Ustanorthernnews March/April

Home , David Wheaton, Jon Leach, Lindsay Davenport

USTAnorthernNEWS march/april

Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport

Headline Tennis Festival Of The North TENNIS FESTIVAL TENNIS FESTIVAL of the north of the north

et your tickets now as 18-time Grand Slam singles cham- will have a chance to play QuickStart Tennis, the new play format pion Martina Navratilova joins three-time Grand Slam for beginning tennis players ages 5-10. There will be many local Gsingles champion and 1996 Olympic gold medalist Lindsay community programs participating, as well as assorted media Davenport in headlining the inaugural Tennis Festival of the personalities. Highlighting the event is Davenport appearing in an North April 9-11 at Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minn. on-court session open to the public from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Formerly the Tennis & Life Clinic, the Festival features both on- Saturday night is the exhibition featuring Davenport and court and off-court sessions, a vendor fair, a fan interaction Navratilova. This is your chance to see two of the greatest tennis play- area, equipment demos, an exhibition featuring Davenport and ers of all-time compete in an intimate venue which seats only 3,000 Navratilova, prizes and more. people. Others scheduled to play include Wheaton, former French

The weekend kicks off Friday night with two Demos and Drills Open doubles finalist Jeff Tarango, USTA Sr. Director of Talent ID & clinics at Life Time Fitness – Eden Prairie where players can try the Development Martin Blackman and many of the top juniors from latest in tennis equipment while participating in group drills with USTA Northern. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase tickets 2 local teaching pros. The first session is for adults and seniors, while to a VIP reception featuring Davenport prior to the match.

the second session is for high school players and teams. Navratilova opens Sunday’s activities with a sit-down interview. 0 Saturday’s events begin with the opening session featuring Formerly of the Czech Republic and now a United States citizen with Davenport. Davenport, of Palos Verdes, Calif., is one of only four dual citizenship, she is arguably the greatest women’s tennis player in 1 women since 1975 (the others being Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and history, winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women’s Navratilova) who has been year-end No. 1 at least four times in her doubles titles (an all-time record) and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles 0 career. She finished her career with a singles record of 753-194 and titles. Navratilova is one of just three women to have accomplished won 55 singles titles. She claimed her first Grand Slam singles title a career Grand Slam in singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles in 1998 at the US Open. She followed that by taking Wimbledon in and she holds the open-era record for most singles titles (167) and 1999 and the Australian Open in 2000. She also won three Grand doubles titles (177). She and doubles partner Pam Shriver won 109 Slam doubles championships. Currently retired and a television consecutive matches at one point and won all four Grand Slam titles analyst, Davenport is married to former All-America tennis player in 1984. Tennis legend Billie Jean King said Navratilova is “the great- Jon Leach and has two children – son Jagger (2) and daughter est singles, doubles and mixed doubles player who’s ever lived.” Lauren (5 months). The Minnesota High School Coaches Association Annual Meeting The clinic continues on Saturday with sessions ranging on a wide will also be a part of the Tennis Festival of the North on Saturday variety of topics from many of the top professionals in the tennis afternoon prior to the exhibition at 4:30 p.m. All high school coaches industry including Minnesota native and Wimbledon semifinalist are encouraged to attend and bring their teams for the weekend David Wheaton, former WTA champion and Minnesota product festivities. Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen; Gustavus Adolphus coaching legend Tickets are on sale for this exciting event now at www.tennisfes- Steve Wilkinson; Tennis Corporation of America Director of Tennis tivalofthenorth.com. USTA members receive $10 off on All-Inclusive Ajay Pant; On-Court Off-Court President Joe Dinoffer, Tennis (clinic and general admission exhibition) tickets and $5 off on exhi- Canada’s Wayne Elderton and many, many more. bition general admission tickets. The VIP reception packages are QuickStart Tennis will be featured on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 $125 and $150 each. For more information, please contact the USTA p.m. at the Mall of America Best Buy Rotunda. Children and adults Northern office at 952-887-5001.

2010 Tennis Festival of the North Schedule To order tickets, visit www.tennisfestivalofthenorth.com

Friday, April 9 – Demos and Drills– Life Time Fitness – Eden Prairie 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Minnesota State High School Coaches Association (Space is limited to 108 people each session. You must register in Meeting advance to participate.) 5:00-6:30 p.m. - VIP and Reserved Seating Reception prior to exhibition at 5:45-7:30 p.m. - Adults and Seniors Session Life Time Fitness - Eden Prairie (must have separate ticket for this!) 7:15-9:00 p.m. - High School Players and Teams Clinics 7:00-10:00 p.m. - Exhibition featuring Lindsay Davenport and Martina Navratilova. Also participating are David Wheaton, Martin Blackman, Jeff Saturday, April 10 – Eden Prairie High School Tarango and top junior players in USTA Northern. 7:00 a.m. - Registration Opens 8:00 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. - Vendor Fair and Fan Interactive Area Sunday, April 11 – Eden Prairie High School 9:00-10:00 a.m. - Opening Session with Lindsay Davenport 8:00 a.m. - Registration/Check-in 10:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. - Mall of America QuickStart Event 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Vendor Show and Fan Interactive Area 10:15-12:30 p.m. - Sessions 8:30-9:00 a.m. - Opening Session with Martina Navratilova 12:30-2:00 p.m. - Lunch Break and Vendor Show 9:15-11:30 a.m. - Sessions 2:00-4:15 p.m. - Sessions 11:45 a.m-12:30 p.m. - Closing Session/Prizes

www.northern.usta.com 1 USTA Northern Hires Two New Positions

1001 West 98th Street, Suite 101 Bloomington, MN 55431 (952) 887-5001 • (800) 536-6982 STA Northern Executive Director Mike Goldammer Fax: (952) 887-5061 announced the hiring of Chris Dummermuth as the new UTennis Service Representative for South Dakota and Kelley Okerman as the new Adult Competition Specialist and Twin Cities STAFF DIRECTORY Area League Coordinator. Dummermuth begins her new position in May 2010, while Okerman started January 17. Kristi Bushinski (952-358-3280) A USTA Northern Hall of Famer and tennis legend in South Dakota, Kristi Bushinski (952-358-3280) Adult and Junior Tennis Assistant Dummermuth joins the Section in the newly-created position of kbushinskinorJunior and [email protected] Programming Assistant [email protected] Tennis Service Representative for South Dakota. She will be based Christine Buysse (952-358-3290) out of Sioux Falls, S.D., in an effort to increase tennis participation CBeckyommunity Cantellano Tennis Assist (952-358-3291)ant/Jr. Team TDirectorennis C oordinatorof Tennis Programs and Services by promoting, developing and servicing tennis programs across the [email protected]@northern.usta.com state. She will also establish strong relationships with local tennis and Chris Dummermuth Becky Cantellano (952-358-3291) non-tennis facilities, organizations and volunteers in those areas. CPatommunity Colbert D (952-358-3283)evelopment Specialist She comes to the Section after serving as an elementary and middle school teacher in Sioux cantellano@norAssistant Executivethern.usta.com Director/Director of Junior Competition Falls the past 35 years. In addition, she is a summer tennis instructor at Westward Ho Country [email protected] Colbert (952-358-3283) Club, the tournament director for the SDHSAA State Tennis Championships and teaches pri- Assistant Executive Director and vate lessons to adults and juniors. She is currently a board member of the Sioux Falls Tennis JuniorChris DummermuthCompetition Specialist (starting in May 2010) northern section cTennisolbert @norServicethern.usta.com Representative – Association and plays USTA League Tennis and tournaments. PaSouthtty E Dakotagart (952-358-3292) She has worked as the Tennis Director of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department [email protected] Corporate and Collegiate Tennis Coordinator and was a boys and girls high school tennis coach. She was a member of the High School eJeangart@nor Forbesthern.usta.com (952-358-3297) Coaches Association Board of Directors and a Coaches Representative for the same group MikeJunior Goldammer Teams Assistant (952-358-3284) in her career. [email protected] Director Dummermuth played college tennis at both Augustana College (1974-75) and Utah State [email protected] Mike Goldammer (952-358-3284) (1972-73) and won the South Dakota State High School singles championship in 1971 and 1972 CoExecutivery Haugen Director (952-887-5001, ext. 110) at Washington High School. She was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame in 2007 usta [email protected] Assistant and is a member of the Sioux Falls Lincoln and Washington High School Halls of Fame, the [email protected]

