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From letter dated: 11/28/2016

Dear Denny:

It is a pleasure to invite you to serve as Committee Member on the USTA High School Committee for the 2017-18 term. Your experience and passion for tennis will play an important role in providing the resources needed to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

As a Committee Member, you will work with the High School Committee Chair, Mark Faber, committee members and USTA staff, guided by the committee charges and goals.

To confirm your appointment as Committee Member, you will receive an email link where you will “ACCEPT” your nomination. This link will also provide an opportunity to update your contact information that will be used for the USTA Directory.

We will be utilizing the online National Volunteer Orientation program which will provide a series of modules and resources that will help committee members throughout their term. Information on these and additional documents for your reference will be sent under separate email.

As a Committee Member, you are invited and expected to attend the USTA Annual Meeting and Conference (AMC) and Semiannual Meeting and Conference (SAMC). You will be included in all USTA functions at each of these meetings. Meeting details will be forwarded separately. Additional benefits for the US Open will be communicated in advance.

Please note that USTA policy requires all national volunteers to maintain a current USTA membership. You may renew your membership online at www.usta.com or by calling (800)990-USTA. In addition, your appointment is contingent upon satisfactorily completing the Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policies document on an annual basis. The forms and deadline will be forwarded by the USTA Legal Department.

Welcome to the USTA national committee team! We feel fortunate to have you on board and look forward to working with you. Thank you in advance for the hard work and input you will be called upon to deliver as we work together to fulfill the USTA Mission – To Promote and Develop the Growth of Tennis.

Cordially,

Katrina M. Adams

USTA Chairman, CEO and President

Since the founding of the Milwaukee Tennis Classic (MTC) in 1975, Denny Schackter has participated and supported the tournament initially as the Head Men’s Tennis Coach of UW-Madison, where he successfully coached several top players who distinguished themselves in the Big Ten and the MTC.

After retiring from coaching, Schackter was the widely admired, official representative of Wilson Sporting Goods in Wisconsin. During this time Schackter also served as a key and strategic member of the MTC board.

With Schackter’s advice, guidance, enthusiasm, and support, the MTC became the largest and longest-running men’s and women’s intercollegiate singles and doubles tournament in the US attracting many of the top ranked college players. He always was there with a smile, a friendly and supportive attitude, and offered insights that dramatically and positively shaped the MTC over the years.

In whatever capacity, Schackter has always been a positive force supporting and promoting tennis with schools, players, officials, and the tennis community. His advice and counsel are always recognized and appreciated.

Because of the ongoing, impressive and selfless contributions of Schackter to young people and tennis, on December 7, 2015, the MTC Board of Directors approved the Denny Schackter Award.

The Schackter Award is made annually to girls’ and boys’ high school tennis programs in the Greater Milwaukee area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha Counties) that have built expanded successful, diverse, no-cut tennis programs with emphasis on character, leadership, and competitiveness.

The First Schackter Awards will be presented to the winning coaches at the finals of the MTC Tournament.

Taken from Letters to the Editor (pg. 8) in the October 2016 Issue of Tennis Industry Magazine.

The ‘Our Serve’ column in the July issue, “Fishing in Profitable Waters,” really hits home. While the 10 and Under Tennis Initiative has proven to be a great investment by the USTA, growing adult tennis participation has been challenging. Short-court forms of racquet sports, such as pickleball and platform tennis, have been experiencing faster rates of growth throughout the country.
My view is that both of these short-court games have an intrinsic value that tennis is not providing to the same degree. As you say, more marketing works on the 50-plus market might result in more widespread tennis play and increased social presence, which is very important to the baby-boomer market.

By Denny Schackter
Tennis Priorities Co.

By Denny Schackter

During my tennis career, I have experienced private clubs and public facilities that conducted staff meetings, and some that did not. I cannot imagine why a tennis teaching facility would not have staff meetings, unless the owner or director was afraid of what might be said. The following reasons advocate staff meetings be conducted regularly with your club’s tennis professionals.

1. Advocate teamwork among staff
2. Get to know your fellow pros – personality, history, strengths and comfort zones, rather than just as one who teaches adults, kids, advanced players, etc.
3. Discover teaching strengths and weaknesses
4. Continuing education and professional development
   • special guest visit
   • assign professional workshop or symposia attendance
5. Communicate participation in community events and tennis tournaments
6. Share feedback from students
7. Build relationships between Director, Head Pro and tennis staff
8. Build consistent teaching philosophies and club branding, not only teaching staff, but with entire club staff
9. Expose new ideas
10. Exude pride in your facility
11. Plan social events as a staff
12. Nip potential conflicts before they fester
13. Set goals and develop a mission statement for the staff
14. Discuss upcoming events on site, including court maintenance, court reservation and availability issues
15. Discuss student class and/or travel team assignments

Of these, I believe the most important is Number 7, regarding teaching philosophy. The lack of a consistent club teaching philosophy, mission statement and policy can wreak havoc if one pro substitutes for another. Having a singular, unified voice from the club’s instruction department is paramount to the patrons’ (and parents) understanding the club’s teaching direction, the measurement for success of the program, and student improvement.

In addition to the philosophy, I sincerely hope all teaching professionals take a positive tack when dealing with fellow teachers. Each of us has strengths and weaknesses, and we must be tolerant of the attributes and shortcomings of others. Telling a student that another pro’s approach is wrong is inappropriate. You can say, “S/he makes a great point. Let me show you another possibility and you can choose which one works best for you.” This statement makes everyone look good.

There are many reasons why every tennis facility should conduct staff meetings. If your club is not among them, use this article to generate the discussion.