usta northern reorganizes staffassets.usta.com/assets/650/15/april 08.pdf · the director of junior...

USTA Northern Reorganizes StaffNow Divided Into Four Departments

Executive Director Mike Goldammer announced a major reorganization within USTA Northern effective January 1, 2008. USTA Northern is now divided into four depart-

ments including Outreach and Development, Junior Programs, Adult Programs and Business Development.

The biggest change is the promotion of Becky Cantellano to Director of Tennis Programs and Services. Cantellano will oversee and manage the newly created Outreach and Development Department, in addition to the Junior and Adult Programming units. All employees in these areas, as well as the Tennis Service Representative, will now report to Cantellano. She will also work with advocacy efforts including grants, as well as oversee all community-related communications from the department.

Assistant Executive Director Pat Colbert also takes on a new role overseeing the Business Development Staff includ-ing the Director of Administration, the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Director of Membership and Sales. Colbert will continue in his role with junior tennis as the Director of Junior Competition, which includes player development, player scholarships, junior tournaments and competition training centers. He will also have the Junior Teams Specialist position (Jr. Team Tennis, After School Tennis and QuickStart Tennis) report to him.

For a full breakdown of each staff member’s responsibili-ties, please see below.

USTA Northern StaffMike Goldammer (Executive Director) – Develop, Support and Supervise Staff; Develop and Monitor Budgets; Foster Board/Staff Relationships; Implement Board Policy; Oversee Customer Service and Support; Oversee Office Operations and Oversee Program DeliveryPat Colbert (Assistant Executive Director/Director of Junior Competition) – Supervise and Manage Business Development Staff; Oversee Business Development Budget; Oversee Player Development; Player Scholarships; Junior Tournaments and Competition Training CentersBecky Cantellano (Director of Tennis Programs and Services) – Supervise and Manage Outreach and Development, Junior Programs and Adult Programs Department; Oversee Budgets; Advocacy; Grants and Community Tennis CommunicationsHayley Horning Shibley (Tennis Service Representative) – Oversee Tennis Opportunities in Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota; Execute Community Profiles, Community Visits and Event Schedules in Region and Assist with Community Tennis Workshop

Outreach and Development DepartmentTony Stingley (Director of Training and Development) – School Tennis; Clinician Training; Diversity; Liaison to USPTA and PTR; Player Scholarships and Recreational Coach Workshops

Nancy Lundberg (Community Development Specialist/Adult Tournament Coordinator) – CTAs/NJTLs; Adaptive/Wheelchair; Community Tennis Workshop; Tennis in the Parks; Adult Tournaments and Aquatennial Plaza Tennis Invitational

Junior Programming DepartmentPat Colbert (Director of Junior Competition) – Player Development; Player Scholarships; Junior Tournaments and Competition Training CentersChristine Buysse (Junior Teams Specialist) – Jr. Team Tennis; After School Tennis including No-Cut Coaches, Middle School, Elementary and Intramurals and QuickStart TennisKristi Bushinski (Adult & Junior Programming Assistant) – Tournament Schedule; Rankings; Eligibility and Travel

Adult Programming DepartmentKara Johnson (Director of Adult Competition) – Section League Coordinator and Tennis on CampusUrsula Shute (Adult Specialist/Twin Cities Area League Coordinator) – Twin Cities Area League Coordinator and Adult Recreational Play including Corporate Tennis and World TeamTennisKristi Bushinski (Adult & Junior Programming Assistant) – Rankings; Eligibility; Matchline and Travel

Business Development DepartmentJames Poehler (Director of Administration) – Accounting; Payroll; Human Resources; Compliance; Risk Management and Information TechnologyLisa Mushett (Director of Marketing and Communications) – Marketing; Public Relations; Web site; Section Publications; Section Awards; Hall of Fame and Tennis Exhibitions/Special EventsSandy Smith (Director of Membership and Sales) – Membership (Individual and Organizational); Sales and SponsorshipsCory Haugen/Kelley Okerman (Administrative Assistant) – Assist Department Heads; Phone Service; Receptionist; Annual Meeting; Office Equipment and Supplies and US Open Tickets.

USTAnorthernNEWS

Visit us online at: www.northern.usta.com 25

ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8

Almost 200 people attended the 2007 Community Tennis Workshop November 16-18 at the Ramada/Grand Rios

Hotel in Brooklyn Park, Minn. This year marked the 10th Anniversary of the event which was themed TennisGiving. Internationally-renowned tennis mind Peter Burwash served as the keynote speaker of the event, where he talked about the state of the game.

The workshop opened on Friday with a Tournament Directors Workshop, followed by a New in ‘08 session that addressed all of the new programs and people making up USTA Northern. That was followed by two on-court sessions - the first called QuickStart Tennis which is a new format adopted by the USTA for beginning players, taught by Butch Staples, and the second, a PTR Workshop given by Jack Waite focusing on better doubles. Waite was a top doubles player on the ATP Tour for many years and has beaten the likes of Roger Federer, the Bryan Brothers and the Jensens. There were also a number of council and committee meeting during the day and a USTA Northern Board Meeting.

Saturday was the classroom portion of the weekend. After Burwash’s keynote address, participants had the chance to attend one of two seminars - Advocacy 101 by Stephanie Vance or Better Your Business by Mike Woody. During lunch was the USTA Northern Annual Meeting, featuring Trevor Kronemann from the USTA National Board. After lunch, attendees returned to the classroom for a number of different seminars before closing the evening with the 2007 USTA Northern Awards Banquet emceed by Dan Boulay.

Sunday was back on the court with sessions given by University of Minnesota women’s and men’s head coaches Tyler Thomson and Geoff Young, Brent Frueh of the Rochester Athletic Club and Bruce Gullikson, the 2007 USTA Northern Pro of the Year. Many great prizes were also given away on Sunday, including a number of tennis racquets and Section apparel.

Many Celebrate 10 Years Of Community Tennis Workshop

University of Minnesota tennis coaches Tyler Thomson (speaking) and Geoff Young did an on-court session for 75 people on Sunday.