South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame and the South Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame. KarCorya JohnsonHaugen (952-887-5001,(952-358-3285 ext.) 110) AdultAdministrative Competition Assistant Specialist She was the 2001 winner of the USTA Northern Albert Teeter Adult Sportsmanship Award and johnson@[email protected] was named the South Dakota Tennis Coach of the Year seven times. In April, she will add to her distinguished career when she is inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. NancyHayley Lundber Horningg (9Shibley52-35 8-3(952-358-3295)286) CTennisommunity Service Tennis Representative Assistant/Adult – Tournament “Chris will be an excellent addition to our USTA Northern team,” Becky Cantellano, USTA CNorthoordinator Dakota Northern Director of Tennis Programs and Services, said. “She is a well-respected athlete, edu- lundberg@[email protected] cator and coach with strong connections to the South Dakota tennis community. As a Hall of Lisa Mushett (952-358-3282) Famer, she’s already an accomplished contributor to the USTA Northern mission and we are look- DirectorNancy Lundberg of Marketing (952-358-3286) and Communications Director of Adult Competition ing forward to expanding tennis opportunities in the state of South Dakota with her on staff.” [email protected] [email protected] Okerman moves into her new role after serving as an Administrative Assistant for USTA Kelley Okerman (952-887-5001, ext. 110) AdministrativeLisa Mushett A(952-358-3282)ssistant Northern since 2007. During that time, she worked directly with the Executive Director, aDirectordmin@nor of Marketingthern.usta.com and Communications Assistant Executive Director, Section President and Board of Directors. She was responsible for [email protected] Poehler (952-358-3281) meeting preparations, US Open ticket sales and the department archives, in addition to her day-to-day responsibilities as the main receptionist and customer service representative. AdministrationChristine Nickels Directo (952-358-3290)r poehler@norJunior Teamsthern.usta.com Specialist Before coming to USTA Northern, Okerman worked for 10 years in sales at Xerox, Surgidev [email protected] Horning Shibley (952-358-3295) and Steelcase. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., with a Bachelor’s Tennis Service Representative degree in economics and history. shibley@norKelley Okermanthern.usta.com (952-358-3287) Adult Competition Specialist/Twin Cities “I am excited to have Kelley on board as the new Adult Competition UrsulaArea League Shute Coordinator(952-358-3287) Specialist and Twin Cities League Coordinator,” Director of Adult [email protected] Cities Area League Coordinator [email protected] Competition Nancy Lundberg said. “She comes in with a wealth of knowledge about USTA Northern, having worked for the Section SJamesandy SmitPoehlerh (9 52-(952-358-3281)358-3288) DirectorController of Membership and Sales the past two years. She has already established strong relationships ssmith@[email protected] with our staff, volunteers, players and partners. Her passion for ten- ToSandyny Stingle Smithy (952-358-3288)(952-358-3289) nis and her exceptional customer service skills are a huge benefit to DiversityDirector ofSpecialist Membership & Sales USTA League Tennis in the Twin Cities and USTA Northern.” stingley@[email protected] In another move, Administrative Assistant Cory Haugen, who was job sharing with Okerman, has now assumed that position Tony Stingley (952-358-3289) full time and can still be reached at (952) 887-5001 or at admin@ Director of Training and Development Kelley Okerman [email protected] northern.usta.com.

2 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010 july march/april

4.5 Twin Cities Men Win USTA League National Championship!

2009

ongratulations to the to the short and slightly husky Twin Cities adult men’s guy. The Middle States team Cteam captained by Eric was shocked, and all the other Gleason who won the USTA teams we had previously beat League Tennis 4.5 National came to watch that match. We Championship in Las Vegas had a lot of support from other in November! Gleason’s team Sections, which was also a big became the first USTA Northern part of our weekend.” National Champion since the It was on to Sunday where men’s 5.5 team won in Las Vegas Northern played Southern in in 2004. Members of the win- the semifinals, winning 3-2. In ning team included Gleason, that match, Northern won both

Adam Arians, Justin Baker, singles and the #3 doubles posi- 2 Geoff Basham, Ben Davis, tion to play Northern California Steve Fridinger, Jared Goerlitz, in the finals. It was déjà vu in the Brandon Heath, Ben Herding, Championship as they defeated 0 Joel Hickman, David Holt, Twin Citiies - 4.5 Men’s National Champions. Northern California by the same

Nelson Iginla, Sean Kangrga, 3-2 score, winning both singles 1 Kyle Rice, Jay Schlorf, Clay Sollenberger, Kent Stadum, Marc matches and the #3 doubles spot.

Stingley, Carl Wahlstrand and Aaron Zenner. With all those close matches, was there a point when Gleason 0 Nearly every member of the team, who represented the Fred and the team felt that maybe it was their destiny to win the whole Wells Tennis & Education Center in St. Paul, Minn., played tennis thing? in college at schools such as Wisconsin, St. Cloud State, Winona “I think we thought we had a chance the entire time, but we all State, Marymount, Ripon and Gustavus Adolphus. Many of them knew that we would have to catch the big breaks and play well dur- competed against each other at different points of their collegiate ing pressure situations,” Gleason said. “I think the moment I knew careers, but thanks to Gleason, came together this summer as one we could win the whole thing was when we beat Middle States in team with the ultimate goal of winning a National Championship. the final match on Saturday. They were up on us 2-0 and we came Gleason receives all the credit for bringing the guys together back to win 3-2. No one thought we would get a win in singles and and translating their talents to victory. we ended up sweeping them both.” “He’s a maniac,” Davis said. “He’s a machine and he has these Not bad for a team of former adversaries who came together this crazy spreadsheets that project the optimal lineup for each of our season for the chance to win it all. matches. He’s like a Vegas oddsmaker.” “We had guys who know how to win, and we all get along so “We did spend two or three hours strategizing in our hotel room. well, it’s ridiculous,” said Davis, who wore the same Green Bay And yes, there were spreadsheets,” confesses Basham. Packers jersey to play a match and go out on Saturday and then Those spreadsheets came in handy as Northern started the week- again on the plane ride home Sunday, much to the chagrin of his end by finishing 4-0 in its round-robin flight including a 4-1 win teammates and the people around him. over Southwest in its first match. It then defeated Intermountain, “It was a perfect combination of camaraderie and intensity,” 3-2, by winning two third-set tiebreakers, and Missouri Valley, 4-1, adds Stingley. winning three third-set tiebreakers in the process. Northern then Being in Vegas on Halloween weekend, you would expect the closed out round-robin play with a 3-2 win over Middle States. celebration to be raucous, (Remember what happens in Vegas, Against Intermountain, the match was tied 2-2 when Zenner stays in Vegas) but it was relatively calm as the team celebrated by forced a third-set tiebreaker after being down a set. Zenner went sitting around the hotel hot tub, trading stories, singing 80s rock up 9-6 in the tiebreaker, but Intermountain won the next two ballads and finally letting loose by taking a team photo with every- points making the score 9-8. Finally, Zenner put away the match, one jumping in the pool. keeping Northern undefeated. The championship also was meaningful for the team because it “Our entire team was watching and screaming their lungs out,” once again showed that Northern tennis is always a contender on Gleason said. “I could barely watch.” the national tennis scene. Then against Middle States, the two teams were tied again at “I think our win shows that we can hang with the remainder of 2-2 with Davis being the deciding match. Davis was playing a kid the United States,” Gleason said. “After I went to nationals in 2006, from Villanova with “a HUGE serve and big game,” but broke him I had a bitter taste in my mouth because people took us lightly and six times and won the match in straight sets, giving Northern the saw us as a ‘weaker’ Section. My goal was to bring a quality team to 3-2 win. Nationals and show we belong in the mix. Getting out of pool play “That match was one of the defining moments of the weekend,” was our main goal, but actually winning it proves that we have a Gleason said. “It was amazing to see the prototypical tennis player strong Section and that Northern will be a section to watch out for with huge strokes, big serves and mounds of athleticism lose in years to come.”

