That is one of the most often-asked questions we ever receive--and a good one. The bottom line is that the ITA officials family is a fairly small one but not one that is impossible to join.
Here are some things you need to know in order to become an ITA official:
1. Be ITA certified and have a strong working knowledge of the rules. There is no substitute for knowing the rules--and if you don't, it will show up in your first chair assignment.
2. Be a team player. If you aren't, you won't be getting any assignments.
3. Be teachable. If you can't take helpful instructions, you're probably out in the cold.
4. Be aware of who the coordinators are in your area and BE SURE they know you and like you. The bottom line is that no coordinator is going to hire someone they don't like--so do your best to be nice and likeable.
5. Be willing to pay your dues in order to get into the family. This means you might have to officiate in the cold or even do some matches that aren't glorious but that's all a part of how it works.
6. Don't turn your nose up at any assignment. You won't get to do the #1 singles match every time and you can be sure the coordinator is watching your attitude.
7. If you come from the pro ranks, don't walk in and act like you know everything and are superior to all ITA officials. In reality, I have found very few pro officials who make good ITA officials.
8. Keep trying, learning, and making yourself available. All our coordinators are in need of good officials!
Here are your local coordinators in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
TEXAS:
TCU: Myron Krueger
UT: Vickie Wright
A&M: Sara Lammerts
Baylor: Chuck Scott
SMU, UTA, & UNT: Randy McDonald
Big 12: Cheryl Jones
ACU: Duke Williams
UT Tyler: Millard Countryman
Rice, UH, Lamar, Lee: Ginny James
OKLAHOMA:
OU & OSU: Jim Lawson
Tulsa: Paul Jordan
ARKANSAS: Mike Standrod
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