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on

1001 West 98th Street, Suite 101Bloomington, MN 55431

(952) 887-5001 • (800) 536-6982Fax: (952) 887-5061

Kristi Bushinski (952-358-3280)Adult and Junior Tennis [email protected] Buysse (952-358-3290)Community Tennis Assistant/Jr. Team Tennis [email protected] Cantellano (952-358-3291)Community Development [email protected] Colbert (952-358-3283)Assistant Executive Director and Junior Competition [email protected] Egart (952-358-3292)Corporate and Collegiate Tennis [email protected] Goldammer (952-358-3284)Executive [email protected] Haugen (952-887-5001, ext. 110)Administrative [email protected] Johnson (952-358-3285)Adult Competition [email protected] Lundberg (952-358-3286)Community Tennis Assistant/Adult Tournament [email protected] Mushett (952-358-3282)Director of Marketing and [email protected] Okerman (952-887-5001, ext. 110)Administrative [email protected] Poehler (952-358-3281)Administration [email protected] Horning Shibley (952-358-3295)Tennis Service [email protected] Shute (952-358-3287)Twin Cities Area League [email protected] Smith (952-358-3288)Director of Membership and [email protected] Stingley (952-358-3289)Diversity [email protected]

STAFF DIRECTORY

26 tennislifemagazine april 2008

Kristi Bushinski (952-358-3280)Adult & Junior Programming [email protected]

Christine Buysse (952-358-3290)Junior Teams [email protected]

Becky Cantellano (952-358-3291)Director of Tennis Programs and [email protected]

Pat Colbert (952-358-3283)Assistant Executive Director/Director of Junior [email protected]

Mike Goldammer (952-358-3284)Executive [email protected]

Cory Haugen (952-887-5001, ext. 110)Administrative [email protected]

Kara Johnson (952-358-3285)Director of Adult [email protected]

Nancy Lundberg (952-358-3286)Community Development Specialist/Adult Tournament [email protected]

Lisa Mushett (952-358-3282)Director of Marketing and [email protected]

Kelley Okerman (952-887-5001, ext. 110)Administrative [email protected]

James Poehler (952-358-3281)Director of [email protected]

Hayley Horning Shibley (952-358-3295)Tennis Service Representative, Eastern ND & NW [email protected]

Ursula Shute (952-358-3287)Adult Specialist/Twin Cities League [email protected]

Sandy Smith (952-358-3288)Director of Membership & [email protected]

Tony Stingley (952-358-3289)Director of Training and [email protected]


Nike and the Swoosh Design are trademarks of Nike,Inc. and its affiliates, and are used under license.

All Junior Campers Receive Nike Tennis Shoes

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MinneapolisDirectors: Tyler Thomson & Geoff Young

WAYLAND ACADEMYBeaver Dam, WIDirector: John Powless

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOISUrbana-ChampaignDirectors: Brad Dancer, Michelle Dasso & Jim Tressler• Boys & Girls, Ages 9-18• All Ability Levels Welcome

USSportsCamps.com1-800-NIKE CAMP (1-800-645-3226)

OVERNIGHT & DAY CAMPSOVERNIGHT & DAY CAMPS

USTANoSectionYearbk1.qxd 1/16/08 4:30 PM Page 1

Visit PGA2009.com before April 13, 2008 and Register to Receive AdVAnce TickeTOffeRinGs for the 2009 PGA championship

A SpeciAl invitAtion to MeMberS of UStA nortHern

© 2008 The PGA of America. All rights reserved. The PGA Seal with the letters PGA is a trademark owned by The PGA of America. All other trademarks, registered trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.

2009 PGA championshipAugust 10-16, 2009Hazeltine national Golf clubchaska, Mn

USTA Pre-Register Ad.indd 1 1/30/08 2:44:15 PM

2007 Awards Banquet


USTA Northern honored the winners of 12 different awards, hailing from all corners of the Section at its annual awards banquet Saturday, Nov. 17, at the

Ramada/Grand Rios Hotel in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Dan Boulay served as emcee of the event. Here are the 2007 winners:

Kevin Whipple ( M i n n e a p o l i s , Minn.) – Kevin Whipple was the winner of the Albert Teeter Adult S p o r t s m a n s h i p Award given to the adult player who best displays fairness, is generous, is a good loser and a gracious winner. Whipple is one of the top singles and doubles players in USTA Northern, playing both USTA League Tennis and adult tournaments. He was a member of the men’s 5.0 adult team that advanced to Nationals in 2007, and has consistently been a top player in many of the Open division tournaments in the Section, including the Aquatennial Plaza Tennis Classic and the Minnesota Open.

Michael Sicora (Buffalo, Minn.) – Michael Sicora was the boys winner of the Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award given to the junior player who not only displays the finest qualities of sports-manship during tourna-ment play, but who also demonstrates exemplary conduct away from the court. The top-ranked player in Boys 18s for USTA Northern, Sicora is the reigning Junior Sectional Champion in Boys 18s and won the Minnesota State High School Singles Championship in 2006 as a sophomore at Buffalo High School. He plays Section and National tournaments and has qualified for a number of Junior Opens, Zonals, Intersection and Davis Cup teams since the age of 12. Named a National High School All-American in 2007, Sicora won the Sportsmanship Award at the Winter USTA National Open in 2006.

Laura Johnson (Northfield, Minn.) – Laura Johnson was the girls winner of the Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award. She has participated in a number of USTA Programs

Albert Teeter Adult Sportsmanship Award – Kevin Whipple (Minneapolis, Minn)

Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award – Michael Sicora (Buffalo, Minn.)

Jerry Noyce Junior Sportsmanship Award – Laura Johnson (Northfield, Minn.)

Ward C. Burton Junior Development Award – Jim Scholtz (Yankton, S.D.)

Frank Voigt Pro of the Year – Bruce Gullikson (Burnsville, Minn.)

Member Organization of the Year – Brandon Tennis Association (Brandon, S.D.)

Jack Dow Adult Development Award – Carol Chervany (New Brighton, Minn.)

Family of the Year – Joe, Cindy, Carl, Emily, Andy and

Heidi Walz (Aitkin, Minn.)

Wolfenson/Ratner Community Service Award – George Erickson (Eveleth, Minn.)

Bob Larson Media Excellence Award – Jill Meier and the

Brandon Valley Challenger (Brandon, S.D.)

Ace Award – Nancy Lundberg (Owatonna, Minn.) and

Lisa Mushett (Apple Valley, Minn.)

President’s Award – Mike Goldammer (Rosemount, Minn.)

2007 USTA Northern Award Winners

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on


including Jr. Team Tennis, tournaments and NJTL Regional Rallies. After hav-ing major back surgery in 2006, she has twice played on Jr. Team Tennis squads who have finished in the top-four of the Section. She played varsity ten-nis at Northfield High School and currently is an Aquinas Scholar at St. Thomas University. She volunteers as an instruc-tor with a Northfield community outreach pro-

gram that serves the Hispanic population and was a 2007 Section winner of the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. She has also volunteered for many USTA events over the years in different capacities.