www.northern.usta.com 3 Register Now For Summer USTA League Tennis

Summer Registration Happening Now For USTA League Tennis USTA League Tennis is the world’s largest recreational tennis league providing organized, structured team matches for more than 2010 USTA LEAGUE TENNIS POSTSEASON PLAY 650,000 men and women of all ability levels around the country. • Twin Cities Area Championship: July 30 – August 1, 2010 Teams consist of all women, all men or mixed doubles, and because • Adult Section Championship: August 13 – 15, 2010 they are set up according to the National Tennis Rating Program • Senior Section Championship: August 20 – 22, 2010 (NTRP), you’re always sure that you will be facing off against some- one of comparable ability. USTA Northern offers leagues from begin- • Mixed Doubles Section Championship: August 27 – 29, 2010 ner (2.5) to advanced (5.0). All members must be USTA members and • Tri-Level Section Championship: October 1-3, 2010 have a current NTRP rating (you can self-rate as well). • National Championships: Adult & Senior: October 2010; The program is open to women and men 18 years of age and Mixed Doubles: November 2010; Super Senior: April 2011 older. Adult (18+), Senior (50+), Mixed Doubles, Super Senior (60+) and Tri-Level offerings feature a USTA Northern Championship, partner and one 3.0 partner or one player a 3.0 and partner a 3.5). while there are also Combo and Flex League opportunities in the Format consists of three doubles matches. Twin Cities. This all culminates in an exciting National Championship • Tri-Level Leagues: For men and women 18 years of age and older. for each skill level in places like Palm Springs, Tucson and Phoenix. northern section NTRP levels include 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5. Team format is two to LEAGUE FORMATS four players per team at the same NTRP level. Play format is one • Adult Leagues: Single gender teams for men and women 18 years doubles match. of age and older. NTRP levels include 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. • Flex Leagues: USTA Flex Leagues group players of similar ability Team match format consists of two singles matches and three together in an organized season that allows players to schedule doubles matches, except 2.5 and 5.0 divisions, which play one 5-8 matches when it best fits their schedules at a convenient loca- singles match and two doubles matches. tion. Players sign up online for singles, doubles, or mixed doubles • Senior Leagues: For men and women 50 years of age and older. play using the TennisLink system. Players can track standings, usta NTRP levels include 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. Team match format con- report scores and schedule their matches while online.

sists of three doubles matches. • Combo Doubles Leagues: For men and women 18 years of age • Super Senior Leagues: Offers both a women’s and men’s league and older. Teams are developed with a combined rating of 5.5, for players who are 60 years of age and older. The team format is 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5. Total NTRP rating cannot exceed level of team (i.e., three doubles positions and the levels of play are 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, & 9.0. 6.5 team would be a combination of a 3.0 and a 3.5 player). Format Partners combined ratings may not exceed the level in which they consists of three doubles matches. are playing. Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced player, this • Mixed Doubles Leagues: For men and women 18 years of age program has a place for you. There is no better way to have fun and and older. Teams are developed with a combined rating of 6.0, make friends while playing the game you love. 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0. Total NTRP rating cannot exceed level of team To learn more about local leagues in your area, please contact (i.e., 7.0 team could be a combination of two 3.5 players, one 4.0 your Area League Coordinator listed below.

Meet Your USTA League Coordinators:

Nancy Lundberg, Section League Coordinator, [email protected] Hayley Horning Shibley, ND Tennis Service Representative Chris Dummermuth (May 2010), SD Tennis Service Representative [email protected] [email protected] Duluth, MN - Joe Mihalek Bismarck, ND - Katrina Kittleson Eau Claire, WI - Julia Browne [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] North Shore, MN - Lee Bergstrom Fargo, ND - Oliver Summers Sioux Falls, SD - Erin Elshami [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Rochester, MN - Sheryl Warfield Washburn, WI - Ximena Christianson Rapid City, SD - Lori Edwards [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Local League Mary Helen Flannery Coordinators (LLC) [email protected] Kelley Okerman, Twin Cities Area League Coordinator, [email protected]

4 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010 Buy your TickeTs now! Tennis Festival of the North

April 9-11, 2010 MarTiNa NavraTiLova 18-Time Grand Slam Eden Prairie High School Singles Champion & All-Time Winningest Female Tennis Player In TENNIS FESTIVAL TENNIS FESTIVAL of the north Edenof the north Prairie, Minnesota WTA Tour History

There is someThing for everyone!

Player exhibition featuring Martina Navratilova LiNdsay daveNporT and Lindsay Davenport. Three-Time Grand Slam Singles Champion & On-and off-court sessions, outstanding speakers, vendor fair, 1996 Olympic Gold equipment demos, prizes and much, much more. Medalist For more information and to order tickets, visit www.tennisfestivalofthenorth.com

Also scheduled to appear: David Wheaton, Luke Jensen, Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen, Martin Blackman, Ajay Pant, Joe Dinoffer and other industry greats. Tennis Participation Tops 30 Million Players In United States

e did it! The — Tennis is doing a better job at retention with continuing WUSTA and TIA players up 6.3% to 16 million announced in Nov- — Former players rejoining to the game is up for the third ember that tennis year in a row, with nearly 7 million coming back to tennis participation in the United States topped USTA Northern also experienced tremendous growth in 2009 30 million players for including: the first time in more • USTA Northern membership was 12,438, up 6.1% over last year. than two decades. In addition, there are 232 USTA member organizations in the The annual phone Section. survey of 6,000 • There were over 100 sanctioned junior tournaments in 2009 and Americans showed that tennis participation grew in all age groups the number of players registered for these events was up 4.5% under the age of 50 and within all ethnicities. With 30.1 million over 2008. people hitting the courts, tennis participation has grown 12% over • The total number of players in sanctioned adult tournaments rose 2008 and climbed 25% since 2003. The survey is conducted annu- by 3.7% over 2008, while the total number of registrations saw an ally by the Taylor Research Group on behalf of the Tennis Industry 8.9% increase. Association (TIA) and the USTA. • A total of 583 coaches and teachers completed training through northern section “We at USTA Northern have spent considerable time and energy Recreational Coach Workshops, QuickStart Tennis Workshops, working closely with our organizational members and tennis partners and School In-Services in 2009, an increase of 17% over 2008 in making tennis more accessible and engaging for everyone,” USTA numbers. Northern Executive Director Mike Goldammer said. “This news only • The number of page views at www.northern.usta.com was up 9% confirms to us that collectively, we are moving in the right direction. compared with 2008 traffic. I’d like to thank everyone who helped in this effort and we anticipate • USTA Northern has 179 registered High School No-Cut Coaches, carrying this positive momentum in to 2010 and beyond.” up 10% over 2008. New players comprised 7.1 million of the total, and the majority • There are 84 registered QuickStart Tennis facilities, up 55% over usta of tennis players consider themselves “regular players” (14.8 million). 2008.

