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International Tennis Hall of Fame Announces Tennis Educational Merit Award Winners

NEWPORT, RI — The International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced that Todd S. Ellenbecker of Scottsdale, Arizona, Sharon Rosenburgh of Indianapolis, Indiana and Kathleen Ann Stroia of St. Petersburg, Florida are the 2007 recipients of the Tennis Educational Merit Awards. These prominent tennis awards were presented today at a special luncheon held in the Vista Ballroom of the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida, during the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Annual Meeting.

The Tennis Educational Merit Awards are given annually to individuals who are U.S. citizens or residents that have made notable contributions in the tennis education field at the national level. Award winners have repeatedly demonstrated leadership and creative skills in tennis instruction, writing, organization and promotion of the game of tennis.

Todd S. Ellenbecker has volunteered his time for over 20 years to organizations such as the USTA, the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the ATP (men’s) and WTA (women’s) tours. Ellenbecker has been the Director of Medical Services for the ATP Tour since 2007 and has been the Chairman of the Sports Science Committee for the USTA since 2003, first joining the committee in 1989. A lifetime member of the USTA, Ellenbecker is also an Honorary International Member of the British Tennis Coaches Association (2006-present). He has written a significant number of books on tennis and has contributed to more than 29 research publications. He is an avid and entertaining public speaker in his field and has presented at numerous conferences worldwide. As a Sports Clinical Specialist and Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, he runs his own sports clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. When not in residence at his clinic, Ellenbecker is a faculty member at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He is also a consultant for the Arizona State University Men’s Tennis Team, the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, and the Theraband Research Advisory Committee. In the past Ellenbecker was a consultant for the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics Baseball Clubs. Known internationally for his research, writing and clinical teaching, Ellenbecker is clearly one of the top specialists in his field.

Sharon Rosenburgh has been the coach of the girl’s tennis team at Carmel High School in Indiana for 26 years and has witnessed the growth of the student body develop from 1800 to well over 4,000 students. She has coached three team state champions, three singles champions and three doubles champions. She has also had 32 Academic All-Staters and 22 players move on to varsity collegiate tennis status. She was named the National Coach of the Year in 2004. She has been a frequent contributing writer to the Federation of High School Athletic Associations (NFHS), a national publication. Her articles promote high school tennis and offer advice from selection of assistant coaches to “parental coaching.” Many of her ideas and coaching clinics and techniques have been nationally recognized and utilized by other state associations. Rosenburgh is an expert on the state rules of the game and every year gives a “rules interpretation” presentation to coaches in Indiana, a state requirement for coaches. Rosenburgh has been active in numerous tennis organizations and tournaments, including the ATP’s Indianapolis Tennis Championships (formerly known as the RCA Tennis Championships). Rosenburgh is one of the most well respected coaches in the country, not only for her services as a teacher but for her vast knowledge of the game.

An additional note, in 1990 Rosenburgh took into her Indy home two young Russian tennis players. One child was a ten-year-old named Marat Safin, who would become a World No. 1 ranked player and winner of both the Australian and US Open Championships.

Kathleen Ann Stroia has been an instrumental figure in helping to develop the high medical standards now used at USTA tournaments. She has helped develop an extraordinary team approach between the women’s Primary Health Care Providers and tournament physicians leading to the development of most training room and on-court medical services. This led to her being instrumental in designing the locker rooms and training rooms in Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadow. In addition to her design at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Stroia has helped design facilities for Indian Wells and Key Biscayne. Stroia is now responsible for coordinating all health and medical services for the WTA Tour. In the past, Stroia has done the same for the International Tennis Federation and USTA Fed Cup Competitions. She is world renowned for her expertise in sports medicine and has spearheaded the progression of sports medicine to benefit female professional tennis players. She is also the founder and developer of the WTA Tour Professional Development department, designed to enhance career performance, fulfillment and longevity of professional women players. A sought after speaker for conferences around the globe, Stroia received her degree in athletic training from West Virginia University and her degrees in Physical Therapy and Sports Sciences from Chicago Medical School and Purdue University. Throughout her career, Stroia has given interviews to the Wall Street Journal and ESPN with the goal of promoting tennis has a “hip and fit sport.” She is internationally known and respected as one of the top authorities on sports medicine for tennis.

Stroia was unable to be present at today’s awards presentation. Larry Scott, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sony-Ericsson WTA Tour accepted the award on Stroia’s behalf.

For more information regarding the 2006 Tennis Educational Merit Award winners, please contact the International Tennis Hall of Fame at 401-849-3990.

Established in 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis, inspiring and encouraging junior tennis development, enshrining tennis heroes and heroines, and providing a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. The International Tennis Hall of Fame was recognized as the sport’s official Hall of Fame in 1986 by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of tennis. For information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame and its programs, call 401-849-8990 or visit us online at www.tennisfame.com .

Posted on April 15, 2008
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