Introspection: TRAINING

During the next few days we will be posting on the feedback we received (comments and emails) about INTROSPECTION. I thought we got some great comments and feedback and if you have more to contribute, please feel free to post at any time. We usually get between 1,500 and 2,000 hits a week on the blog so lots of people are reading it and hopefully it will make a difference.

I'll try to basically lay out the facts for you concerning TRAINING in the Texas Section as well as provide contact people in case you want to get involved.

INTENSIVE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

** Chair Academy (Plano, Texas) Sponsored by the Texas Section and Collin College in Plano, Texas. Training conducted by national as well as Texas instructors. Probably the premier chair academy in the nation. Contact person: Randy McDonald

** Grand Slam Tournament Training (College Station, Texas). Sponsored by the Texas Section and Texas A&M University. A great venue for the less experienced officials under the direction of national and state instructors. Contact person: Sara Lammerts.

** Live Fire Training (Waco, Texas). Sponsored by Baylor University. Actual on court chairing matches under the scrutiny and instruction of experienced officials in Texas. Contact person: Chuck Scott.

** UT Training Session (Austin, Texas). Sponsored by the University of Texas and involves on the court training during an ITA match. Contact person: Susan Trautmann.

ONGOING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

** ABILENE. Primarily under the direction of Joe Ed & Nan Burnam until their retirement. One of the finest ongoing programs in Texas. Current contact person: Duke Williams.

** AMARILLO. Local coordinator Ona Lee Johnson works diligently to provide training for new officials and opportunities for the more experienced.

** AUSTIN. One of the more highly developed training programs in Texas supervised by Austin President, Vickie Wright. Training involves all levels of tennis officiating.

** COLLEGE STATION. Great opportunities to get training at the ITA level under Sara & Bob Lammerts as well as numerous USTA tournaments to polish your skills.

** CORPUS CHRISTI. A bit windy but fantastic opportunities for ITA and USTA tournaments. Contact person is Dr. Ralph Martin.

** DALLAS/FT. WORTH. More than enough opportunities for all officials. Currently developing a mentoring program under the direction of Cathy Kennan and Susan Wertenberger. Additional ITA training available from Myron Krueger and Randy McDonald.

** HOUSTON. Probably the premier mentoring program in all of America. New officials can plug in with training at all levels under the direction of their President, Nancy Vivero.

** LUBBOCK. This West Texas town has probably trained more officials than anywhere in the nation under the direction of Cliff and Eva Hopping. You'd better be ready to work but you'll come out a well trained official.

** MIDLAND. A great training opportunity under the experienced hand of Brookie Green. You'll have to kind of work it in with all of her grandmotherly duties though.

** RIO GRANDE VALLEY. A growing and expanding area but well manned by Marta Hotz. ITA opportunities are beginning to open up in the Valley.

** SAN ANTONIO. A huge area for USTA and ITA tennis with a few pro events mingled in during the year. Contact person here is Tippy Garza.

** TYLER. If you want to learn under the "dean of officials" then come on over to Tyler! Millard Countryman will walk you through all the training and teach you the finer points of communication.

** WACO. The claim to fame in this fair city are the Baylor Bears and their ITA matches but there are also tons of USTA tournament opportunities. Under the direction of probably the busiest coordinator in Texas--Jane Hammond.

** WICHITA FALLS. This is kind of a home grown training area as local pro and coordinator Bobby Hagerman gives of his time and efforts to be sure their officials are well trained.

That just about sums up all the organized training efforts in our state. I THINK THEY ARE FANTASTIC!

If you live in one of these areas and would like to get involved in officiating or develop your skills to a greater level and would like to contact the local leader--give me a shout and I'll send you their contact information.

My email is: rmtennis@yahoo.com