Though 15 of the 17 USTA sections were affected by record rainfall • 143 USTA Jr. Team Tennis teams participated in the summer in the spring, total play occasions surpassed 560 million for only the Championship Series, up 6% from 2008. second time in more than 20 years. The greatest percentage growth in participation was in players 12-17 which grew from 15.7% of the The TIA/USTA results compare favorably to other recent research total participants in 2008 to 20.5% of the participants in 2009. released from industry organizations over the past 12 months. In the “The USTA continues to work closely with the entire tennis 2009 Sports and Fitness Participation Report conducted by the industry to grow our game, and we are extremely gratified that our Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), results showed collective efforts have generated such strong growth,” said Lucy S. tennis was the only traditional sport to enjoy growth in grassroots Garvin, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “We continue to participation. strive to make tennis easier to learn and more fun to play. This commitment has led to millions of more Americans playing the game. I am proud of our network of sections, states/districts and community Total Tennis Participation programs who have worked so hard to increase participation.”

32 The TIA/USTA survey results include: 30.13 Million • Total participation broke the 30 million mark in 2009 (a 12% 30 increase to 30.1 million, against 26.9 million in 2008). * • New players reached 7.1 million (up 19.5% from 5.9 million in 28 26.88 2008). Million • Regular Players, those playing 4 to 20 times per year, increased 25.13 26 Million 26% to 14.8 million players in 2009. 24.72 24.03 Million 24.20 • Participation in 2009 is up in every major ethnic group, but espe- Million Million 23.57 cially among African Americans (+19%) and Hispanics (+32%) 24 Million • Age groups comprising the greatest percentage of players are — 12-17 years at 20.5% of the total (more than 6 million 22 players) — 18-24 years at 18.4% of the total (more than 5.5 million players) 20 — 6-11 years at 16.25% of the total (4.9 million players) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

6 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010 Did You Know?? Did you know the USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and is a not-for-profit (501c4) organization with more than 740,000 members nationwide? Or that the USTA invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis from the grassroots to the professional levels? Here is how your membership dues help grow the game and impact local communities in USTA Northern (also a 501c4).

$328,000 to JUNIOR COMPETITION AND USTA JR. TEAM TENNIS including the implementation of QuickStart Tennis at the grassroots level. QuickStart Tennis progresses into Jr. Team Tennis competition, junior tournaments, junior high performance opportunities and finally high school tennis and No-Cut programming.

$294,000 to USTA LEAGUE TENNIS for local leagues and regional and sectional championship events, plus adult tournaments offered throughout the Section.

$260,000 to SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY TENNIS INITIATIVES promoting tennis in public and private domains by educating teachers, coaches, park and rec coordinators and community tennis leaders to deliver the sport to the masses.

$178,000 for PUBLIC AWARENESS in helping promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout the entire Section. This includes publications/magazines, our Web site (northern.usta.com), special events and advertising.

$132,000 for GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND INFRASTRUCTURE for organizations, individuals and communities. Included in this are initiatives to repair, expand and build new tennis facilities across the Section.

$80,000 to PROMOTE DIVERSITY within the game of tennis on all levels. A Level 1 Priority for USTA Northern, diversity refers to difference of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, beliefs, social economic status, sexual orientation, family status, physical ability, appearance and ideas. USTA Northern is committed to achieving greater diversity throughout the sport and fostering a tennis environment that is more inclusive.

So whether you are a tennis player, a tennis supporter or a tennis lover, you can be assured that your membership dollars are helping us reach our mission: To Promote and Develop Tennis in Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwestern Wisconsin. For more information, contact Mike Goldammer at [email protected]. USTA Northern * 1001 W. 98th Street, Ste. 101, Bloomington, MN 55431 * 800-536-6982 * www.northern.usta.com * [email protected] Ellen Doll Named RSI Magazine’s taurants, opportunities to purchase tickets to the US Open and other events before the general public and much, much more. 2009 Tennis Advocate Of The Year To learn more about the STPC, please visit www.seniortennismn. com. For more information, please contact Sandy Smith at ssmith@ Ellen Doll of Minneapolis was named the northern.usta.com or at (952) 358-3288. 2009 Tennis Advocate of the Year by Racquet (Note: Current members of both organizations are not eligible for this Sports Industry magazine. Doll has com- offer.) pletely changed the tennis landscape within Minneapolis working with city leaders, park officials, neighborhood organizations and Katie Paulson And University of the USTA in building 20 new tennis courts at four sites which are used by high schools, Minnesota Win Tennis On Campus InnerCity Tennis and the general public. Awards The Support The Courts Foundation, which Doll founded, has raised almost $1 million in support of these projects. Doll is an avid Katie Paulson of Valley City tennis player, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of USTA State University in Valley City, Northern, the Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center, the Minneapolis N.D., and the University of Parks Foundation and is a member of the USTA National Tennis in Minnesota Club Team are northern section the Parks Committee. She is a board member of the Northern Tennis the 2009 winners of the USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of USTA Northern, and is the Chair of Northern Tennis On Campus the Clinic committee for the 2010 Tennis Festival of the North. Organizer and Club of the Year Awards, respectively. The club tennis program at Fred Wells Staffer Judy Long Wins Valley City State was almost Breaking Barriers Award extinct after the 2009 spring floods which closed the Valley City

usta State campus and left only six active members and $200 in the Judy Long of the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center in St. Paul, team’s bank account. In the fall of 2009, Paulson, who is a freshman, Minn., was named a 2010 winner of the Breaking Barriers Award was elected President of the club team and recruited eight new celebrating individuals or organizations that have broken barriers, members giving the program eight competitive players and four overcome challenges and/or strived to provide athletic opportuni- recreational athletes. She also ran the most successful fundraiser in ties for girls and women of all races, ages and levels of ability. Long club tennis history, raising over $800. was honored as part of the 24th Annual National Girls and Women The University of Minnesota club program has grown from 10 in Sports Day on February 3, at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda people in 2004 to over 35 participants in ‘09, winning six straight sec- in St. Paul. Currently the Education and Programming Director at the tion Championships and placing in the Top 20 of the 2009 Tennis On Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center, Long trains and supervises Campus National Championships during that time. The Minnesota over 20 program volunteers and works with over 100 elementary club team plays host to the Fall Gopher Invitation which has grown and middle school kids in after-school programs. In 2005, she took from eight teams 4 years ago to 16 teams in 2009. This year, the it one step further creating the Girls Squad designed for inner city club team also offered an Officer’s Clinic as part of the Gopher girls to develop tennis skills and the self esteem needed to feel Invitational which gave members and officers of the participating comfortable as “athletes,” while encouraging girls to try out for city schools a chance to communicate and network with others, while high school teams. The Girls Squad meets twice a week for on-court sharing best practices. To help grow the program, the team has games (and drills) and once a week off-court to talk about their lives, used a variety of different media tools in recruiting new members concerns and dreams. including Facebook, Web sites, University sponsored activity fairs and mass e-mails. It also has increased its budget this year to ensure Not A Member Of The Senior Tennis the highest level of competition possible as they will travel as far away as Louisiana and hired a former Division I tennis player to serve Players Club? Join Today And Save! as head coach. Did you know the Senior Tennis Players Club (STPC) in Minneapolis is the largest group of organized senior tennis players in the United Subscribe Now To Daily Tennis For Only States? Here is your chance to join this great organization and save! From March 1-April 1, seniors have the opportunity to join both $4 A Month; Receive Daily Tennis Tips the USTA and the STPC for only $52 (regular price $67). Enjoy the Love Tennis? Then take advantage of this special offer for all USTA great benefits of both organizations including free lessons and drills Northern members and subscribe today to Bob Larson’s Daily Tennis by certified teaching professionals, social tennis parties, summer News and Daily Tennis Variety for only $4 a month. Daily Tennis team tennis, tennis magazines, discounts to tennis retailers and res- News covers tennis on all levels from the professionaI ranks, to the

