’s tennis coach Michele Conlonlooks for good sports, not just good players, when recruit-ing.

“If you recruit a person into your program that hasstrong character, it makes life a lot smoother,” saidConlon, who has a previous Billy Talbert NationalSportsmanship Award winner and a Missouri ValleyJunior Sportsmanship Award winner on her team. Shesays that any college coach looks for sportsmanship in aplayer to a certain degree: “It’s not the only part of

New logo and brandimage to reenergizetennis community

Page 37

See SPORTSMANSHIP Page 36

36 CROSSCOURT | Winter 2006missourivalley.usta.com

recruiting, but it is important.” Reagan Dodd, head men’s and

women’s tennis coach at BakerUniversity in Baldwin City, Kan., agreeswith Coach Conlon.

“If I hear negatives about a player, itmakes me think twice,” Dodd said.“Sportsmanship definitely ranks in thetop three things I look at when recruitinga player.”

After speaking with Boys’ 16USTA/Missouri Valley Section JuniorSportsmanship Award winner Abe Souzafrom St. Louis, his positive attitude wasengraved in my mind. He gave greatadvice for players who are strugglingwith this aspect of the game.

“You have to remind yourself that if

you get mad, you are probably going toplay worse, and that’s not what any-one wants,” observed Souza.

POSTIVE ON & OFF THE COURTSouza is currently ranked No. 1in the USTA/Missouri ValleyBoys’ 16 section. He said thatbeing a good sport gives hisranking validity for others.“If you are a good sport,people honor your accom-plishments and respect youthat much more,” Souzastated. “There’s not muchthey can say about yourranking except that you suc-ceed because of hard workand being a good player.”

There is so much truth inwhat Souza said. What canpeople say about you if you area hard but fair player? Nothing.Nothing but positives. They’llsay you win and lose withrespect and class – not that you winbecause your tantrums distract youropponent.

For both Junior SportsmanshipAward winners, Rebecca and Abe,their high level of sportsmanshiphas encompassed all aspects of theirlives.

“It just teaches me to look at thepositive side of everything,” Parks said.“In life, bad things will always hap-pen…you can’t let it ruin everything.”

For Souza, his religious affiliationreiterates his good sportsmanship.

“It’s kind of a moral thing to me,” hesaid.

No matter what your motivation,sportsmanship is a vital key to success atall levels of tennis.

Each year the Missouri Valley Sectionrecognizes juniors who portray outstand-

ing sportsmanship qualities on and offthe court. For a complete list of sectionjunior sportsmanship award winners seepage 25 of the Yearbook.

Nationally, the highest award for jun-ior sportsmanship is the Billy Talbertaward. The winner of the award demon-strates the highest qualities of sports-manship in tournament play and the besttraditions of remarkable sportspersons ofboth the past and present. For moreinformation on the Billy Talbert awardvisit usta.cccom/communitytennis.

Abe Souza has both a mature tennis gameand attitude: “You have to remindyourself that if you get mad, youare probably going to play worse.”

How you play the game really does matter, accordingto Rebecca Parks: “People’s opinions of youare dictated by how you act, not just howyou play.”

SPORTSMANSHIP From Page 35

Good Sports In Action...Good sports do not go unnoticed.

What do good sports do to stand out?

“On match point, a guy hit a ball, hisopponent called it good, and theumpire called the ball out. The guywho called it good, overruled theumpire and lost the match.” – AbeSouza, junior player from St. Louis

“Making legit calls and changing theircalls when it would hurt them in theend. Calling the lines fairly in a tightmatch.” – Regan Dodd, BakerUniversity (Baldwin City, Kan.) HeadMen's and Women's Tennis Coach

“I see coaches go against their playerand give point penalties.” – MicheleConlon, Iowa State University Head

Women's Tennis Coach

And Bad Sports...Unfortunately, here’s one example of

extremely poor sportsmanship:

“I saw somebody jump the net anddeck somebody.” – Michele Conlon

37Winter 2006 | CROSSCOURT missourivalley.usta.com

T he USTA has unveiled a new brand iden-tity that creates a consistent and unified

branded platform for all USTA programs andevents. For the first time, the iconic flaming ballof the US Open will be integrated into the USTAlogo to better connect the US Open to all USTAprograms.

The new brand identity further signifies theUSTA’s position as a progressive leader in driv-ing the growth and appeal of tennis in the UnitedStates – from local communities to the highestlevel of the professional game. The new flamingball and shield logo provides a consistent visualcommunication that links USTA programs – theUS Open, USTA Pro Circuit, USTA Leagues,USTA Junior Team Tennis, USTA Membership –and the 17 USTA Sections.

“This new branding system creates a consis-tent identity linking all USTA professional andgrassroots programs, while creating an aspira-tional brand to further grow the game,” saidMichelle Wilson, managing director ofMarketing, Pro Tennis, USTA. “By carrying theflaming ball icon through the entire brand identi-ty system, we can better leverage fans’ emotionalconnection to the US Open to all our programs.”

