What a great day--and a great weekend ahead of us! Many of us are journeying to glorious Waco, Texas for the Big 12 Tennis Tournament which begins tomorrow.
We will be posting updates each day so be sure to check daily. It should be great fun!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A Day In The Life Of A Big 12 Official
Below is a personal account of a "day in the life of a Big 12 official" as Vickie Wright, Buffy Powell, and Ginny James journeyed to St. Louis, Missouri: (And to think that we find some tennis matches exciting!)
The largest tornado to hit St. Louis in 44 years caught up with 3 BIG XII officials this weekend just shortly after the 3 amigas (Ginny James, Buffy Powell, and Vickie Wright) picked up and regrettably refused rental car insurance at a local Enterprise rent-a-car business in Bridgeton, MO, just outside of St. Louis.
Moments after leaving Enterprise, we were quickly alerted by the rental car’s radio of an extreme thunderstorm with golf-ball sized hail anticipated in Bridgeton in mere minutes. $500 car damage deductibles split three ways start dancing in our heads J Hard rain...kerplunk...hail stone, thankfully only 1. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away J
Minutes after arriving at our Embassy Suites Hotel we hear the tornado sirens sounding off... we are quickly herded into the hotel’s interior kitchen where we along with numerous other hotel guests wait out the F4 tornado (F4= 200 mph winds). Some damage was done to the west wing of the hotel, all lights went black, and a gas leak was the known immediate damage. For God’s sake....don’t anyone light a match. Buffy has already fallen during our stampede to the interior kitchen, we pick her up, stop her bleeding, ice her injuries, pack up our things and get the hell out of Dodge. We travel 2 hours to get 7 miles to check in to our weekend home for our women’s match, Missouri hosting Colorado. The match seemed to take less time than our trip to the hotel, but we’ve got memories for a lifetime and are $105 richer from our BIG XII trip. J
Here's an account by Buffy Powell:
Well, I experienced my first trip to Missouri! Ginny James from Houston, Vickie Wright from Austin and I arrived on Friday to officiate Missouri/Colo. Big 12 Women's match at Mizzou. Our flight was delayed in Houston so we missed our connections in Dallas to meet up with Vickie. Therefore, Vickie had to wait for us for quite a while. We finally were all together to ride the shuttle to Enterprise where Ginny had reserved a car. All was on plan till it was revealed that Ginny's drivers licensed had expired on her birthday (Feb. 27th), so Vickie had to rent the car. The Enterprise Lady wanted us to get hail ins. which we refused. When we were driving out of the Enterprise lot the tornado siren was on. We were on the way to our hotel when the radio said there was golf ball hail in the area. Oh LORD!! Anyway, we made it to our hotel and got checked in with out any problems. We didn't unpack and were watching the news when it was announced that a tornado was 4 mins. away from our area. We threw our luggage in the bathroom and ran to the elevator (we were on the 4th floor) We exited the elevator and all power failed in the hotel. A hotel employee tried to lead us to the kitchen. I tripped over a 2 foot high planter that was 2 feet long and have a bunch of cuts, scrapes and sore spots. We were in the kitchen where there were no windows (but lots of knives)! Anyway. the tornado passed by and we were allowed to come out of the kitchen. The hotel staff was clueless as to how to handle emergencies. We sat on the first floor and heard someone say there was a gas leak outside!!!!! We decided to go up 4 flights of stairs and get our luggage and get out of there. Ginny called another Embassy Suites that was 7 miles away to make us another reservation. We had 3 GPS and it took us two hours to get to the other hotel because of overturned 18 wheelers, wrecks and downed power lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This Embassy Suites was owned by a different Co. and was a little more expensive. WE DID NOT CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We arrived at the Univ. of Missouri on time for our matches. The Referee was from Idaho. There was an official from Iowa and one from Kansas and then us 3 from Texas! Missouri had a nice indoor facility with 4 courts. (Us 3 awesome Texas officials did the doubles). Afterwards, we went to a nice pup/brewery for some great food! Today- Easter- we arrived on time back in Texas. The destruction from the tornado could have been so much worse!!! I t was thought that it wa an F3, but after the officials sifted through the devistation, they determined it was an F4 with winds over 200 mph!!!!!!!!!! The Missouri press called Friday's aftermath the Good Friday Miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That sounds good for me! We were jokingly saying we should get hazordous duty pay. Oh well. We were so LUCKY and/or Blessed! Buf
Saturday, April 23, 2011
A&M 5 University of Texas 2
Aggie players holding the State Farm Lone Star Showdown trophy.