Jim Scholtz (Yankton, S.D.) – The Ward C. Burton Junior Development Award is given to the individual or orga-nization whom has promoted the growth of tennis for juniors and served the junior tennis community in USTA Northern. Jim Scholtz oversees the Yankton Tennis Association Board and activities and maintains the Web page. He developed and has managed the local Jr. Team Tennis program for three years, and in 2007, was named the USTA Northern Jr. Team Tennis Organizer of the Year. He has orga-nized tournaments and leagues for both adults and juniors in the area, including the Lewis and Clark Tournament held each August. He has secured sponsorship for the Yankton

Tennis Association Annual Tournament and Jr. Team Tennis in the area and spearheads donation drives to improve the local ten-nis facilities. This summer, a shelter was built at the Yankton courts and a proj-ect providing shade to the existing bleachers is in the works. He also assists with the University of South Dakota tennis teams.

Bruce Gullikson (Burnsville, Minn.) – Bruce Gullikson was the winner of the Frank Voigt Professional of the Year

Award, which goes to a tennis teaching professional who demonstrates leadership skills on and off the court. A head teaching pro at Life Time Fitness the last 20 years, Gullikson has touched players on all levels. He has coached many of the Section’s best junior players at Zonals, as well as at High Performance and Junior Competition Training Centers. He has also worked with many of the Section’s league players, sending many teams to Nationals. A former USPTA Northern Section president, Gullikson is responsible for continuing education with the group, bringing in the nation’s best teaching professionals for others to learn from and grow. He is also a major contributor to the USTA’s goal of recruiting new players, retaining them and getting people to become frequent players. He also volunteers his time as he has been involved with the following organizations: Children’s Heartlink Pro-Am, Special Olympics, Pine Tree Apple Classic, Cub Scouts, Cystic Fibrosis, ALS Foundation, the Tim and Tom Gullickson Foundation and the Susan G. Koman Foundation, among others.

Carol Chervany (New Brighton, Minn.) – The Jack Dow Adult Development Award, which honors the indi-vidual whose efforts have had the greatest impact on improving adult com-petitive and recreational play for that year, goes to Carol Chervany. A USTA League captain since 1992, she has been a vol-unteer, a league coordina-tor, organized ratings clin-ics, helped at area tourna-ments and planned mixers the last 15 years. She has made tremendous contributions in helping adults find opportunities to play tennis in the Twin Cities area as she has captained over 30 USTA League Tennis teams on all levels, touching over 500 players.

George Erickson (Eveleth, Minn.) – George Erickson received the Wolfenson/Ratner Community Service Award given to the person for his or her outstanding fieldwork in recreational tennis. It is also awarded for significant contributions in developing community-based tennis pro-grams through community centers, schools, parks and Community Tennis Associations. Erickson has contributed both tremendous time and financial resources in spearhead-ing the new Quad Cities Tennis For All indoor facility in Virginia, Minn., which celebrated its grand opening October 28. He has spent time applying for grants, attending service club meetings, researching other indoor facilities and run-ning raffles to make the community’s dream come true. He also plays in adult, senior and mixed doubles leagues and volunteers coaching the junior high boys and girls tennis teams in Virginia. His service has made the dreams of 200 junior players in the area come true as the community has implemented beginning programs, Jr. Team Tennis, Junior High and High School Tennis and USTA League Tennis.

Brandon Tennis Association (Brandon, S.D.) – The Brandon Tennis Association was the 2007 Member Organization of the Year recognizing its outstanding service and setting the standards in which all organizations should

ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8


strive to achieve. Under the leadership of Becky Blue, the BTA spearheaded an effort to develop and build an eight-court tennis complex that opened in June. Immediately, adult leagues and summer tennis opportunities for junior players were implemented. The BTA fielded Jr. Team Tennis squads and organized a USTA Tennis Block Party in 2007, and have plans for adult and junior tournaments in ‘08. The new courts also allow the Brandon schools to implement a No-Cut Policy for its players. The group raised more than $200,000 in private donations, almost $60,000 from the USTA through grants and $120,000 from the school board.

The Joe, Cindy, Carl, Emily, Andy and Heidi Walz Family – The Walz Family, of Aitkin, Minn., was the 2007 USTA Northern Family of the Year. The award honors a family that has been outstanding in promoting tennis both on and off the court. Joe and Cindy became interested in tennis when their children Andy, Emily and Carl started playing the sport in the 90s. There was a girls team at Aitkin, but the boys team was intramural until 1998 when Andy and Carl played on the first varsity team. After winning the 1999 Sub-Sectional title, Carl was tragically killed in a car accident. It was then Joe and Cindy dedicated themselves to promoting the good sportsmanship, love and passion that Carl had for the game. They first dedicated a hitting wall to the Aitkin tennis courts adorned with the words “Tennis Begins With Love, in memory of Carl Walz.” The family then set up tennis camp scholarships in Carl’s name, which have been given to countless numbers of kids the past eight years.

Cindy serves as head girls tennis coach at Aitkin and was named the 2007 MSHSL Section 7A Coach of the Year. She also coaches the the JV boys team. Joe, an emergency room doctor, works the night shift in the spring so he can coach the Aitkin boys team and volunteer as a coach for the girls pro-gram. Both teams have a No-Cut Policy. They also organize Jr. Team Tennis and adult programs in the summer, and this year started the Carl Walz Memorial Tennis Tournament.

Youngest daughter, Emily, played on the varsity team since 8th grade and attended Tennis & Life Camps at Gustavus. Now the family attends Tennis and Life Camps yearly and Emily is an instructor. She is a student at the University of Minnesota.

Their son, Andy, who works for Wilderness Inquiry, helped start the boys program at Aitkin where he lettered and helped run summer programs. The family is currently raising money to build a new classrooms and an administration building in Kenya, while also teaching tennis to the natives. Andy’s wife, Heidi, started playing tennis when she met Andy in 1998 and has supported the family in its efforts.

Jill Meier and the Brandon Valley Challenger (Brandon, S.D.) – Jill Meier and the Brandon Valley Challenger are the winners of the 2007 Bob Larson Media Excellence Award given to a newspa-per, television or radio person who has provided exem-plary coverage in the Section. This is the first year that the award has been named in honor of Bob Larson of Edina, Minn., a long-time tennis journalist and USTA Northern Hall of Famer, who is the editor of www.dailytennis.com.

Meier and the Brandon Valley Challenger have supported Brandon’s efforts in building a new eight-court tennis com-plex which was completed in the summer of ’07. Meier is the editor of the community’s weekly paper and is consistently present at all of the Brandon Tennis Association’s events, as well as the high school matches. She has written editorials about the Brandon Tennis Association and all it was trying to accomplish, bringing in additional donations to the cause.