8 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010 march/april business side of the industry, to the grassroots, every day and it is Elliott Sprecher (Cadott, Wis.) 6-2, 6-1, e-mailed right to you. Daily Tennis Variety includes tips and articles and Samantha Anderson (Thompson, from tennis legends such as Nick Bollettieri, Jack Groppel, Bruce N.D.) beat Melanie Yates (New Brighton, Gullikson and much more. Minn.) 6-0, 6-3 in the girls. To register, visit www.dailytennis.com/northern. Enter USER Tommy Entwistle (Sioux Falls, S.D.) won NAME: ustanorthern and PASSWORD: northern09 (must all be low- the Boys 14s with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Taylor ercase letters). Parr (Edina, Minn.), while Patricia Zhao (Maple Grove, Minn.) defeated Maddie Northern State Coach Jessie Daw Wins Boyer (Edina, Minn.) 6-1, 2-6, 6-0 to win the girls championship. In 12s, second USTA/ITA Community Outreach Award seeded Nic Beaty (Wayzata, Minn.) beat Wyatt McCoy top seed Jackson Allen (Shakopee, Minn.) The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Intercollegiate 6-3, 6-3 and Hayley Haakenstad (Chanhassen, Minn.) beat Sophia Tennis Association (ITA) announced that Northern State University Reddy (Eden Prairie, Minn.) 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. head women’s tennis coach Jessie Daw is the Northern Section In boys doubles, McCoy and Dusty Boyer (Ham Lake, Minn) beat winner of the USTA/ITA Community Outreach Award. The USTA/ Eric Frueh (Rochester, Minn.) and Jack Hamburg (Rapid City, S.D.) ITA Community Outreach Award honors an ITA coach for significant 9-8 in 18s. Nordahl and Sprecher teamed together to defeat Daniel contributions in developing community-based tennis programs Carpenter (Wayzata, Minn.) and Myles Tang (Minneapolis, Minn.) 8-1 through community centers, schools, parks, community tennis asso- in 16s. In 14s, Toby Boyer (Ham Lake, Minn.) and Entwistle defeated ciations, inner city, suburban or rural programs. Maxwell Olson (Edina, Minn.) and Parr 9-7 and Beaty and Aanik

Lohani (Edina, Minn.) won the 12s title with a 8-4 win over Chuck 2 McCoy and Lambert Lead Winter Tang (Rapid City, S.D.) and Austin Wong (Plymouth, Minn.). The girls doubles saw Amber Washington (St. Paul, Minn.) and

Level 4 Winners Sierra Halvorson (Burtrum, Minn.) defeat Lambert and Ronkowski 0 Wyatt McCoy (Shoreview, Minn.) and Aria Lambert (Excelsior, Minn.) 9-8 in 18s. Anderson and Mimi Yunker (Grand Forks, N.D.) beat won the Boys and Girls 18s titles, respectively, at the 2010 Winter Level Kelsey Frechette (Rochester, Minn.) and Madeline Buxton (Eden 1 4 Championships in January at Life Time Fitness - Lakeville. McCoy, Prairie, Minn.) 8-3 in 16s. Boyer and Kate Rosenow (Rochester, Minn.) who was seeded second, defeated top seed Nelson Vick (Stillwater, edged out Virginia Norder (Rosemount, Minn.) and Zhao 9-7 in 14s 0 Minn.) 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, while Lambert handled Callie Ronkowski (Grand and Haakenstad and Zoe Klass-Warch (St. Paul, Minn.) won the 12s Forks, N.D.) 6-0, 6-1. with a 9-7 win over Haley Lickfold (Shakopee, Minn.) and Mackenzi In 16s, second seeded Erik Nordahl (Edina, Minn.) beat top seed Marinovich (Edina, Minn.).

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www.northern.usta.com 9 Winter Junior Tennis Update

Rochester’s Ingrid Neel Wins “Little Mo” including against Raymond Leonard (Bloomington, Ind.) in the finals 6-1, 6-1. International Girls 11s Crown Ingrid Neel (Rochester, Minn.) won eight matches in taking the Girls 11s singles championship at the 2009 “Little Jessie Aney Wins Bronze Ball At Mo” International Open presented Winter Nationals by Babolat in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Over 150 players from 13 countries partici- Jessie Aney (Rochester, Minn.) won a bronze ball in the girls pated in the tournament at Club Med 12s singles draw at the 2009 Winter Nationals in Tucson, Ariz. Sandpiper. Neel went 5-1 in the qualify- Aney won six matches in ing rounds, earning a spot in the main Tucson and earned the draw. Once in the main draw, she won highest finish by a USTA two additional matches before han- Northern participant since Edina’s Ashley Schellhas Ingrid Neel dling Chissato Hayakawa (Taipei City, Japan) 6-3, 6-0 in the finals. Neel was won the singles draw in also named the first-ever recipient of 2001. In the semifinals, northern section the “Little Mo” Rising Star Award given to one girl and one boy in Aney fell to McKenna the “Little Mo” program who have not only displayed outstand- Root (Midland, Mich.) 7-5, ing talent on the court, but have shown exemplary character 6-2, but rebounded to and good sportsmanship on and off the court. Neel received a defeat Kaitlin McCarthy one-week complimentary tennis training camp scholarship at Jessie Aney (Cary, N.C.) 7-5, 6-4 in the the IMG/Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for third-place match. winning the award. usta

