GCTA Board Minutes

GCTA Board Meeting
July 18, 2002
In Attendance: Jeff Johnston, Jake Will, Jr., Doug Snapp, Geri Schlegel, Connie Everhart,
Bill McCabe, Fran McCabe, Carol Alexander, Andy Alexander, Jean Shaw, Vince Solomon, Jake Will, Sr., Bob Hilborn, Jim Hendrix, Steve Ryuse, Harvey Beahm, Callie Ryan, Shirley Neibauer, Rita Brown
1. Call to Order
President Jeff Johnston called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of Minutes
He asked that those present take a moment and review the minutes from the April meeting. He commented that these minutes had been mailed to those who do not have e-mail, e-mailed to those who do have such access and are posted to the GCTA web site. Jeff asked for approval of the minutes; it was moved and seconded; the motion passed with a voice vote.
3. Treasurer's Report
Jake Will, Jr., gave the treasurer’s report. He made a special point that he had transferred money from the mutual fund to the flex funds. He presented a balance sheet showing $477 in the checking account, $81,983 in the flex fund, $5,253 in the junior fund and $1,420 in the Mansfield fund. Jeff asked for a motion to accept the report. It was moved, seconded, and passed.
4. Junior Wightman Cup & Junior Davis Cup
Steve Ryuse, who captained the Jr. Davis Cup team, was present to give the report. He stated that last year, being his first year, was a learning experience. He noted that the teams from other areas last year were very good. He decided that this year our area team would be a better team. He put together a group that won the event. He also noted that the Jr. Wightman Cup team won their event. He thanked Doug Snapp who was there both days to take pictures for the web site. Steve would like to have seen more newspaper coverage. Doug said that he had sent information to the Dispatch. He also sent articles and photos to the SNP papers and to the This Week publications. Steve said that the team had stayed in Springfield overnight. He would like to get T-shirts for the team. Doug noted that the budget would likely cover that. In the past, the captains have taken care of that and given the bill to the organization.
5. Women's Leagues
Rita Brown reported that the involvement this year was again very good. 134 teams are participating. The season is winding down; they are getting ready for the championships. There have been no real problems.
6. Men's Leagues
Gary Alexander was not present. Jeff reported that Gary had talked to him. The numbers were up. All leagues seem to be running smoothly. The Champ of Champs will take place on the 21st and 22nd of September if someone can be found to run it. Doug said he was certainly willing to do the organization and the draw. He was not certain he would be available on the Saturday due to the OSU-Cincinnati football game. Several people including Carol Alexander and Callie Ryan said they would be willing to help. The location is not set, but it was hoped that it could return to Northam Park. Jake Will, Jr., offered to contact Mike Haddow at Northam. As a note: Gary has indicated that this is the last year that he will be Men's Chair. We will need to have a new Chair for 2003.
7. USTA Summer Leagues
Terri Jones was not present. Shirley Neibauer reported in her place. She shared that the season is just about over. After this last week of competition, the winners will move on to play at the next level. Shirley informed us that a few clubs, as in the past, entered teams but then did not participate.
8. USA Junior Team Tennis
Shirley reported that all is going very well. We have 800 participants. This makes our Jr. Team Tennis program by the far the largest program in the Ohio Valley Tennis Organization. The last matches will be this week. The winners will then move on to play other areas at the Wittenberg University courts. After that, it is possible that we will have players at Indianapolis. Doug commented that the size of our program was a reflection of the efforts that Shirley had made and that she should be congratulated. Shirley did say that with our program being so large, it would have been nice if the next level of play could have been held here in Columbus. She concluded by saying that the novice division which has the youngest kids and which was new last year really seemed to enjoy their playing experience.
9. Area and District Qualifier
Carol Alexander began by talking about the District Girls’ 16’s. She said that they had a full draw, though maybe not as strong a draw as some in the past. She thanked the people who helped her with the tournament: Dana Monsul, Connie Splawnyk, Vince Solomon, Otto Laster, Bob Long, Andy Alexander, and Doug Snapp. Andy, Dana, and Connie helped Carol administrate the tournament. Otto was the tournament referee and was assisted by Vince and Bob. Doug was responsible for doing the computer work and posting the information to the Tennis Information site.  All volunteered their time to make this tournament run as successful as it did. Of course, the fact that there was very little rain helped the tournament run smoothly. Vince said that the use of super tie breaks in some matches also kept the tournament moving. Carol concluded by saying that a donation would be made to Upper Arlington High School as in the past. They provide the courts free of charge, but we have always given them money. Doug added that pictures from this event were on the web site.