Nancy Lundberg (Owatonna, Minn.)/Lisa Mushett (Apple Valley, Minn.) – Nancy Lundberg and Lisa Mushett are the 2007 winners of the Ace Award given to the USTA Northern Staff Member who has gone above and beyond during the year. Lundberg is the Community Development Specialist for the section and oversees commu-nity outreach, adaptive and wheelchair tennis, CTAs/NJTLs, the Community Tennis Workshop, Adult Tournaments and the Aquatennial. Mushett is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Section and works with all section publications and the Web site, is the director of the Hall of Fame dinner and was the tournament director for the USTA Northern Women’s Professional Tournament. Both Lundberg and Mushett started with the Section in February of 2004.

Mike Goldammer (Rosemount, Minn) – Mike Goldammer is the 2007 winner of the President’s Award given by the President of USTA Northern to the person who has helped him or her the most during the year. Goldammer is the Executive Director of USTA Northern and has been with the Section for over 12 years.

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on

USTA League and JTT Section News


Are You In? Play Jr. Team Tennis

USTA Jr. Team Tennis is the largest junior recreational tennis league in the country. This is the “Little League” for tennis. As the players grow in to their skills, the format is adapted to best meet their needs. It is a combination of practice and match play with an emphasis on skill development, fun, teamwork and friendly competition. The local season con-

sists of competing against other area teams of similar age and ability level. Teams can choose to participate in a Championship series and try to advance all the way to a National Championship!

Last year, almost 2,000 kids participated in USTA Northern JTT, up 25 percent. Of the 159 teams that participated, 67 were from outside of the Twin Cities and 95 of those team participated in Section Championships.

There are five levels of JTT beginning with the 8-and-under and 10-and-under groups which incorporate the new QuickStart format. There are also novice, intermediate and advanced divisions for 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 18-and-under players.

Teams are coed and consist of at least six players, three boys and three girls, based on similar ages and skill levels. Matches include boys singles, girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles, and mixed doubles and all matches are determined by a total-games-won format.

For more information, please visit www.northernjtt.com or contact Christine Buysse at [email protected] or at (952) 358-3290.

Summer Registration Happening Now For USTA League Tennis presented by Chrysler

USTA League Tennis presented by Chrysler is the world’s largest recreational tennis league providing organized, structured team matches for more than 500,000 men and women of all ability levels around the country. Teams consist of all women, all men or mixed doubles and because they are set up according to the National Tennis Rating

Program (NTRP), you’re always sure that you’ll be facing off against someone of comparable ability. The program is open to women and men 19 years of age and older. Adult (19+), Senior (50+), Mixed Doubles, Super

Senior (60+) and Tri-Level programs feature a USTA Northern Championship. This all culminates in an exciting National Championship for each skill level in places like Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz.

Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced player, this program has a place for you. There’s no better way to have fun and make friends while playing the game you love.

To learn more about local leagues in your area, please contact your Area League Coordinator listed below.

What Can An Area League Coordinator Do For You?USTA League Tennis Area Coordinators are your greatest resource for guidance and information. Whether you play Adult, Senior, Super Senior or Mixed Doubles, USTA League Coordinators help with rules, regulations, sportsman-ship and any other day-to-day issues or concerns that may surface during your season. USTA League Coordinators can help you find a team or search for new players.

Section League CoordinatorKara Johnson, (952) 358-3285e-mail: [email protected] Dale Nurnbirg e-mail: [email protected] Duluth Joe Mihalek, (715) 392-7405 e-mail: [email protected] Eau Claire Deb Freund, (715) 877-2228 e-mail: [email protected] Fargo Hayley Horning Shibley, (701) 306-8997 e-mail: [email protected]

Grand ForksPatrick Anderson (701) 787-8839e-mail: [email protected] Shore Lee Bergstrom, (218) 370-1062 e-mail: [email protected] Owatonna Nancy Lundberg, (952) 358-3286 e-mail: [email protected] Rapid City Lori Edwards. (605) 343-7720e-mail: [email protected] Helen Flanery, (605) 355-9055e-mail: [email protected]

Rochester Sheryl Warfield, (507) 282-1013 e-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.thisisyourleague.com/rochestersouthernminnesotaSioux Falls Erin Elshami, (605) 366-3912 e-mail: [email protected] site: www.sfta.net Twin Cities Ursula Shute (952) 358-3287 e-mail: [email protected] site: www.yourleaguetwincities.com Washburn Ximena Christianson, (715) 373-2531 e-mail: [email protected]

USTA Northern Area League Coordinators

ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8

USTA NORTHERN NEWS, ACTIVITIES & HAPPENINGS


UND WellNess CeNter NameD INDoor mUltI-PUrPose FaCIlIty oF the year

The University of North Dakota Wellness Center in Grand Forks, N.D., was one of four facilities, nationally, receiving the 2007 Racquet Sports Industry Magazine/American Sports Builders Association Facility of the Year Award. The UND Wellness Center, built by general contractors Gaukol Builders and Paul Jensen and specialty contractor Kiefer Specialty Flooring, Inc., was named the Indoor Multi-Purpose Facility of the Year.

mIChael lyNNe’s teNNIs shoP NameD rsI’s 2007 retaIler oF the year

Michael Lynne’s Tennis Shop in St. Louis Park, Minn., was named RSI Magazine’s 2007 Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year. The shop, built in 1990, is owned and operated by Michael and Mimzy Lynne.

GUstavUs’ steve WIlkINsoN WINs Usta/Ita CamPUs reCreatIoN aWarD

Gustavus Adolphus’ men’s tennis coach Steve Wilkinson is the national win-ner of the USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award and was honored December 15 at the ITA Coaches Convention at the Naples Grande Resort and Spa in Naples, Fla. The USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award honors an ITA coach who has done an outstanding job implementing the USTA’s Tennis on Campus program

or similar recreational tennis programs in an effort to grow tennis participation within the campus community.

Usta NortherN moUrNs the Death oF laCh reeD

USTA Northern Hall of Famer Arthur Lachlan Reed passed away November 8, 2007, at the age of 90, follow-ing a brief illness at his home in Palm Beach, Fla. His wife of 63 years, Martha Sweatt Reed, preceded him in death in 2005. Reed co-founded InnerCity Tennis (originally

Northwestern Tennis Patrons), an organization devoted to helping youth build character, competence and com-mitment for personal and community improvement. InnerCity Tennis has developed a second chapter in the Palm Beaches, Fla., area. Together, these two programs enroll approximately 5,000 children. Reed was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame in 1987 and built the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in South Minneapolis with his wife Martha.

lUverNe IsD reCeIves $50,000 GraNt

Luverne Public School District #2184 in Luverne, Minn., was awarded a $50,000 Tennis in the Parks Public Facility Funding Matching Grant for eight new tennis courts in its community. Since 2005, the USTA has contributed over 4.3 million in matching facility grants to 129 agencies building or renovating 972 courts.