The win boosts A&M's record to 24-5 and 5-1 in Big 12 play. Texas drops to 17-7 and 3-3 in Big 12 play.
Next up for both teams is the Big 12 Tournament this coming week in Waco, Texas.
Congratulations to A&M for a match well played.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Baylor Bears: 2011 Men's Big 12 Champions
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
2011 Big 12 Men's Champions
WACO, Texas - The seventh-ranked Baylor men's tennis team returned the Big 12 Championship crown to Waco on Wednesday night by downing sixth-ranked Texas A&M, 5-2, at the Baylor Tennis Center.
After finishing third in the conference in 2010, Baylor hoisted the trophy after Wednesday's match for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. Baylor now has 10 Big 12 regular season titles overall to go along with its seven Big 12 tournament trophies.
The win closes the regular season portion of the schedule for BU as the Bears racked up a 19-3 record and a perfect 6-0 mark in league play. Baylor has now finished undefeated in Big 12 Conference play in eight of the 15 years of the conference's existence. The loss drops Texas A&M to 23-5 and 4-1 Big 12 play. Baylor moves to 18-32-1 all-time versus Texas A&M, while holding a 17-7 record against the Aggies since the formation of the Big 12 Conference
The win gives Baylor the No. 1 seed at next week's Big 12 Championships in Waco. With the top seed Baylor will have a first round bye in the event, which means the Bears' next match, will be on Saturday, April 30 at noon.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Rule Interpretation From ITA Rules Committee Chairman
After hearing numerous different opinions about the blog post concerning the use of two certified USTA officials for each ITA match, I contacted the Chairman of the ITA Rules Committee, Steven Rodecap of Marquette University, and here is his ruling:
"My opinion on the intent of the rule is that there needs to be at least two qualified officials per match in order for it to be counted for ITA ranking purposes. It is NOT intended that the remaining officials not be qualified. All officials working the match should be qualified officials and the minimum number permissible is two. I hope this helps and if you have further questions please feel free to contact me."
Enough said--and now we need to see that rule enforced.
Valid Interpretation Or Just A Cop Out?
"Two officials required for Division I matches. In order to be considered for ITA Rankings in Division I, the host school shall provide a minimum of two USTA certified officials for each dual meet match." FAC, Page 258.
There has been much discussion about the above mentioned rule--and rightfully so. There are two basic schools of thought on this issue:
1. The rule means that you must have at least two officials for each match but that all officials must be USTA certified.
2. The rule means that two of the officials must be USTA certified but the rest of the officials do not have to be USTA certified.
What do you think?
Personally, I cannot fathom how you can possibly end up with the second conclusion. The rule is quite clear in stating that a minimum of two USTA certified officials work the match but does in no way imply that the other officials can be non-certified. I think it is an effort by the USTA to distance themselves from the ITA. There will be no non-certified officials working any matches that I assign and the same is true in Waco, Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston.
Guest Blog Post By Gary Tolbert
GARY TOLBERT
Plano, Texas
What is the real meaning of this shirt?
What is the meaning of the USTA Official’s uniform?
I will try to take all emotion from the question, and only deal with facts. If any rumor is used, it will be specifically indicated as such.
An individual that is not certified, and has not submitted to the background check administered by USTA wears a USTA OFFICIAL uniform.
It has been reported (rumor) that the USTA Section Chair stated that a university can employ any individual they wish. If this was actually said, it gives implied approval for the non certified individual to wear the USTA OFFICIAL uniform.
The coordinator for a university designates the individual as an official, knowing they are not “certified” by USTA but that they will be wearing a USTA OFFICIAL uniform.
The university pays the individual even though they have not gone through recent USTA training.
This has happened during the past year with no attempt to stop the individual from wearing the USTA OFFICIAL uniform by any representative of USTA or the institution. The legal term is complicit. The USTA knows that an individual is representing himself as a USTA OFFICIAL, and they have made no attempt to restrict the wearing of the USTA OFFICIAL uniform by someone that is not recognized as a USTA OFFICIAL. This represents implied approval. If any individual can wear the uniform without completing the training, completing the background check, and following all the steps necessary, then what is the purpose of the training? What is the meaning of the USTA OFFICIAL uniform to the general public?