The new logo and brand identity is now beingincorporated into all USTA materials, includingUSTA professional and recreational programs,usta.com, USTA Magazine, and all USTA events.In addition, the new branding system will beincorporated throughout the 17 USTA Sections.The new logo also will be prominently featuredat the USTA National Tennis Center, home of theUS Open.

To obtain a logo contact the USTA/Missouri Valley Section Director of Marketing Communications:Manon Eilts, [email protected] or 913-322-4826.

‘It’s Your Game’A brand image campaign that will reenergize the tennis

community will be launched in April and May. The cam-paign rallies around the slogan, “It’s Your Game.”

Local marketing executions will be available for use atthe grass roots level to promote and develop the growthof tennis.

Kathy Francis, USTA Managing Director of Community Tennis Marketing andDevelopment, explains the new image campaign during the USTA/Missouri ValleyAnnual Conference Dec. 2, 2005.


Net News Briefs

HEART OF AMERICAFormer USTA/Missouri Valley

president and Hall of Fame memberMervyn Webster joined the IndianCreek Racquet Club (overland Park,Kan.) as the facility's Co-Junior TennisDirector in January. Webster, whotook on his new duties Jan. 2,coached the World Team TennisWichita Advantage franchise in itschampionship year of 1993, was aUSTA National Team coach, and wasthe coach of Lori McNeil during her1994 Wimbledon semifinal run.

The USTA/Missouri Valley Sectionconducted a Tournament Director'sWorkshop for junior and adult tour-nament directors Jan 21-22 at theOverland Park Marriott. The workshopwent over the TennisLink™ andTournament Data Management sys-tem software used to help run andmaintain tournaments, allowed fellowtournament directors the opportunityto network, and gave director's tipson topics such as event awards pre-sentations and publicity. An Official'sWorkshop was also held the sameweekend. Current or aspiring officialstook classes to certify their creden-tials and went over new changes tothe tennis rulebook, Friend at Court.

IOWAThe Children & Family Urban

Ministries in Des Moines received a$12,000 USTA Tennis & EducationFoundation grant to purchase newcomputers and build a computer lab.The organization, working with 50 to100 students on a weekly basis, start-ed its tennis program in 2005 andalso became a National Junior TennisLeague chapter.

Drake University in Des Moinesplayed host to the second annualUSTA/Missouri Valley Tennis onCampus Championships, Feb. 18-19.Twelve teams from eight schools –University of Nebraska, Iowa State,Missouri-Rolla, University of NorthernIowa, Washington University, St. LouisUniversity, Drake University andKirkwood College – took part in theevent, held at the Drake TennisCenter.

KANSASKossover Tennis Center in

Topeka, was named a recent recipientof a USTA Public Funding Grant. Thetennis center will receive $66,784.64from the USTA for court improve-ments and upgrades that includedexpanded seating and a stadiumcourt. All 18 of the facility’s courtswill be resurfaced, and the pro shopwill be expanded. These upgradesshould help position Kossover formore high profile adult and juniortournaments.

The Capper Foundation EasterSeals of Topeka received a $5,000grant from the USTA Tennis &Education Foundation. The grant willbe used to conduct summer tenniscamps for youngsters with disabili-ties.

First Serve Tennis Center inLawrence opened Feb. 1 with threeindoor courts, and a plan to add anadditional indoor court by September.The facility, which is owned by MikeElwell, will serve as the home to theUniversity of Kansas women's tennisteam and practices. The director oftennis at First Serve will be formerIowa player Stuart Waters.

MISSOURIMissouri State University

(Springfield) recently cut five of theschool's 21 intercollegiate sports pro-grams, including the men's andwomen's tennis programs. School offi-cials said that current athletes' schol-arships would be honored, but thattennis will no longer remain a varsitysport after the 2005-06 season. Theuniversity said it would help any ofthe school's 14 tennis players attemptto transfer to other schools.

The CCRA TennisComplex/Fairview Tennis Complexin Columbia has received a $100,000USTA “Tennis in the Parks” Grant torenovate and build 12 new courts.

NEBRASKAThe Nebraska Tennis Center in

Lincoln opened for business in lateDecember of 2005. The proposed 36-court complex (13 Indoor, 20 outdoorhard, three clay) opened six indoorcourts to begin the process, and istentatively slated for completion bythe end of 2006. The facility, locatedon 215 acres near the University ofNebraska, will be the largest tenniscomplex in the USTA/Missouri Valleywhen finished.

Omaha's Cameron Hubbs wasone half of the winning Girls' 18'sdoubles team at the Copper Bowl inJanuary in Tucson. She partnered withRebecca Parks of Tulsa, Okla., to winthe prestigious junior tournament.

OKLAHOMAThe Oklahoma District Tennis

Association (ODTA) inducted threenew members – Billy Buckley, TommyEnglish and Roger Jack – into its Hallof Fame at the district's annual meet-ing in December in Oklahoma City.More than 100 ODTA membersattended the meeting, held at WillowCreek Golf and Country Club.

ST. LOUISThe St. Louis District Tennis

Association (SLDTA) inducted threenew members – Lloyd Brown, DonDippold and Leigh Strassner – into itsHall of Fame at the District's AnnualAwards Dinner, Jan. 14, at the KnightCenter on the campus of WashingtonUniversity.