INNerCIty teNNIs reCeIves “aCes For kIDs” GraNt

InnerCity Tennis in Minneapolis was one of 24 organizations receiving an “Aces for Kids” grant from the USTA Tennis and Education Foundation. InnerCity Tennis received a $15,000 matching grant.

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on


4.5 BostoN sCIeNtIFIC team WINs Wtt NatIoNal ChamPIoNshIP

The 4.5 team from Boston Scientific won the 4.5 World TeamTennis National Championship in Indian Wells, Calif., while the 3.5 team was second and the 4.0 team third. The Boston Scientific 4.5 team defeated Pallenburg Wealth Management of Ottawa, Canada, in the finals. Members of the winning team included John Leehy, captain Mathan Krishnappan, Tanya Kvam, Cammie Wadman-Day, Eric Mokelke and Amy Lamparske.

Members of the runner-up 3.5 team include Kella Prill, Eric Bailey, USTA Northern Board member Kathy Lundberg, Ken Gutzman and captain Anu Kamath.

The 4.0 team included captain Craig Abrahamson, Cynthia Mattice, Marina Taubenberger and Derek Shaw.

Usta NortherN PartICIPates IN hmoNG amerICaN NeW year CeleBratIoN

USTA Northern helped ring in the New Year with the Hmong-American community December 29-30 at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis by setting up temporary courts and mini-nets on the very field that the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and MLB’s Minnesota Twins

play. Hundreds of kids tried their hand at tennis as mem-bers of the USTA Northern Diversity Council, as well as the St. Paul Harding High School boys and girls tennis teams assisted the kids. The kids also received informa-tion about tennis programming opportunities available to them around Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Hmong-American New Year Celebration started in 1998, and is attended by thousands of Hmong families from around the United States.

BoB WIllIams WINs DelaINe mast aWarDTwin Cities World TeamTennis Coordinator Bob Williams

was the male winner of the Delaine Mast Award recognizing a WTT coordinator who contributes to the growth of tennis and WTT, as well as being a leader and role model in their local tennis community.

CaPItal raCqUet aND FItNess holDs ChrIstmas soCIal aND toy DrIve

Capital Racquet and Fitness in Bismarck, N.D., hosted a junior social and adult tournament in December which included a toy drive for the Burleigh/Morton County Foster Care Program in Bismarck. This year’s event garnered 81 toys for the program.

ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8


Congratulations To USTA Northern Fall State High School Champions

mINNesotaEdina High School won its 11th

consecutive Class AA team title, while Mounds Park Academy won its first-ever title in Class A at the 2007 Minnesota State Girls High School Tournament October 24-27, at the Baseline Tennis Center and the Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis. Edina won its 26th overall title with a 7-0 win in the finals over Mounds View. In the opening round, Edina defeated Elk River, 6-1, before beating Rochester Mayo in the semifinals 4-3.

Mounds Park Academy opened the tournament with a 4-3 win over Rochester Lourdes. MPA then defeated Staples-Motley, 4-3, before edging St. James in the finals, 4-3, for its first-ever championship.

Individually, Burnsville senior Niltooli Wilkins won the Class AA Singles Championship, while Class A champion Alexa Palen cruised through her draw in winning the title. Wilkins defeated ninth grader Aria Lambert of Minnetonka in the finals in a three-set thriller that lasted over three hours 6-1, 6-7, 7-6. Palen had a much easier route in win-ning her first state championships. She lost only nine games all tournament and closed it out with a 6-1, 6-2 win over

teammate Courtney Rust.In doubles, sophomores

Erin Kappers and Emilie Renault of Rochester Mayo won their first AA title with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win over eighth graders Melanie Yates and Tacy Lay of Mounds View. In Class A, Mounds Park Academy senior Beth Larson and sophomore Amber Washington won their second straight state title with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Nikki Stenzel and Danielle Munsterman of St. James.

North DakotaGrand Forks Red River won its 10th straight title at

the 2007 North Dakota Boys State Tennis Tournament September 27-29 at Center Court Fitness in Grand Forks. Red River defeated Bismarck Century, 4-1, in the finals, winning its 107th consecutive dual match.

Bismarck sophomore Grant Bakke won his first-ever North Dakota state singles title, beating Michael Kraft of Grand Forks Red River 6-2, 6-4 for the title. Sophomore Jake LaDouceur and Tyler Davis of Grand Forks Red River defeated teammates Ayman Ahmed and Phil Yunker 6-3,

6-4 in winning the state doubles championship. LaDouceur won his second state doubles title after winning two years ago with Kraft. It was Davis’ first individual state title.

soUth DakotaSioux Falls

O ’ G o r m a n won the South Dakota Girls State Team title and also claimed six individual state championships at the 2007 t o u r n a m e n t in Sioux Falls. O’Gorman won the team title with 732 points, outdistancing second-place finisher and last year’s champion Rapid City Stevens who had 559 points. Sioux Falls Roosevelt was third with 531 points.

In the individual finals, Theresa Petrasko of O’Gorman won the Flight 1 championships with a 7-6, 7-5 win over Hannah Gebauer of Sioux Falls Lincoln. O’Gorman’s Meg Townsend won Flight 2 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Sarah Hamre of Roosevelt. In Flight 3, Hannah Vandemark of O’Gorman defeated Stevens’ Kaitlyn Wright 6-2, 6-2. Erin Hoffman of O’Gorman won Flight 4 defeating Paula Steinebach of Roosevelt 6-0, 6-1. O’Gorman’s Chandler Nielsen won Flight 5 with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Sydney Moyle of Stevens. Kelly Feehan of Stevens defeated Katie Schwebach of O’Gorman in a thriller 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

In doubles, Kristi Meyers and Hamre defeated Petrasko and Townsend in Flight 1 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. In Flight 2, Vandemark and Hoffman won with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over Paluch and Moyle. Watertown’s Shealyn Bakke and Morgan DeLange won Flight 3 with a 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 win over Nielsen and Schwebach. In South Dakota, six singles champions are crowned - one per flight - and three doubles winners.

WIsCoNsINTessa Lang of Chippewa Falls High School won her

first Wisconsin State Singles Championship at the Nielsen Tennis Center in Madison, Wis. Lang finished her senior season with a perfect 25-0 record after upending top-seeded Lauren Gruber of Whitefish Bay 6-4, 6-2 in the finals.

Lang posted a 55-1 record over the last two years, with her only loss coming to Gruber in the 2006 state finals. She is the first girl from Chippewa Falls to win a state tennis cham-pionship and the first not from the Milwaukee area to win the state crown since 1994.