2010 Northern Stars and Grand Forks’ Gregory Wischer Places Northern Lights Teams Selected Second At 12s Midwest Winter Congratulations to the following juniors who were selected to Championships participate in the 2010 Northern Stars and Northern Lights High Performance Programs. Gregory Wischer 2010 Northern Stars: Charlie Adkins (Maple Grove, Minn.), Sahil (Grand Forks, N.D.) Chhugani (Rochester, Minn.), Kristina Conrad (Plymouth, Minn.), placed second in the Hayley Haakenstad (Chanhassen, Minn.), Zoe Klass-Warch (St. Boys 12s singles draw Paul, Minn.), Davis Lawley (Fargo, N.D.), Megan Jans (Rochester, at the 2010 Midwest Minn.), Luke Moorhead (Mound, Minn.), Sam Morgenthaler Winter Championships (Rochester, Minn.), Floyd Penners (Minneapolis, Minn.), Sophia in Dayton, Ohio. Wischer Reddy (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Lars Scannell (Grand Marais, Minn.), won four matches before Joseph Tarvestad (Rochester, Minn.), Theresa Tebon (Excelsior, falling to Louis Remynse Minn.), Steffi Tetzloff (Rochester, Minn.), Sebastian Vile (Rochester, of Richland, Mich., in the Greg Wischer Minn.) and Nicolas Villarraga (Rochester, Minn.). finals 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. 2010 Northern Lights: Meagan Brown (Elk River, Minn.), Anuraag Bukkuri (Woodbury, Minn.), Hunter Heck (New Brighton, Minn.), Erin Hoffman (St. Paul, Minn.), Thomas Huffstutler (Rosemount, Minn.), Aaron Jin (Shakopee, Minn.), North Edina’s Erik Nordahl Wins Consolation Knewtson (Fargo, N.D.), Catherine Lindsay (Eau Claire, Wis.), Tanner Lundberg (Baxter, Minn.), Carter Mason (Eden Prairie, Championship At Copper Bowl Minn.), Olivia Paradise (Mahtomedi, Minn.), Libby Rickeman Erik Nordahl (Edina, Minn.) won consolation championship in (Wayzata, Minn.), Chase Roseth (Lakeville, Minn.), Samantha the boys 16s singles draw at the 2010 Copper Bowl in Tucson, Ariz. Stephenson (Plymouth, Minn.), Pete Summers (Grand Marais, Nordahl, who was the third seed, won four matches before falling Minn.), Francesca Trella (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Avery Voehl (Eden in the quarterfinals to eighth-seeded Garrett Gordon (Marietta, Prairie, Minn.), Jose Williamson (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Maxim Ga.) 6-1, 6-2. In the back draw, Nordahl won three more matches Zagrebelny (Eagan, Minn.).

10 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010 march/april

Serving It Up With Whitney Taney

ormer five-time Minnesota state as “Bourne” on the courts, which created a singles champion and Edina native few laughs. In addition to the laughs, a few FWhitney Taney is now a junior co- of us have been quoting movie lines from captain of the women’s tennis team at the the movie Mean Girls and think it is abso- University of Michigan. An All-Big Ten recipi- lutely hilarious every time we say them! ent her freshman season and the Big Ten Some things never get old, I guess. Sportsmanship Award winner as a sopho- As always, Go Blue! more, Taney is writing a blog for www. mgoblue.com, the official athletics depart- January 27, 2010 ment web site at the University of Michigan. Our first dual match of the season was a Here is a first-hand opportunity to get an

big success! On Sunday we played Western inside look at what life is like for a Division I Michigan and finished with a 7-0 victory. collegiate tennis athlete. 2 We were very pleased with how we played January 13, 2010 and could see all of our hard work in practice really pay off in our matches. 0 Wow! It is hard to believe that the spring Whitney Taney We will be leaving the Varsity Tennis season is about to begin. It seems like we Center at 5 a.m. on Thursday morning for 1 were just getting back to school after sum- the ITA Kickoff, hosted by Arkansas. That mer break and playing on the outdoor courts in our shorts and means we will be getting up at the “crack of dawn.” Let’s just say 0 t-shirts. there will be a lot of alarms set to go off at 4 a.m. and as a backup, As a team, we had a very good fall season and are ready for dual some wake-up calls. Fortunately, we will get some make-up sleep matches to begin. We started the fall by hosting our first tournament on the plane ride! at home, the Wolverine Invitational. It gave everyone a chance to get At the ITA Kickoff Weekend, there will be four top-ranked back into tournament mode, and we won 19 of 27 singles matches. teams competing for a chance to advance to the ITA Team Indoor After that, we traveled to a few warm places, such as California Championships. We are all very excited about the trip and hope to win for the ITA All-Americans and Arizona State for the Thunderbird the tournament so we can be one of the top 16 teams in the country. Invitational. We also went to Kentucky and Northwestern for the We moved up one spot in the national team rankings yesterday ITA Regional tournament, but I can assure you the weather was not to No. 19, and we are going to do our best to keep it going. nearly as warm there as it was out west! As always, Go Blue! Aside from tennis, we will be participating in Mock Rock, which is a fundraiser put on by the student-athletes to raise money for February 4, 2010 Mott’s Children’s Hospital, 826michigan and S.A.L.S.C. 826michigan Wow, what an eventful weekend we had in Arkansas for the ITA is a project to write children’s books by the children involved at Indoors! There were a lot of hard laughs, cheering and even a crazy 826michigan and S.A.L.S.C. is funding an educational facility and ice storm. Oh, and it was a great couple of days of tennis too. water source for a village in Africa. We are putting together a skit for I mentioned we would be waking up at 4:30 a.m. to catch our the event that I promise will be a memorable one. flight to Arkansas. You can imagine our surprise when Ronni Preseason rankings came out last week. Michigan is ranked No. (Bernstein, our coach) sent out a team text the night before letting 20 as a team. us know that our original flight was canceled and the new flight As always, Go Blue! was scheduled for 5:20 a.m. Our 4:30 wake-up call was now a 2:45 a.m. wake-up call. Ronni’s phone blew up the minute after with all January 20, 2010 of us asking her, “Is this a joke?” But it was no joke and we finally Hooray! What a great way to kick off the first weekend of our made it to Arkansas at about 9:45 a.m. the SAME morning and took season! a long snooze at the hotel before practice. We were all very pleased with the overall play and results from We played No. 16 South Carolina on Friday in a match that is the weekend and are going into the dual match season feeling very best described as “chaotic.” We pulled out a 4-3 win. We all had encouraged and pumped up! We hosted the Michigan Invitational fun running out onto the court and jumping on Denise (Muresan) and went 7-1 in doubles and 12-9 in singles against three excellent to celebrate the win! Saturday we played No. 18 Arkansas and won teams, leaving us all with big smiles as we left the Tennis Center a hard-fought match, 5-2. This win qualified us for the ITA Indoors, that weekend. marking the first time in program history that Michigan has partici- Our outside activity and pre-game warm-up the night before pated in this prestigious event. We proved that we are a top team in out matches was to watch Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and the country and are very proud of our accomplishment! the very last of the series, Bourne Ultimatum, which some of us Overall, it was a very entertaining few days and I am sure there had never seen before. I can honestly say that we all became so will be more fun moments throughout the season! obsessed with the movies that we started cheering for each other Until next time, Go blue!

www.northern.usta.com 11 Racquet Ramblings with Greg Wicklund

ennis is a good way Renault will play at Minnesota… Brittney Freund, Cooper High for me to stay light School player, has signed with Winona State… Mike Johnson, “Tand quick on my former pro at Life Time Fitness – Oakdale, is the new head pro at feet and be able to move my Life Time Fitness – Bloomington South. body well.” Co u r t s i d e Co m e d y : The Pacific West tournament in Los — Lindsay Vonn, two- Angeles knows crowds control. An announcement recently stated: time defending World Cup “Please turn off your cell phones, digital cameras and small chil- alpine ski champion from dren.” Burnsville, Minn. Co u r t s i d e Kud o s a n d Am p l e Acc o l a d e s : To Rochester’s Eric The 25-year-old Vonn, in January- Butorac and Bethanie Mattek-Sands for reaching the doubles February Tennis magazine added that her depth perception and quarterfinals of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park …also body awareness have also improved because of tennis. “It’s really to Eric for showcasing world-class tennis and supporting youth good cross-training for me,” she explained. development for kids in need at the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Lindsey has made friends with at least two of our game’s Center last December… to Ramsey Smith and Spellerberg Park notables – Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova. She finds pros for their QuickStart Tennis program in Sioux Falls, S.D.…

