2012 USTA/Midwest Section Year In Review - 2012 | Page 4

2012 proved to be an amazing year in the USTA/Midwest Section as we worked together to achieve our Mission to “Promote, Develop, and Service the Game of Tennis”. In August of 2012, we quietly surpassed the 90,000 USTA membership mark to establish a new all-time high. This important number indicates that more than 90,000 individuals agree with and support our mission and/or are currently enjoying one or more of our many programs. USTA membership numbers are important for two additional reasons: it determines the amount of funding from the USTA, and determines Sectional voting strength within the USTA. As the USTA’s second largest Section, the USTA/Midwest Section enjoys a strong leadership role and is a respected and influential Section. Throughout 2013, it is important that we not only maintain, but increase our membership in relation to other Sections in order to maintain our current position and increase our funding. President, USTA Midwest 2012 also saw the development of the Junior Tennis Pathway. The USTA/Midwest Section continues to be a leader in School Tennis In-Services, First Year Free 10 & Under Membership, Tennis Play Days, and the High School No-Cut Coaches program. This means that we are touching tens of thousands of school-aged children in their physical education classes to introduce them to the sport of tennis. We work to develop their skills through after school programming, summer programming, USTA Jr. Team Tennis, Tennis Clubs, Middle and High School Tennis Teams and the Ten and Under Tennis initiative. Many of our volunteers worked tirelessly on the development and continuous improvement of our Junior Tournament Schedule throughout 2012. Our most competitive junior players enjoyed great success on the national and international stage. Junior Tennis is alive and well in the Midwest and we look forward to further improvements in play opportunities for all. The USTA Tennis on Campus (TOC) program expanded in 2012, our USTA League program for adults remained steady in 2012. Many within our Districts and throughout the Section worked diligently to plan for and educate our adult players about the new age divisions for the 2013 League Year. Our USTA Flex Leagues are picking up steam as they experienced a 76% growth in 2012. Be sure to check out all of the options for league play in 2013. Our Tennis Service Representatives are among the best in the entire USTA and work closely with the Districts, local schools, Ten and Under Tennis programs, Junior Team Tennis, and Community Tennis Associations to fulfill our mission. In 2012, we also created a full-time Diversity and Inclusion staff position with impressive results. We are seeing wonderful growth and development in our underserved populations. In addition, our entire USTA/Midwest staff is here to serve you. Don’t hesitate to contact any one of them with questions. Please don’t forget to enjoy your own tennis matches, those on TV, especially the US Open Series and the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, and the USTA’s crown jewel, the US Open. Finally, I want to recognize our volunteers, the heart of our association. Whether you are a volunteer at the local grass-roots level, a volunteer within your District, or a volunteer at the USTA/Midwest Section level, we appreciate your help, hard work, and support in “Promoting, Developing, and Servicing the Game of Tennis”. May you always “Serve Well”! Let’s celebrate a great 2012 - we have much to be proud of! AND, let’s make 2013 an even better year as we all work together! Thanks to ALL!! Sincerely, Jonelle Smith MISSION STATEMENT THE MISSION OF THE USTA/MIDWEST Table of Contents Administration President’s Message Midwest Staff and Table of Contents Officers, Delegates-at-Large, and Past Presidents photos Midwest District Offices 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW News & Highlights Honors & Awards- Spring Meeting and Award Winners Outstanding Performance Award and School Corporation of the Year Award Winners Annual Meeting and Fall Award Winners Midwest Tennis Hall of Fame USTA/Midwest Section Sportsmanship Award Winners CoMMUNITY TENNIS Diversity and Inclusion Program Recipients USTA/Midwest Section Wheelchair Tennis Community Tennis Initiatives Adult TENNIS Adult Women and Men Senior Women and Men Mixed Doubles Tri-Level Playoff 2011 Senior Mixed and Combo Doubles Super Seniors 2012 USTA/Midwest Intersectional and Team Championships Tennis on Campus US Open Playoffs Junior Tennis USTA Player Development Zone Team Championships Marian Wood Baird Cup and District Team Cups USTA Jr. Team Tennis Rankings Junior Ranking Requirements & Regulations Adult Ranking Requirements & Regulations 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 18 26 28 30 32 34 38 40 42 44 48 50 52 53 56 58 60 62 66 104 SECTION IS TO PROMOTE, DEVELOP AND SERVICE THE GAME OF TENNIS. USTA/Midwest Section Staff George Lowe Tennis Service Representative, Michigan 317-333-3558, [email protected] Bret Schrama Tennis Service Representative, Illinois 317-333-3559, [email protected] Brandon Smith Diversity and Inclusion