The USTA has 3 options:
1. Totally ignore the issue, which will again imply that they don’t care who wears the USTA OFFICIAL uniform.
2. Make a special exception to allow this individual to continue wearing the uniform. This will set a precedent that any individual can wear the uniform. It is better to ask forgiveness than ask permission, and if you have been wearing it before asking, then it will be easier to get permission.
3. Issue instructions to stop wearing the uniform of a recognized USTA OFFICIAL or complete the steps required.
If the USTA decides to protect the brand of USTA OFFICIAL, then perhaps the uniform at the institution can just change to the ITA Black shirts. At that point, the ITA will have to decide if an individual that is not certified by the USTA can act as official and wear the ITA logo and be considered a legitimate tennis official. The decision will be shifted from the USTA to the ITA.
Another option will be for the institution to develop it’s own tennis official uniform. With all the coaches concerns about “home cooking”, will you as a coach be interested in taking your team into a university where the officials wear only the approved local uniform? As an official, will you be interested in buying a uniform that can only be used at 1 location?
All these ramifications must be considered, but the initial question still remains “What is the meaning of the USTA OFFICIAL’s uniform”? The answer has to start with the USTA. It will have to determine how it wants to be represented and by whom and how it responds to this issue will point out if the USTA OFFICIAL’S uniform actually has any meaning.
Note: Gary has done a fine job in clarifying a very important issue in our state. We would welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
What A Beautiful Day!
Didn't the Lord God do a good job when He made this place...
Overall, it sounds like the officiating being done this year is well above average and the problems are few and far between--but the ones that have occurred have been huge ones! From the debacle in Norman between Texas and OU to the fiasco in Austin between Texas and Baylor, aren't you glad that the sun has risen on a new day...
I'm headed down to Waco today to do the Baylor vs OSU men's match. I'm sure the crowd will be full strength (as they usually are in Waco) and Baylor fans will be welcoming their coach, Matt Knoll, back into service. It should be a great match--and we will get to have Bush's fried chicken for lunch!
What a beautiful day it will be...
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Baylor Edges Oklahoma 4-3
FINAL SCORE:
Baylor 4 Oklahoma 3
With the score tied 3-3, the match came down to the #6 singles match. Baylor finally prevailed 8-6 in the third set tiebreak after being down 6-4 in the same tiebreak.
One of the highlights of the evening was that the Bears were able to triumph without their head coach, Matt Knoll, who was serving a one game suspension. Coach Knoll will return to action tomorrow (April 17th) for the men's match with Oklahoma State University.
Congratulations to the Bears and Sooners for a great evening of tennis!
Note: And from all reports (and I had to rely on these since I was busy doing a women's match 300 miles away in Norman, Oklahoma) the officials did a great job and everyone enjoyed the evening.
Friday, April 15, 2011
What Have We Learned?
It seems that our previous post about Coach Matt Knoll's suspension over an incident at UT has generated the most interest ever--and by far, the most comments. The one thing that has impressed me the most is the overall quality of the comments. Most people are really quite knowledgeable of the rules and observant of events around them and those are things that go into making a good official.
After something like this occurs I always think the best thing is not to try to penalize and/or assess blame but to learn from the experience. Here are a few things I think we may have learned:
1. A coach's behavior is to be above reproach regardless of the actions of the players, other coaches, and crowd. The saddest part is that we all know coaches who aren't exemplary but at least they are few and far between. The great majority of them are above reproach.
2. A player's behavior should be exemplary and should quickly be penalized when it is not. Ignoring bad behavior is never going to solve the problem and usually makes the player bolder in their violations.
3. A chair official needs to be continually observant of everything that happens on their match and in the crowd surrounding their match. As humans, we will always miss some things but we are paid to see things and we need to do our best to do so.
4. A chair official should always deal with an issue when it happens. Most of what happened at UT could have been avoided had a code violation penalty been assessed immediately for both the Baylor coach and UT player.
5. When an infraction occurs it should be dealt with immediately and codes should be imposed on either that court or the highest court playing. There is a reason that rule is in effect and it should be followed.
6. Politics can and do play a huge role in administrative decisions. When an infraction is not dealt with on the court by the chair official and referee then it leaves the penalties up to administrators who were not at the match and that makes it really difficult for everyone concerned.
7. The Big 12 is a political entity. What more needs to be said?
8. The Big 12 should take great pains in selecting specific officials to work specific events. Even the appearance of bias should be avoided.
