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Racquet Sports Industry Magazine Names 2008 'Champions of Tennis'

Dave Haggerty, the chief executive officer of Head USA and president of Penn Racquet Sports, has been named “Person of the Year” by Racquet Sports Industry magazine in the publication’s January 2009 issue. Haggerty led off the magazine’s eighth annual “Champions of Tennis Awards,” which honors people and organizations dedicated to improving the sport and business of tennis.

Haggerty has been involved in the sport of tennis for nearly 30 years as a player, teaching pro, industry executive and volunteer in all capacities. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the U.S. Tennis Association, and in 2009 he starts a two-year term as a USTA vice president. He recently ended his two-year term as president of the Tennis Industry Association and will remain on the TIA’s executive committee, representing Head/Penn. He’s also held positions on the board of trustees for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association and on the USTA Middle States Section board of directors, among many other activities, both professional and volunteer.

“Dave Haggerty’s decades-long passion for and dedication to tennis has brought this sport to new heights,” says Peter Francesconi, the editorial director for Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine, the world’s largest trade magazine devoted to tennis and other racquet sports (tennisindustrymag.com). “With his solid roots in tennis, Dave has been an inspiration to many in this industry and a catalyst for significant growth in this sport.”

“Dave’s wealth of experience in this industry is a huge asset,” says Lucy Garvin, the USTA president and chairman of the board. “He brings a wonderful business acumen to the [USTA] board. I’m going to count on his experience to help broaden our relationships.”

“In the roles I’ve had in companies,” says Haggerty, “I’ve been able to experience everything from sales and marketing to operations, to know what it’s like to run a warehouse, understand customer complaints and issues. I feel I’ve been very fortunate to have such a broad view of tennis, and the tennis business.”

RSI also named winners in 16 other categories for its 2008 Champions of Tennis Awards (visit tennisindustrymag.com for more on these winners):

• Private Facility of the Year: Boar’s Head Sports Club, Charlottesville, Va.
• Stringer of the Year: Nate Ferguson, Tampa, Fla.
• Builder/Contractor of the Year: Boston Tennis Court Construction Co., Hanover, Mass.
• Tennis Sales Rep of the Year: Jim Haneklau, Wilson Sporting Goods, Atlanta
• Chain Retailer/Mass Merchant of the Year: Sport Chalet, La Canada, Calif.
• Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year: Tennis & Golf Co., Royal Oak, Mich.
• Junior Development Champion of the Year: Chuck Kuhle, Decatur, Ill.
• Grassroots Tennis Champion of the Year: Sue Jollensten, Albuquerque, N.M.
• Municipal Facility of the Year: Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex, Surprise, Ariz.
• Wheelchair Tennis Champion of the Year: Michael Mercier, Beverly, Mass.
• Public Park of the Year: Roswell (Ga.) Park & Rec
• Community Tennis Association of the Year: Lee County (Fla.) Tennis Association
• PTR Member of the Year: Jorge Andrew, Lexington County, S.C.
• USPTA Member of the Year: Tom Sweitzer, Hershey, Pa.
• High School Coach of the Year: Sue Bordainick, Spring Valley, N.Y.
• USTA Section of the Year: Pacific Northwest

Posted on December 31, 2008
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