USPTA Professionals raise nearly $5 million for charity
In 2006, United States Professional Tennis Association teaching professionals raised $4.9 million for charity through the association’s Lessons for Life™ program.

"Our goal was $4 million, so our members really worked the charity circuit hard this year," said Paula Scheb, Lessons for Life chairwoman and director of tennis and fitness at Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Fla.

A variety of charities benefit each year from the USPTA’s Lessons for Life program, including the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Scripps Stevens Cancer Center and many other national and local charities.

"Our members have really stepped up and made raising money, giving back to the community and important causes a priority," said Scheb, a vice president on the USPTA national Board of Directors. "Many thanks to everyone who contributed." More

Tell us a story
What was your best job interview experience? What was your worst (no names please!)?

We are putting together an article for the Career Center and ADDvantage magazine. Share your experiences and what you’ve learned along the way. Whether you were the interviewer or the interviewee, we want your stories from both sides of the desk.

Send your stories to uspta@uspta.org, ATTN: Tell us a story.

USPTA wins RSI/American Sports Builders Association 2006 distinguished facility-of-the-year award
The United States Professional Tennis Association was recently honored with the 2006 distinguished facility-of-the-year award for its acrylic hard court at the USPTA World Headquarters in Houston. The Association was among only four facilities that received this honor for 2006 from the Racquet Sports Industry/American Sports Builders Association.

The court at the USPTA World Headquarters was an upgrade by Dobbs Tennis Courts Inc. It was converted in 2005 from a clay court to a post-tensioned concrete court with a cushioned surface. In fact, cushioning proved to be a key factor for the hard-court award winners with three of the four facilities describing their courts as cushioned hard courts.

Award nominations due July 5
USPTA is accepting nominations for the 2007 National Awards Program through July 5. All Professional-level members are eligible. Award category definitions, nomination forms and guidelines are available at www.uspta.com, by calling (800) 877-8248 or by sending a request to pr@uspta.org.

Award categories include:

• USPTA Stars Award - Recognizing dedicated, yet unheralded, service to grassroots tennis
• Industry Excellence Award - Sponsored by Tennis Industry Association and Tennis Tutor
• Alex Gordon Award for Professional of the Year
• Facility Manager of the Year (open to nonmembers)
• College Coach of the Year
• High School Coach of the Year
• Touring Coach of the Year
• Player of the Year - in eight categories: men’s and women’s open, 35-and-over, 45-and-over and 55-and-over
• George Bacso Tester of the Year

Get your free Tennis Across America™ poster!
Promote your Tennis Across America event with the free poster inside the March issue of ADDvantage. Look for your poster in a magazine that will arrive later this month.

The 11-by-17-inch full-color poster is in the center of the magazine, and can easily be removed and displayed in your shop or anywhere else at your facility, tennis center or in the neighborhood.

The poster has blanks for the date, location, time, contact and phone number for your event. Download poster here.

Boost spring, summer participation with Tennis Across America clinic
Increase tennis activity at your facility by scheduling one or more free Tennis Across America clinics. The 18th annual event will be celebrated on May 12, but clinics may be scheduled any time before or after this date.

The goal of the program is to draw people out of the house and onto tennis courts. The program not only tries to attract new players to tennis, but also targets former and current players of all ages. Get credit for hosting your Tennis Across America event by registering it today! Public events will be promoted on USPTA’s Web site.

Consider offering a variety of activities for Tennis Across America. For example, you might give free clinics featuring Little Tennis^®, Cardio Tennis, parent-child classes or member-guest events to recruit a variety of people to long-term lesson and event programs. For more information about Tennis Across America or Tennis Around the World, please contact Rick Bostrom at (800) USPTA-4U (877-8248) or sports@uspta.org. Click here for an online program guide for running an event.

Entry forms online for clay and grass court tourneys
USPTA’s National Surface Championship Series will kick off in May with the Clay Court Championships, followed in August by grass court competition. Entry forms for both tournaments are now online.

Go to "USPTA members login," enter your last name and member number, and then click on "Tournaments" to learn more about the tournament series and access entry forms. Please follow the instructions on the forms, and contact the tournament directors for more information.