The Long Hard Road To Becoming An ITA Chair Official

As we work grassroots tournaments around the state we invariably meet people who come up to say, "I would like to become an ITA chair official. It looks like it would be so exciting and so much fun!"

Well, it is fun and exciting but it is also a position that requires a lot of training and hard work. While it may be true that you can rove a USTA tournament after taking your provisional test or you can call lines at a pro tournament after a 10 minute training session, its sure not that way with ITA chair officiating.

In Texas we offer some of the best training available. Our training schools cover everything from the rules and tennis etiquette to dealing with difficult people. We have some of the finest trainers in the country so the future is bright indeed in Texas! (And we will even share some of our chair officials with Oklahoma if they behave...)

Someone recently asked me how long it takes to become a viable ITA chair official. It takes about a year in all reality. You need to do some roving at USTA tournaments to get your feet wet but then you need to spend time in training in order to be able to do the job effectively. You can't just take a test and then hop in the chair.

Here are our various levels of training in Texas:

LOCAL COORDINATORS

This is the starting point for everyone who wants to do ITA chairs. Your local coordinators can put you in touch with the local referees and then you can begin working USTA tournaments as a rover.

LOCAL ITA COORDINATORS

If you are fortunate to live in a city or area with an ITA coordinator you are already in a great position. You need to meet with them personally so they can get to know you and then ask them to train you. EVERY ITA COORDINATOR in Texas is more than willing to train new folks so be sure to take this important step. Once you are "in training" or have "completed training" your ITA coordinator will share the word with other coordinators throughout the state.

Here are the ITA coordinators in Texas:

Millard Countryman (Tyler JC & UT Tyler)

Trevor Edgemon (Texas Tech)

Ginny James (Univ. of Houston, Rice)

Cheryl Jones (Big 12)

Myron Krueger (TCU)

Sara Lammerts (Texas A&M)

Randy McDonald (SMU, UTA, & UNT)

Rick Moensch (UTSA)

Chuck Scott (Baylor University)

Duke Williams (ACU & HSU)

Vickie Wright (University of Texas)

PLANO CHAIR ACADEMY

Sponsored by the Texas Section of the USTA and Collin College, this is the premier chair training event in the country. National and state instructors come in for this three day training event that is done in conjunction with the Men's National Junior College Tournament and is always held during the month of May. Participation is by invitation only and you must have a recommendation from your local ITA coordinator.

BAYLOR "LIVE FIRE" TRAINING

Another top flight training school for ITA officials. This event is held in conjunction with a major ITA tournament at Baylor University and again it is by invitation only and you must have a recommendation from an ITA coordinator. This training is held during the month of September.

CHAIR TRAINING IN DALLAS

Specialized chair training at Highland Park High School with state instructors. Chair officials will get "on court" training in conjunction with Highland Park High School dual matches. HP is the premier high school tennis program in America so this is a fantastic opportunity for chair training.

Once you have been through most, if not all, of these opportunities you will be well-prepared to hit the courts!

If you are interested in knowing more, please feel free to contact me at 214 796 7402 or email me at: rmtennis@yahoo.com