northern section Federer’s accomplishments to be very inspiring and admires what to Cretin-Derham Hall’s Maddy Eiden and Moira Caulfield for a he’s done in his career. great doubles season… to Racquet Sports Industry’s “Person of the With Martina, she added, “Our deal was if she teaches me some Year” Eric Babolat for Babolat’s ideas and leadership… to Andrew tennis, I’ll take her skiing.” Lee, Middlebury College senior for Eden Prairie, who won the ITA Lindsey now lives in Vail, Colo., with her husband Tom. Division III Doubles crown last fall… to Larry Sundby, men’s and Lindsey, how about an indoor tennis lesson for an outdoor ski women’s tennis coach at St. Cloud State, who is now a member lesson? Buck Hill? Life Time - Bloomington South? Good – it’s a of the St. Cloud State Athletic Hall of Fame… to Athletes of the deal! Week who were selected by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune includ- usta ing Amber Washington of Mounds Park Academy, Elena Sullivan r o m h e e n n i s o k e b o o k F T T J : Show me a good loser…and I’ll of Providence Academy, Meredith Lawrence of Visitation High show you a guy playing tennis with his boss. School and Jennie Hartjes of Cretin-Derham Hall… Minnetonka coach David Stearns, who has helped Aria Lambert develop into Do w n Un d e r Te n n i s Tr i v i a w i t h Fr a n k Ja m i s e n : Billionaire a top-level player… Star-Tribune photographer Jim Gehrz for Tom Golisano, Buffalo Sabres owner, has revealed that he and his great tennis action shots… to the Golden Gopher men’s and Monica Seles are dating. Ellsworth Chatsword, an Aussie Eaton’s women’s tennis teams who are maintaining a very high gradua- executive, is also interested in Ms. Seles. Apparently, he “doesn’t tion rate at the University. rate,” He’s only a millionaire! (Incidentally, did you know that Ms. Seles has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fr o m Jo d i Jo h n s o n o f St. Pa u l : My uncle told me that when Fame?) Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Brett Favre was asked if he would encourage a son of his to play football, his reply was, “Not if he can No r t h e r n Ne t Ne w s : Former Gopher player Theresa Bell swing a tennis racquet.” from Aberdeen, S.D., is the mother of Caroline Ward, who plays for Edina… Edina player Hamish Weerasinghe and Eagan’s Justin Be l at e d Sy m p a t h y : To family and friends of departed ten- Abrams, will attend Bradley University next fall… Elk River star nisseurs and former players – Zee Kuno, Golden Valley; N. Katie Jesperson will play Augustana College fall semester… Bud Grossman, Minneapolis; David Wann Freeman, St. Paul; Dave Geatz, former Gopher men’s coach, led the Big Red of Verdell Gipple, North Oaks; Richard Noland, Orono; Robert Cornell University to second-place in the Ivy League conference… Hoover, Mounds View; Dr. Elizabeth Chittenden, Minneapolis; Stefan Erikson, former Gopher All-America from Sweden, is now Richard Garwood, Deephaven; Marilee Ward, Minneapolis; coaching ATP Top 20 player Philip Kohlschreiber of Germany… Lois Brennan, Minnetonka; Ralph Fuller, Hopkins; Marianne Nataliya Pintusova, a Minsk, Belarus, native, and star junior Lasley, Minneapolis; Stan Plys, Minneapolis; Patrick Tillemans, player, has signed a letter of intent to compete for the Gopher Burnsville; Robert Marshall, Edina; Alex Polenek, St. Paul; Mac women’s team… Whitney Taney, now a junior at Michigan, has McMinn, Bloomington; Caroline Stephens, Roseville; Linda Rees, been elected captain of the Wolverines tennis squad… Luke Minneapolis; Jack Anderson, formerly of Hopkins and Mark Kleckner, former STP and Luther College player and grad, is also Johnson who taught in Shakopee. the son of Frank Kleckner, 1961 State Champion from Minneapolis Roosevelt… Amanda Pihlaja, Duluth Central star, will attend Ol e ’s Di l e m m a : After Ole Olson won a Grand Slam tournament, Minnesota-Crookston, while North Dakota state champion Callie he said. “After I vun, I asked Lena my vife vat she vanted. She said a Ronkowski will play at North Dakota and Rochester’s Emelie divorce. I told her I vasn’t tinking of anything dat expensive.”

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Name: Dana Young A: I really do have so many wonderful tennis memories. Tennis Age: 35 has been such an important part of my life. A few that stand out include when our team beat Northwestern for the first time in Hometown: Apple Valley, Minn. several years when I played at Minnesota. It was such a great win Education: University of Minnesota for our team as Northwestern is now consistently among the top 5 in the country. Competing at the NCAA tournament was an Family: Husband, Geoff, who is the incredible experience. I had worked so hard during my 4 years as men’s tennis coach at the University a Golden Gopher. It was a terrific way to end my collegiate career. of Minnesota, and children Gavin (7), Playing mixed doubles with my brother, Derek, for the first time Karin (6) and Alexander (5 months) at the Aquatennial Tennis Tournament in 2008 is also a wonderful Employment: Head Tennis Pro at the University of Minnesota’s memory. Baseline Tennis Center Q: What is the most fun you have had playing tennis? Q: How were you introduced to tennis? A: Playing college tennis at Minnesota. I truly enjoyed competing A: I started playing tennis when I was 13. My best friend played, in the team environment and the friendships I made while play- and I thought I would give it a try. I absolutely loved it from the ing there made the experience so enjoyable.

northern section start. Q: What is your most memorable teaching experience? Q: What is your earliest tennis memory? A: Winning our first-ever conference championship at the A: Playing in my first national tournament - the National 14-and- University of Denver. We had a tremendous group of athletes Under Indoors. I played the No. 1 seed and No. 1 player in the and individuals on the team. The group as a whole had a terrific country in the first round. Needless to say, it was a very quick work ethic and they were so supportive of each other. match, but it was a great experience. Playing that level of player usta was a tremendous motivational tool. Q: If you were not teaching tennis, what would you be doing?

Q: Name some of your tennis achievements? A: Teaching high school biology or math.

A: All-Big Ten and Student-Athlete of the Year at the University Q: The advice I give every student is…? of Minnesota; qualifying for the NCAA Singles Championships; winning the Boys and Girls Minnesota State High School Team A: BE PATIENT! Always give your opponent a chance to make a Championships while coaching at The Breck School in Minneapolis; mistake. Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2004; winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship while coaching at the Q: What is the best advice you ever received? University of Denver. A: To be good to myself on the court. When I was a junior player, Q: What is the best thing about being a teaching pro? I really struggled with controlling my emotions and I easily became frustrated. I was very hard on myself. Tennis is challeng- A: The best thing about being a teaching pro is the relationships ing enough without having to battle your own emotions. that develop through coaching. It is also extremely rewarding to see the improvement and passion for the game in the eyes of the Q. To make tennis better, we should…? adults and juniors that I have worked with over the years. A: That is a very tough question. I happen to like the game just Q: How long have you been a teaching professional? the way it is.

A: 14 years Q: How can people get involved either in lessons, programs or become a tennis volunteer in your area? Q: Who are the people who have influenced you the most? A: There are so many terrific facilities that offer all different types A: Most definitely my parents Fran and Robin Peterson, as well as of programs for all ages. The Baseline Tennis Center has a web site coaches Mel Smith, Marc Miller and Martin Novak. (www.baselinetenniscenter.com) with all of our lesson information. I know many of the other facilities have web sites that make Q: What is your best tennis memory? it easy to find something that is right for you.

