Tennis continues to prosper in USTA Northern as the Section maintains laser-like focus on its strategic priorities which include: Community Tennis; People, Resources and Structure; Fiscal Responsibility; Diversity and Inclusion and Player Development.
Junior tournament participation was once again at an all-time high with over 12,875 registered competitors playing in more than 13,739 matches. USTA Northern had 16 players ranked in the top 100 of the nation, including Wyatt McCoy (Shoreview, Minn.) who was ranked #3 in the nation in Boys 18s at one point. Participation in USTA League Tennis grew 2.24% in 2011 as almost 9,000 players played and adult tournaments grew 3.43 percent.
USTA Jr. Team Tennis continues its rapid ascent as 300 teams participated in leagues (up 21%) and 174 teams competed at Area Championships (up 14%). Thirty-one teams also used the 10 and Under Tennis format in JTT competition in ‘11. Fourteen teams representing eight colleges competed at the 2011 Tennis on Campus Section Championship, and USTA Northern membership rose to over 13,100 members as the USTA offered free memberships to kids ages 10 and Under in 2011.
On the court, USTA Northern excelled as the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center Jr. Team Tennis squad placed fourth at the 18U Advanced National Championship and Michael Schroeder (Sioux Falls, S.D.) won the Boys Sportsmanship Award at the 18U Intermediate National Championships. Kaleb Dobbs (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Gregory Wischer (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Kavir Kumar (Minneapolis, Minn.) won USTA Junior Regional titles. Richard Martin (Hibbing, Minn.), Mickey Maule (Wayzata, Minn.), David Nash (Bloomington, Minn.), Jon Rydberg (Oakdale, Minn.) and Katie Vandenbosch (Farmington, Minn.) represented the United States in International competition. Professional Eric Butorac (Rochester, Minn.) won three ATP doubles championships in '11 and finished the year ranked 20th in the world in doubles. The Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis played host to the 2011 US Open Section Qualifying Tournament, the National Public Parks Championships and a USTA junior regional event, while Rapid City, S.D., Rochester, Minn., and Lakeville, Minn., all held USTA junior regional or national events.
Off the court, USTA Northern individuals and organizations claimed many National Awards as the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center was the 2011 NJTL of the Year for Level 4-5, David Wheaton (Tonka Bay, Minn.) received the Eugene Scott Renaissance Award, Belmar Gunderson (River Falls, Wis.) won the USTA Service Bowl Award, the Huether Family (of Sioux Falls, S.D.) was named the 2011 USTA Ralph Westcott Family of the Year. Sue Gregor won the Barbara Williams Leadership Award and Sierra Halverson received the Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award. Matt Boughton (Eau Claire, Wis.) won the USPTA Industry Excellence Award, while Steve Wilkinson (St. Peter, Minn.) won the USPTA Presidential Award and Tony Larson (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) was named the USPTA Men's Open Player of the Year. USTA Northern also inducted six new members into its Hall of Fame including Tom Boice (Wayzata, Minn.), Tim Butorac (Rochester, Minn.), John Desmond (Minneapolis, Minn.), Nick Pappas (Minneapolis, Minn.), Mary Thompson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Greg Wicklund (Edina, Minn.).
The Section continued to develop its tennis infrastructure as almost $130,000 was invested in court construction and renovation projects by the USTA and USTA Northern. USTA Northern awarded almost $9,950 in Community Tennis Grants in '11, and 35 facilities added blended lines to their courts. The city of St. Paul, Minn., was named one of 21 10 and Under “Target Markets” nationally by the USTA and will receive $75,000 over the next three years for 10 and Under tennis. An astounding 760 people attended tennis trainings in 2011, while the Section did 35 school programs and participated in 19 different diversity and community outreach initiatives. Thirty-five junior players also received scholarships from either USTA Northern, the USTA or the Northern Tennis Foundation in 2011.
Finally, at the Annual Meeting in November, the USTA Northern organizational members approved USTA Northern merging with the Northern Tennis Foundation and becoming an official 501 (c)(3) organization as of January 1, 2012.