9. The Big 12 officials are some of the best but also include some new officials as well as seasoned officials so not everything that is done is going to make everyone happy. Remember we are all human and we all make mistakes.
10. Many of us would like to change decisions we have made in the heat of the moment. When you have 2-4 players, two coaches, and a howling crowd screaming at you you have to make an instant decision that is right and correct. Sometimes we excel and sometimes we would rather have done it another way--but the main thing is to know the rules and then do your best to apply them fairly and correctly.
11. It seems that are a lot of UT, Baylor, and assorted other fans out there--and they sure love their tennis! And so it should be... But remember to share a little of that love and forgiveness with the coaches, players, and officials because they're the ones doing all the work.
12. Even though some would like to think so, the sun does not rise and set with one certain and to remain nameless official...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Baylor Men's Coach Suspended By The Big 12
MATT KNOLL
Baylor Men's Tennis Coach
April 12, 2011
IRVING, Texas - Big 12 Conference commissioner Dan Beebe announced today the suspension of Baylor men's tennis coach Matt Knoll from the Bears' April 15 match vs. Oklahoma for violation of the Conference's Sportsmanship Policy. During Baylor's April 6 match at Texas, Knoll directed a vulgar comment toward an opposing player, and then initially denied his actions to university and Conference officials."Coach Knoll's conduct toward an opposing student-athlete, along with his initial denial about the matter, are inexcusable and will not be tolerated," said Beebe. "The suspension would have been for more matches if Coach Knoll had not admitted his mistake and expressed remorse for his conduct. I appreciate the cooperation by Ian McCaw, director of athletics, and others at the institution in addressing this matter, and Baylor's continued commitment to follow Conference rules."
Monday, April 11, 2011
Handiwork of Our #1 Ball Sorter in America--The Myronian
Shining example of the proper way to sort and display balls for a match.
There are rumors from throughout the land that there are new pretenders to Myron's throne... Among these new proteges is Kevin Foster and Ty McDonald and of course, there is always fierce competition from Randall Edwards and Glen Whitaker. Seems that David Fleuriet has dropped completely out of contention in Waco and of course, nothing much is ever done in Oklahoma so they aren't included in our race any longer.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Winner of the #1 Ball Sorter In America Poll--By A Landslide!
A relaxed MYRON KRUEGER is the runaway winner in our #1 Ball Sorter in America poll.
MYRON IN ACTION as he stirs the pot with fellow officials.
MYRON THE MODEL as he shows off the new ITA shirts.
MYRON THE VANQUISHED as he is carted off to the hospital following his bicycling accident. (He did make a full recovery and is back playing tennis again.)
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Search For America's #1 Ball Sorter
A fastidious example of proper ball sorting techniques.
Here are the contenders and a brief description of their skills and talents:
GLEN WHITAKER
Glen has been at the top for a long time but has recently been challenged by some new and upcoming officials in our two states. Glen pays meticulous detail to his tennis balls and makes sure that they are labeled and sorted before each match. Woe be unto any official that dares mess with Glen's ball cans before a match or changes their order.
RANDALL EDWARDS
Randall is a member of the new breed of ball sorters. He has a shiny new pen to label each can of balls and sorts an entire case before each match, assigning the proper balls to each court. He has been universally mentioned as the heir apparent to Glen Whitaker's throne.
DAVID FLEURIET
David is more of an "old school ball sorter" who lives in the indescribable city of Waco, Texas. His lot in life usually consists of sorting Bear tennis balls before the Baylor matches. David is not given to much detail and frequently trusts some of the sorting to the other officials but that in no way infers that he doesn't pay attention to his tennis balls.
JIM LAWSON
Jim is our one entry from the state of Oklahoma and he has been around the longest. Jim is very private and personal when it comes to his tennis balls and he lets noone touch them before a match. In fact, he is so fastidious that he personally takes the tennis balls out on each court before the match begins.
MYRON KRUEGER
Myron is the newest entry into our poll. The picture above is an example of Myron's fine ball sorting abilities and please note that he not only assigns his balls to a specific court but he also put the # of the balls on each can.
Each of these men are fine examples of the All-American ball sorter. Please vote in the poll at the top right of the blog so can crown a new KING OF BALL SORTERS.
Friday, April 01, 2011
A Follow Up Picture
"I tried to help you with the overrules but I guess it just wasn't enough..."
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