14 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010 march/april The Open Is Open! Section Qualifying Tournament June 14-20 in St. Cloud

oger Federer, Serena Williams, Bob and Mike unique, extending the reach of the US Open across the Bryan…and now you! Did you know the US country.” ROpen is now open to all players 14 years of With the goal of connecting more people to age and older? Be a part of the greatest tennis the US Open and expanding the tournament’s tournament in the world as USTA Northern will reach to communities throughout the United host the US Open National Playoffs Northern States, players will compete in sectional qual- Section Qualifying Tournament June 14-20 in ifying tournaments hosted by 16 of the 17 St. Cloud, Minn., at both Apollo High School USTA Sections nationwide. and South Junior High School. The winner “While professionals are eligible to play, receives a chance to earn a wild card into we expect the draws to be filled with top the 2010 US Open Qualifying Tournament. junior players, collegians, teaching profes-

Registration is now open for this exciting sionals and even recreational players who event and continues through the end of May. will now have a chance to play themselves into 2 For more information, visit www.northern.usta. the US Open for the first time,” said Jim Curley, com or contact Nancy Lundberg at lundberg@ Chief Professional Tournaments Officer & US Open northern.usta.com. Tournament Director. 0 “We are excited to have this tournament in St. Cloud,” Pat Just to add to the fun, two-time World Cup champion skier Colbert, USTA Northern Assistant Executive Director/Director of and 2010 Olympics participant Bode Miller will compete in one of 1 Junior Competition, said. “The St. Cloud community is really grow- the sectional qualifying tournaments. ing and this tournament is another way to help promote and devel- “Tennis has always been a part of my life,” said Miller, who won 0 op the game of tennis in our Section. St. Cloud and the surrounding the 1996 Maine state singles title for Carrabassett Valley Academy areas have always been great supporters of tennis as evident by and whose family owns the Tamarack Tennis Camp in Easton, N.H., them being named a national ‘Best Tennis Town’ award winner in which was founded by his grandparents. “The US Open National 1988. This tournament will be another way to showcase St. Cloud Playoffs are a great concept and I look forward to playing in one of and all it does for tennis in our Section. We hope many people the sectional qualifying tournaments this spring. It will give me an take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in the outlet to focus my competitiveness after the Olympics and World ‘Greatest Show on Earth.’” Cup season.” The US Open National Playoffs begins with 16 sectional qualifying tournaments held throughout the country from April through June. The men’s and women’s champions from each of the sectional qualifying tournaments advance to the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s and Women’s Championships, which will be held in conjunction with Olympus US Open Series tournaments this summer. The entry fee for each of the sectional qualifying tournaments is $125. All players competing must have a current USTA membership valid through August 30, 2010. Competitors can enter any of the 16 sectional qualifying tournaments, but they can only enter and compete in one sectional qualifying tournament. Each sectional qualifying tournament is limited to 256 players, and players will not be seeded. Participants can be of any playing level, from aspiring novice to seasoned professional, giving everyone an equal opportunity to advance. “The US Open National Playoffs makes the US Open ‘open,’ where one woman and one man will earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament and a chance to advance to the main draw,” said Lucy Garvin, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “The fact the US Open National Playoffs are supported by qualifying tournaments run by our Sections makes this event even more

www.northern.usta.com 15 Apply to Host A Tennis Block Party Today!

range from $300-$700 and must be used for tournament entry Marketing Grant fees, tennis equipment and attire, coaching fees or training Deadline March 31 programs/camps. First time applicants will be give priority over previous recipients. ennis Block Parties are an integral part of the USTA’s Tennis • USTA Northern Tennis Camp Scholarships: Awarded to a male TMonth promotional platform designed to kick off the outdoor or female player ages 14 or younger that demonstrates both a tennis season in May. They are easy to organize and provide an financial need and commitment to tennis. Players must receive opportunity to promote your local tennis programs to players of an endorsement from his/her tennis coach in order to be eli- all ages and abilities. These events can be hosted at any facility and gible. Recipient receives a scholarship to attend a camp located should feature tennis instruction, interactive games and attrac- within USTA Northern. Deadline is May 10, 2010. tions for player of all ages and abilities. • NJTL Tennis and Leadership Camp Scholarship: Provides an Registration is going on now to host a 2010 Tennis Block Party. educationals tennis experience for NJTL participants who oth- Sign up by March 31 and become eligible to receive a Tennis Block erwise could not afford such an opportunity. The week-long Party grant up to $250 (Organizations may still register to host a session emphasizes character and leadership development, Block Party after March 31, but these submissions will not be con- good sportsmanship, physical fitness, proper nutrition and other sidered for grants). healthy attitudes. Must be an NJTL participant; 12-14 years of Your site may also qualify for a complimentary prize pack or a age; within the JNTRP’s skill rating level of 3.0-4.5. northern section visit from one of USTA Northern’s visiting pros. To be considered, For more information about these scholarships, visit northern. please complete the Donation Request Form found at www.north- usta.com or contact Tony Stingley at (952) 358-3289 or at stingley@ ern.usta.com and submit it to Becky Cantellano at cantellano@ northern.usta.com. northern.usta.com no later than 6 weeks prior to your event date. To apply to host a tennis block party and a marketing grant, please visit www.usta.com/blockparty. Next Community Tennis Grant For more information, contact Lisa Mushett at mushett@northern.usta.com. Deadline is April 1 usta All 2010 grants and other funding opportunities are now avail-

able online including Community Tennis Grants (April 1, 2010), USTA Marketing Materials Available Online Public Facility Assistance, Equipment Match Grants, QuickStart Lines For Organizations Grants, Workshop Scholarships and much, much more. For more information about a particular grant, please visit www.northern. The USTA has developed an ad customization system where usta.com and click on the Funding and Support tab or contact Becky you can design marketing materials for use in your community for Cantellano at [email protected] or at (952) 358-3291. things such as USTA Jr. Team Tennis, League Tennis, Tennis Block Parties and much, much more. To use this FREE system, please visit www.usta.com/ctmarketing. Host A Recreational Coach Workshop or QuickStart Tennis Training Today Junior Scholarship Opportunities Want to increase the number of people using your tennis courts? Available Host a Recreational Coach Workshop (RCW) or QuickStart Tennis Workshop. There are a number of scholarships available to juniors in USTA An RCW is an interactive, on-court training program designed Northern to help with expenses connected with player develop- for tennis teachers and coaches working with players of all levels, ment or camps including: abilities and ages at the recreational level. The workshop covers • Ottum Fund for Player Development: These scholarships range training on the QuickStart Tennis format, teaching large groups from $250-$500, depending on the need and situation. Funds and effective team practices. For more information, please visit can be used toward tournament entry fees, travel costs (airfare, www.usta.com/rcw. hotel) and in some cases, lesson and/or coaching fees. Requests A QuickStart Tennis workshop is designed for beginning tennis are made via a personal letter outlining needs to Pat Colbert at teachers, parents and coaches working with young people ages [email protected]. Approximately 2-3 scholarships are 10 and under. The workshop is an interactive, on-court experi- awarded annually. ence that provides attendees with age specific information and • USTA Northern Diversity Individual Player Grant: These are included warm-up activities, skill development, games and cool- available to assist players of ethnically diverse heritage in pursu- down activities. For more information, please visit www.partners. ing their tennis related interests. Applicants must demonstrate a quickstarttennis.com. financial need, be 10-16 years of age, a USTA member, and have For more information, contact Tony Stingley at (952) 358-3289 or a Section ranking or anticipate having one in 2010. Scholarships [email protected].

16 TennisLife magazine APRIL 2010