Jack Levis reached the finals ofthe Boys' 18's division at the CopperBowl in January in Tucson, Ariz. Leviswon five consecutive matches, includ-ing back-to-back three-set wins in thequarterfinals and semifinals, beforefalling to Bozhidar Katsarov of Ojai,Calif.

Previous CrossCourts can be downloaded at missourivalley.usta.com

6.0 ADULT MIXED1. Nebraska (Captain:Carvie Erwin), 2. Iowa,3. Oklahoma, 4. Heart ofAmerica, 5. Kansas.

7.0 ADULT MIXED1. Heart of America(Captain: Carol Bennett),2. Kansas, 3. Oklahoma,4. Nebraska, 5. Iowa, 6.St. Louis.

9.0 ADULT MIXED1. Kansas (Captain: Kimberly Blackman), 2. Heart of America,3. Nebraska, 4. Oklahoma, 5. St. Louis, 6. Iowa.

8.0 ADULTMIXED

1. Oklahoma(Captain: J. ScottDenne), 2. Iowa.Semifinalists:Heart of Americaand St. Louis.


3.0 MEN1. Nebraska (Captain: Myrle Giersch) , 2. Oklahoma,3. St. Louis, 4. Kansas, 5. Heart of America.

2.5 WOMEN1. Oklahoma (Tulsa/Captain: Mary Sanderlin),2. St. Louis, 3. Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), 4. Iowa.

3.0 WOMEN1. Heart of America (Captain: Pam Anthony), 2.Kansas, 3. Nebraska, 4. St. Louis, 5. Oklahoma.

3.5 WOMEN1. Iowa (Captain: Janice Koder), 2. St. Louis.Semifinalists: Heart of America and Kansas.

4.0 MEN1. St. Louis (Captain: Richard Papanek), 2. Kansas.Semifinalists: Oklahoma and Heart of America.

3.5 MEN1. Oklahoma (Captain: Jose Falcon), 2. Kansas. Semifinalists:Iowa and Heart of America.

4.0 WOMEN1. Kansas (Captain: Shannon Folck), 2.Nebraska. Semifinalists: Oklahoma andHeart of America.

4.5 WOMEN1. Heart of America (Captain: PattyFalke), 2. Oklahoma (Oklahoma City).Semifinalists: Missouri and Oklahoma(West).

4.5 MEN1. Heart of America (Captain: Michael Colbert), 2. Nebraska.Semifinalists: Missouri and Oklahoma.


5.0 WOMEN1. Heart of America (Captain: ChristineRadecic), 2. Oklahoma, 3. Heart of America.

5.0 MEN1. St. Louis (Captain: William Hornbarger),2. Kansas, 3. Oklahoma, 4. St. LouisWildcard.

3.0 SENIOR WOMEN1. St. Louis (Captain:Rose Albrecht), 2. Nebraska, 3. Heart ofAmerica, 4. Oklahoma, 5. Kansas.

3.0 SENIOR MEN1. Heart of America (Captain: John Weber), 2. Nebraska, 3. Oklahoma, 4. St. Louis, 5. Iowa.

3.5 SENIOR WOMEN1. Heart of America (Captain: Barbara Meigs), 2. Nebraska,3. Iowa, 4. St. Louis, 5. Kansas, 6. Oklahoma.

3.5 SENIOR MEN1. Iowa (Captain: Randall Hinrichs), 2. Kansas.Semifinalists: St. Louis and Oklahoma.

4.0 SENIOR MEN1. Kansas (Captain: Terry Cobb), 2. Oklahoma, 3. Nebraska, 4. Heart ofAmerica, 5. Iowa, 6. St. Louis.


4.0 SENIOR WOMEN1. Nebraska (Captain: Kristy Stave), 2. Oklahoma. Semifinalists: Kansas andHeart of America.

4.5 SENIOR WOMEN1. Oklahoma (Captain: Marcia Bennett), 2. Iowa, 3. Heart of America, 4. St. Louis.

4.5 SENIOR MEN1. Oklahoma (Captain: Charles Bond), 2. Kansas, 3. Nebraska, 4. Iowa, 5. St. Louis.

6.0 SUPER SR. MEN1. Nebraska (Captain: JohnReefe), 2. St. Louis, 3. Heartof America, 4. Oklahoma.

7.0 SUPERSR. WOMEN

1. Heart ofAmerica (Captain:Barbara Meigs), 2. Oklahoma, 3. St. Louis,4. Nebraska.

6.0 SUPER SR. WOMEN1. Oklahoma (Captain: DianeParks), 2. Nebraska, 3. Kansas.

7.0 SUIPER SR. MEN1. Heart of America (Captain: I.L. Malm), 2. Iowa, 3. Oklahoma,4. St. Louis, 5. Missouri, 6. Nebraska.

8.0 SUPERSR. MEN

1. Heart of America(Captain: Bob Bates),2. Iowa, 3. Nebraska,4. Oklahoma.

8.0 SUPERSR. WOMEN

1. Oklahoma(Captain: BrigittePennell), 2. St. Louis,3. Heart of America, 4. Iowa.


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