Niltooli Wilkins

Erin Kappers and Emilie Renault

2007 Team Champions: Sioux Falls O’Gorman

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on

Junior NewsUSTA Northern Starts Northern Stars Program

USTA Northern is introducing an exciting new high performance pro-

gram aimed at boys and girls 10 and under in hopes of developing the next US Open champion. Players will meet six times through-out the year at various facili-ties throughout USTA Northern, including our August session, which will be on the clay courts at the Rochester Athletic Club in Rochester, Minn.

The original group of 10 boys and 10 girls were cho-sen based on a number of criteria and player evaluations done by the three coaches who will work with the pro-gram: head coach Felicia Tebon, Ryan Myhre and Mark Muntifering.

Members of the 2008 Northern Stars ProgramCharlie Adkins (Maple Grove, Minn.), Kylie Boyer

(Rochester, Minn.), Jack Cerhan (Rochester, Minn.), Kristina Conrad (Plymouth, Minn.), Hayley Haakenstad (Chanhassen, Minn.), Megan Jans (Rochester, Minn.), Jacob Kuhlman (Grand Forks, N.D.), Natalie Lorentz (St. Louis Park, Minn.), Alexis Nelson (St. Paul, Minn.), Floyd Penners (Minneapolis, Minn.), Sophia Reddy (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Kevin Rustad (Rochester, Minn.), Lars Scannell (Grand Marais, Minn.), Joseph Tarvestad (Rochester, Minn.), Theresa Tebon (Excelsior, Minn.,), Steffi Tetzloff (Rochester, Minn.), Oriana Vile (Rochester, Minn.), Sebastian Vile (Rochester, Minn.), Nicolas Villarraga (Rochester, Minn.) and Greg Wischer (Grand Forks, N.D.).

other JUNIor NeWs…Alexa Palen and Brittany Faber Win National 16 Open Titles

Alexa Palen (Rochester, Minn.) won the singles title at the 2007 USTA National Girls 16s Open November 25 at LifeTime Fitness – Lakeville, while Minnetonka’s Brittney Faber teamed with Dorothy Safron of New York City to win the doubles crown. Palen defeated Anna Mamalat of Philadelphia in the finals 6-3, 6-1, while Faber and Safron had an easy time with Samantha Lieb of Newton, Pa., and Tessa Lyons of Wallingford, Pa., in the finals, winning 8-2.

Ingrid Neel Wins National 9s Little Mo TitleIngrid Neel (Rochester, Minn.) won the Girls 9s National

Title at the 2007 Little Mo National Tournament October 19-22 at the Austin Tennis Academy in Austin, Texas. It marks the second consecutive year, Neel, 9, has won a Little Mo Championship, as she was the winner of the Girls 8s crown in 2006.

Neel opened the tournament with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Ariadna Riley of Macon, Ga. She then won her second round match 6-0, 6-0 against Madalyn Bauer of Shorewood, Ill. In the semifinal, the #1 seed defeated Usue Arconada,

the fourth seed, of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 6-2, 6-4, before handling third-seeded Karina Vyrlan of Antelope, Calif., 6-2, 7-5 for the championship.

Life Time Fitness – Moore Lake Finishes Fifth At JTT Nationals

Life Time Fitness - Moore Lake placed fifth in the advanced divi-sion and Sioux Falls was ninth at the 2007 Jr. Team Tennis 18-and-Under National Championships October 26-28 at the El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz. Members of the Moore Lake team included Dusty Boyer, Cami Czech, Marcel Gyswyt, Katie Johnson, Anne Marie Lieser, Wyatt McCoy, Scott Sundstrom and head coach Brian McCoy. The Sioux Falls team included Erin Hoffman, Anthony Rauschenbach, Taylor Reaves, Hans Tanner, Ryan Wood, Anna Young and head coach Jeff Nelson.

Virginia was 13th in the Intermediate draw, while Sioux Falls was 14th in the Advanced tournament at the 14-and-under tournament October 11-14 at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador in Tucson, Ariz. Members of Virginia’s squad were Hailey Brinkman, Travis Eddy, Jace Friedlieb, Celsea Marquis, Cody Mauston, John Morgan, Caley Westin and head coach Dave Gunderson.

The Sioux Falls team had Michaela Kouri, Nicholas Magera, Pierce McDowell, Alex Millard, Collin Noldner, Rauschenbach, Margaret Townsend, Hannah Vandemark and Nelson on the roster. Sioux Falls also claimed the team Sportsmanship Award while in Tucson.

29 Twin Cities Juniors Receive Scholarships From Greater Twin Cities Tennis Association

The Greater Twin Cities Tennis Association (GTCTA) recently awarded 29 junior tennis players from the seven-county metropolitan area with the GTCTA Indoor Program Scholarship.

The scholarship awardees for 2008 are: Anoka County: Amy Johnson; Dakota County: Sebastian Beerman, Michelle Boateng, John Paul Pinero, Bridget Doyle, Kasey Knoll, Haley Sadowski; Hennepin County: Katie Elifson, Luke Elifson, Rae Millikan, Nick Ribar, Sam Klein, Cindy Zhang; Ramsey County: Thoa Phet, David Hoang, Kyle Kapaun, Ke Rithseiha, Tacy Lay, Tou Le, Asha Tao, Leng Vang, Kong Vu; Scott County: Eric Hammerschmidt, Justin Hammerschmidt, Ermi Asfaw ; Washington County: Dillon Anderson, Austin Kringle, Isaac Youngquist.

Ingrid Neel

©20

07 y

ourg

amef

ace.

com


ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8


Candid and cordial con-gratulations to Mike and Mimzy Lynne, proprietors of Michael Lynne’s Tennis Shop in St. Louis Park for winning Racquet Sports Industry’s Tennis Retailer of the Year Award!

Cindy Sherman of Racquet Sports Industry writes: “It’s this winning

combination of service, selection, sales and more that makes Michael Lynne’s Tennis Shop RSI’s Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year.”

A few of the reasons for their success:• Customer service always comes first• Have a well-informed staff• Lots of hard work and dedicationWe agree. This 1,700 square-foot tennis shop is simply an

ace in any court!

Courtside Conversation: Sally (to Dad): “I’m sure you’ll like Jack…he’s a very nice young man.” Dad: “Can he play ten-nis?” Sally: “Oh, you men are all alike. He asked the same thing about you.”

Baseline Briefs: Mickey Maule is the new Vice President (Northern) for Babalot…Tom Lyden, Fox 9 reporter, has resolved to improve his backhand in the New Year…Mark Alevizos, Washburn H.S. and Air Force star, is now with H.E. Edwards Services in Minneapolis…Bob Larson’s new junior tennis news Web site is juniortennisnews.com…Diane Kenney, Ebenezer Fund VP; Diane Palmquist, SAP Products VP (Softbrands); Deborah Atterberry, Resource, Inc., President; Dee Gaeddert, Lominger and Leadersource COO; and Tim Reardon, Bridge for Runaway Youth Executive Director, are all dedicated tennis players.

