This is the time of year that we celebrate the beginning of a new ITA SEASON--and it looks like a good one! We have a lot of nationally ranked schools and players in Texas so what more could we ask for...
Its also a great time for ITA TRAINING. It seems that the majority of new officials that I talk to are interested in doing ITA matches--and of course that's because they are the most exciting and require the highest skill levels for officials.
In order to help in this ITA TRAINING, some of the coordinators are offering the following to any ITA certified officials:
* You can come and be a part of ITA matches in the Metroplex which include TCU, SMU, UTA, UNT, Collin College, and UTD. You will rove with the referee and observe first hand the workings of an ITA match.
* You will be given on-site job training and may be given the opportunity to do chair work as soon as you are qualified.
* You will not be paid for this training but it will greatly enhance your opportunities in the future.
If you would like to participate in this training, you will need to do the following:
1. Contact one of the following coordinators and let them know you are interested in participating. They will then let you know which matches have openings.
DFW: Myron Krueger (myron.d.krueger@lmco.com)
Houston: Ginny James (ginny_james@hotmail.com)
DFW: Randy McDonald (rmtennis@yahoo.com)
Austin: Vickie Wright (vickietennisnut@austin.rr.com)
Austin: Susan Trautmann (spelses2268@sbcglobal.net)
2. You MUST memorize the verbiage for a chair official (in the Friend at Court.) There are no exceptions to this requirement.
3. You must be ITA certified and have a good working knowledge of the ITA rules.
4. You must be familiar with and know how to fill out a scorecard. Instructions are in the Friend at Court.
This is a great opportunity for new officials to get into the ITA field of officiating--we hope to hear from you real soon!!
10 comments:
And let's be honest: there are other advantages to working ITA matches vs. USTA events:
1. You work 3-4 hrs and earn around $120. You have to work almost twice that long for the same money with USTA.
2. Easier scheduling. ITA officials are scheduled weeks/months in advance. With USTA you might not know until the last minute if you will get to work an event.
3. In many cases it is higher level of tennis in this part of the country.
4. No parents to deal with. Most coaches are tollerable. (No wait, Randy had an ITA match in Denton once where this parent . . . oh well, never mind.)
No situation is perfect. But most ITA matches are really fun to work. Give it a try!
Let me clarify a bit for you...
You make $125/match if you work for me. $115/match if you work for Myron. Big 12 pays about $300/match so go figure that one!
That Mother was in Arlington--not Denton...
Have a good one!
Further clarification: umpires who live in the metroplex may make $300 on a Big 12 match because of the additional travel. Umpires who live in Austin, College Station, Norman, or Waco don't get travel pay on a home match. They make $140 per match.
That's true. I was just speaking from personal experience. Its well worth the drive!
The worst pay is doing lines at pro events and the best is doing Big 12. And its a whole lot more fun...
OK you newbys, don't forget you will have to buy that new ITA officials shirt for this privilege. only $25. Priceless!!
Yes you will but it is indeed PRICELESS. Just remember what you had to pay for your USTA shirt and it didn't come with on-court training!
And I would be willing to bet that the new ITA shirt won't be changed every couple of years because Florida whines about the fabric and others don't like the color pattern. You'll probably have to replace it only because you use it so much!
After what we went through to get it, we won't be changing it anytime soon. You should try to please everyone in Texas with "just the right color."
Personally, I would have preferred burnt orange but I'm just fine with forest green. I think everyone will like them a lot!
Special thanks to Myron Krueger and Chuck Scott for all the extra work to see this miracle take place...
This shirt idea is taking off like wildfire. Us boys over here in Arkansas and the girls up north in Kansas are really invigorated. Let's make this the OFFICIAL shirt for ALL non-conference ITA matches.
Yea, let's go National. Randy can be the National Coordinator coordinator and keep tabs on all the local coordinators.
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