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USPTA article; Support our troops through tennis

USPTA Article ‘One-Sided’

The article regarding a version of the USPTA quarrel in June’s issue of RSI is both inaccurate and one-sided. It includes paraphrasing and direct quotes from only one person’s view — USPTA General Counsel Paul Waldman, an employee of the association. It does not provide the details of my application seeking a temporary restraining order, a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction, that were specifically intended to seek a third party’s judgment on whether our bylaws had been followed. In essence, the article provides only one narrow view of a very complicated issue.

Details and an accurate explanation of the various events are provided at: saveuspta.com. Any comments and questions can be asked at this site as well. There are potentially five of the eight USPTA National Board positions that will be held by candidates from the Southern and Florida divisions. These large divisions already control the Executive Committee through their “weighted” votes and now they will control the board.

Ultimately, there will be no winner in this dispute and the USPTA will have lost in so many ways. I feel our membership should know the truth.

Randy Mattingley, USPTA First Vice President

Support the Troops Through Tennis

With so many military bases in Southern California, it’s not surprising that many tennis players and fans have connections to those who serve or have served our country. Perhaps the connection is through a family member, neighbor, friend or tennis partner … or maybe it’s you. Even if you don’t have a direct association, you probably can appreciate the hardships experienced by service members during deployments.

Now there is a fast and simple way for you to combine your love of tennis with an opportunity to help these dedicated heroes while they are away. It’s the USTA’s “Adopt-A-Unit” program.

This is an easy, win-win program that delivers needed personal supplies to the troops, as well as portable tennis equipment that they can use for recreation and stress relief while they are deployed. The effort allows tennis communities to show support, and to introduce service members to a recreational means for reintegrating with family, friends and community upon their return.

Here’s how it works: Your tennis group (Community Tennis Association, club or facility, school team, league team, group of friends, junior players, etc.) prepares a basic “care package” and mails it to a currently deployed unit. The USTA then sends the same unit portable tennis equipment (racquets, pop-up nets, transition balls, throw-down lines, etc.). The USTA makes it easy — they can identify eligible units, and they have a list of recommended items for the care package. The details are at usta.com/military.

So far, dozens of tennis groups in over 10 states have adopted a unit. Some of their stories are available on the USTA’s Military Outreach page on Facebook (facebook.com/ustamilitaryoutreach).

So, serve up some tennis love and help make a difference in the lives of those who are protecting our freedoms by adopting a unit today!

Steve Kappes, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired,
San Diego District Tennis Association
USTA Community Tennis Association Committee Member

From the August 2011 issue
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