“Doolallies” From Frank Jamisen: US Open – a real cool place because of all the fans; Tennis – like social circles, an activity with lots of ins and outs; Racketeer – a dishonest tennis player.

High Fives To: Gustavus coach Steve Wilkinson, national winner of the USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award…the Vikings have named Brad Madson, former Gopher player, Executive Director of Community Relations/Youth Football…Wisconsin’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has named the following fall athletes of the week in ten-nis: Kozue Matsumoto, River Falls; Sara Riordan and Gina Dahl, Eau Claire; Amy Siemon, Whitewater; Carlie Bohrman and Sarah Schoenwaelder, LaCrosse; Katie Lynn Anderson and Mindy Rudiger, River Falls; Ingrid Stensvaag, Whitewater; Rachel Benn and Emily Riordan, Stevens Point…Bruce Gullikson and Greg Hiers were voted top educational participants at the USPTA World Conference at Wesley Chapel, Fla.…Carol Chervany of

New Brighton won the USTA Northern Jack Dow Senior Development Award…Ryan Skanse is a new Gustavus Hall of Fame member…Dave Steinbach, Brookfield, Wis., is the new USPTA High School Coach of the Year…Players of the Week awards selected by Twin Cities newspapers are Dana Van Bruggen, Buffalo; Niltooli Wilkins, Burnsville; Taylor Washington, Mounds Park; Michelle Weerasinghe, Edina; Toni Simones and Emily Engelmeier, South St. Paul.

From Jodi Johnson, St. Paul: I read recently an article in a national magazine about a rift between John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. The top tennis greats had actu-ally stopped speaking to each other. The article was title “Silence of the Hams.”

Around the Courts: Edina’s Mardy Fish, who played for the Houston Wranglers in the World TeamTennis League, was defeated by Jarkko Niemenen of Finland 3-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of the ’08 Australian Open…Bryan Kelly, Minnesota Class A Champion, has earned a spot on the Notre Dame tennis team as a walk-on…Andrea Pintar, Eden Prairie, has graduated from the University of California - Santa Barbara and is now a teaching pro at the Beverly Hills Country Club…Jon Henning was recently named Head Coach at Hamline University…St. Paul’s Pat Luebsdorf, now of Oslo, Norway, sends this e-mail: “I’m gonna make a comeback!”…former Gopher star Ted Kauffmann is now a photographer in Racine, Wis.…Travis Helgeson, son of former Gopher Kent Helgeson, is ranked #5 in the ITA rankings…former state champion Justin Gaard is a producer and announcer for KFAN Radio in the Twin Cities.

Say What: Tennis vincit omnia! (Tennis Conquers All!)

In Memoriam: Belated sympathy to the families of old hitting partners, tennis friends and club members – Judie Ness, Minneapolis; Bruce Blindman, Minnetonka; Dave Cartwright, St. Paul; Geneva Gerischer, Minneapolis; Thomond O’Brien, St. Paul; Nancy Porter, Edina; Mark Knuesel, St. Paul; Haig Tufenk, St. Paul; Jack Finkelstein, St. Paul; Bob Keller, Minneapolis; Helen Omodt, Minneapolis; Dianne Huebner, Plymouth; Tony Zigneigo, Excelsior; Bob Magnuson, Stillwater; John Mutschler, Edina; Bob Anderson, Long Lake; Doris Lizee, Excelsior; Dennis Johnson, Remer, Deno Geanakopios, Minneapolis; Wilson Godfrey, Edina; Jack Adams, Robbinsdale; Dale Sheppard, Kenosha; Bernie Larson, Richfield; Leikny Kavoukjian, Minneapolis; Eloise Jaeger, St. Anthony – first woman in the nation to direct a major university (Minnesota) School of Physical Education; Lachlan Reed, Wayzata, who co-founded InnerCity Tennis, perhaps his most satisfying accomplishment.

Courtside Cheerleader: There’s a player in Kalamazoo who cheers on the varsity tennis crew; he shrieks and he hollers for his fellow court scholars. Coach calls it a hullabaloo!”

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on

Racquet RamblingswithGreg Wicklund

Volunteer Spotlight


Q. How did you become involved in tennis? A. I played casual tennis until my son turned 14. He became serious about junior tennis which got me into tennis in a big way.

Q. What is your involvement with tennis now? A. I play on two league teams and with friends on a regular basis.

Q. How did you become a tennis volunteer? A. I was asked to help out with the USTA

Q. When I am not playing tennis, I am… A. Working or spending time on another board I am involved with. I am also an expert couch potato.

Q. What is the best thing about tennis? A. Tennis is about more than just hitting a ball over the net. There really is a tennis community that serves like the old neighborhood when I grew up. My friends are tennis players. Not only do I get exercise, I get a chance to engage with people I enjoy being with.

Q. What is the most fun you have had involving tennis? A. The highlight of my tennis life is still going to junior tournaments with my son and living vicariously through

him. Now I really enjoy league play, particularly the challenge of figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of players I have not faced before.

Q. To make tennis better, we should? A. Continue to help build more courts.

Q. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? A. I am still continually amazed by the power of organiza-tion. People coming together and planning can accomplish great things. It is still fun for me to work with others for the shear pleasure of helping the community. I feel good using my modest talents to help build something.

Q. What can we do to get more tennis volunteers? A. I really believe most people will volunteer when asked to. We need to continually ask more tennis folks to get involved.

Q. What goals does the USTA Northern Board of Directors have in growing the game?A. Our main goal is to do exactly that…Grow the Game! We do that by getting more people involved at a young age. We do that by providing more opportunities for people who have left the game to get back involved. Most importantly, we do that by doing all we can to facilitate the construction of more indoor and outdoor courts.

Q. What would you say to someone who is interested in serving on the Board in the future?A. It is a wonderful opportunity to help build tennis. It is good for the game. It is also an invigorating experience to connect with others so dedicated to give something back to our community and the sport.

Name: Jeffrey Baill

Age: 52

Born: Detroit, Michigan

Education: University of Michigan - Bachelor of General Studies; Hamline University School of Law

People Who Have Influenced Me the Most: My Parents

Family Members: Heidi-wife, Andrew and Margot

Hobbies: Tennis, Guitar, Reading

Occupation: Attorney

ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8

Pro File Marc Stingley

Q. How were you introduced to tennis? A. All in the family. When your dad has a radio moniker such as “The Tennis Guy,” it’s easy to assume he had some-thing to do with me getting into tennis.Q. What is your earliest tennis memory?A. When I was six, I hit my instructor in the face while practicing overheads. I was sent to the naughty bench.Q. Name some of your tennis achievements?A. All-Conference in high school (St. Paul Central) and College (Winona State) … ranked Top-15 in singles and Top-5 in doubles as a junior in USTA Northern … beating Roy Emerson, even though he’s over 40 years older than me.Q. What is the best thing about being a teaching pro?A. Working with children – it’s the only reason I teach, and always will be.Q. How long have you been a teaching professional?A. I started teaching with St. Paul Urban Tennis in 1995 when I was 15. I’ve been an instructor ever since, and picked up my professional certification in 2001. Q. Who are the people who have influenced you the most?A. Outside of my family, the late Fred Wells has been my biggest influence. I hope to always be affiliated with his cause of helping kids in need through tennis. All the other teaching pros I’ve been fortunate to have contact with over the years, especially my co-workers, I appreciate their input and dedication more than they know.Q. What is your best tennis memory?A. There are plenty of good ones but having our wedding reception at the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center trumps everything.Q. What is the most fun you have had playing tennis?A. Playing the Dangerous Doubles Tournament up in Madeline Island every Labor Day weekend. It’s become a tradition for me and many others over the years and I hope it continues.

Q. What is your most memorable teaching experi-ence?A. Every first time I’ve worked with a new instructor would be memorable to me. I’ve always valued what other instruc-tors bring to the table.Q. If you were not teaching tennis, what would you be doing?A. I’d either be a political columnist or a no-name blogger.Q. The advice I give every student is…?A. Take responsibility for your game and efforts. Instructors, clubs and programs don’t make champions, students do. Whether through competition or socializing, make sure tennis is fun for you.Q. What is the best advice you ever received?A. Don’t be everything to everyone, just be yourself.Q. To make tennis better, we should…?A. From a community standpoint, I would love to see parents, pros and students be on the same page more often. I’ve seen parents with biased views on their children’s ability, pros holding on too tight to their students and students blaming pros and programs for all the wrong reasons. This is not true for everyone in the tennis community, but it is still an issue which should be addressed more often between all the parties involved. With good communication, great things can happen.Q. Talk about the latest happenings at the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center?A. We’ve recently been lucky enough to acquire the services of Minneapolis coach Reid Olson, high performance specialist Viet Pham and former touring pro Amy Frazier. We’ve added an additional court as of the fall of ‘07, bring-ing our court total to eight. Under the guidance of Judy Long, we’re continuing to build partnerships with inner-city schools. Judy also spearheads a teen girls program and is in the process of starting a teen boys program for next year. Both teen programs really focus on the life skills learned through tennis, and provides children with another avenue of success. Q. How can people get involved either in lessons, programs or become a volunteer?A. Check out our Web site at www.tennisandlearning.org. We are always looking for volunteers for our after-school and team tennis programs.


Marc Stingley’s love for tennis centers around working

with kids. Here he is working with area Special Olympians.

Name: Marc StingleyAge: 28 Hometown: Eagan, Minn. Education: BA History at Winona State University in Winona, Minn. Family: Wife Lisa, Daughter Langston, Mother Ronda, Father Tony, Brother David Employment: Multicultural Program Director at Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center

US

TA

no

rth

ern

se

cti

on

Pro Happenings by Bruce Gullikson


Congratulations to local USPTA award winners who were honored recently at Woodhill Country Club in Wayzata:

Male Pro of the Year - Gordon Reid of The Life Time Fitness Club at Eden PrairieFemale Pro of the Year - Mary Cornell of Life Time Fitness - White Bear LakeBoys High School Coach of the Year - Rick Englestad (Pine City)Girls High School Coach of the Year - Justin Seim (Mounds Park Academy)Male Coach of the Year - Mike Ach (Life Time Fitness – Oakdale)Female Coach of the Year - Susan Rudd Junior Development Award - Rochester Athletic Club staff (Rochester, Minn.)Male Community Service Award - Jim Prittinen (Virginia, Minn.)Female Community Service Award - Patty Mraz (Apple Valley, Minn.)Also, Tom Boice finished his two-year term as president.

Good job Tom!Finally, the winner of the Jack Roach Lifetime Achievement

Award goes to John Desmond for his many contributions in playing, teaching and promoting the greatest sport in the world-tennis!

Mickey Maule, long time local Prince rep is now Vice President of Babolat.

The Minnesota High School Tennis Coaches Association will be holding a clinic at the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center February 29 and March 1. Rick Englestad from Pine City has been working hard on this. It promises to be a great event.

Kudos to Bob Larson, who has done a great job promot-ing tennis through his publications and Web sites. USTA Northern recently renamed its Media Excellence Award after him and he is very deserving of this honor. You can check out Bob on the web at www.minnesotatennis.com.

A hearty Northern welcome to former WTA player and new Twin Cities resident Amy Frazier. Amy is doing some work with juniors at the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center can often times be seen running USPTR instructor Craig Swanson from corner to corner - remember Craig “that which does not kill you makes you stronger”

The USPTR will be holding their annual symposium February 16-22 on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Mark down April 25-27 on your calendar to check out the USPTA National Indoor championships at the Baseline Tennis Center.

If you think the pros get special instruction or advice that regular players do not, you may be surprised. Former tour-ing player and Davis Cup captain Tom Gullickson shared the advice he gave to Andre Agassi while coaching Andre to Olympic gold in 1996:

1) Try hard on every point2) Keep your feet moving3) Stay positiveGood advice that can be applied to anyone’s game.

ScoreMore

Test names are the trademarks of their respective owners, who are not affiliated with The Princeton Review. The Princeton Review and The Princeton Review logo are trademarks registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by The Princeton Review, Inc., which is not affiliated with Princeton University.

on the SATor ACT

To enroll, call 800-2Review (800-273-8439) or visit PrincetonReview.com/USTA

10% Discounton all classroom and online programs for USTA members

ma

rc

h/a

pril 2

00

8

Life Time Fitness is excited to partner with the USTA to offer the best tennis available—to players of all ages

and ability levels. From providing the highest level of professional instruction and extensive programming to

building clubs that provide an unmatched experience. Life Time is dedicated to tennis. And to you.

©2008 LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. All rights reserved. MAMG7185_2

lifetimefitness.com

CroSSTown 952-943-4600 EdEn PrAiriE 952-829-8400 LAkEviLLE 952-985-8800

MoorE LAkE 763-656-1500 98Th STrEET 952-830-7900 oAkdALE 952-593-3900

ST. LoUiS PArk 952-541-7100 whiTE BEAr LAkE 651-426-1308

here, you hold court.

usta northern reorganizes staffassets.usta.com/assets/650/15/april 08.pdf · the director of junior...

Documents