Jim Hendrix reported on the Area Qualifier. It ran quite well. As was the case last year, the clubs ran the different divisions. Jim said that there was a 30% increase in the number of boys participating; this was mainly in the boys’ 12’s and 16’s. TennisLink as way to enter the tournament worked very well. This saved him much time. He was disappointed with the participation in the 18’s; both draws for the girls and boys were not as big as he would like to see. It was suggested that high school coaches be contacted and perhaps this would increase these draws. Doug shared that two letters had been sent to the high school coaches; one was from Jeff and one was from Wayne Wookey. Both letters had information about the Area Qualifier. Others involved with the Area Qualifier tournament were Janet Craycraft, Janet Wise, and Wayne Wookey. Doug complimented Jim for Jim’s knowledge in putting the information together on the computer and thanked him for the help with his own computer work for Carol.
10. Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
Connie Everhart shared that the lessons provided by CRPD are going well from the peewee level up through the adult level. She said there would be 3 adult sessions this year. The Jr. Team players are playing at recreation center sites. At Schiller Park, the old courts have been replaced with four new courts. The courts at Wolfe Park are being redone. A total of $400,000 has been set aside for tennis court improvement. If the GCTA members have priority as to which courts should be repaired, let Connie know. Lastly, Connie said that they were looking for a grassroots program for next year for the younger players.
11. Umpires
Vince Solomon voiced his concern about the way umpires are dealt with at some tennis events. Not only has there been a big difference in the way they are paid, there is a difference in the way they are treated. At some events, it has even been difficult to find a drink of water. He has talked to Doug Snapp, the GCTA Secretary, and talked to USTA. Vince acknowledged that it was perhaps his fault for not getting the tournament directors to specify how umpires would be taken care of. Doug provided the e-mail regarding this issue that Vince had sent him. Vince added that the umpires had been treated very nicely at the winter tournament at Wickertree. He would like to put together a set of guidelines that all umpires in the area would follow. Doug said he would provide Vince with a list of local umpires. Vince concluded by saying he will continue to talk to the USTA about these concerns and move forward with the guidelines.
12. Ohio Valley Tennis Association
No Report
13. Champion of Champions
 As already discussed, the men’s tournament will be the 21st and 22nd of September. Shirley reported that the women’s tournament is set to begin August 14th. It will continue on the 15th. Various locations will be used. The finals are to be played on the 16th at the New Albany Country Club.
14. Awards Ceremony
Jean Shaw reported that she will be organizing the event this year. It will take place on September 29th. As in the past, the location will be the Upper Arlington Municipal Building. It begins at 4:00 PM. Jean will meet with Janet Craycraft who has organized the ceremony for the past several years. One suggestion was to invite the Jr. Davis and Wightman Cup teams, as they were first place finishers this year. Jean asked Steve Ryuse if names and addresses could be provide. He felt this would be no problem.
15. Old Business
Harvey Beahm commented on the success of the ITA Summer Hardcourts at OSU. This tournament concluded on Tuesday, the 16th of July. Harvey admitted that he was happy to have it completed. He felt there was great coverage from the print media, radio, and TV. He was pleased with the number of people who were in attendance. Jeff complimented Harvey on his efforts to get the good coverage. Jeff agreed with Harvey’s assessment of the crowd; Jeff felt it was the best attendance that he has seen in the area for any event. Jeff concluded by saying that people will come to tennis events if they are made aware of such events. Doug added how impressed he was with the crowd. He took a number of pictures; these pictures can be seen on our web site.
16. New Business
Jeff shared his committee recommendations. These committees need to be done with their business  and report at the September meeting. He said chairs could add members as they needed and that members not mentioned could participate by contacting chairs. The Awards Committee: Jean Shaw (Chair), Janet Craycraft, Callie Ryan, Doug Snapp, and Gary Alexander. The Budget Committee: Jeff Johnston (Chair), Rita Brown, Gary Alexander, Connie Everhart, Janet Craycraft, Jim Hendrix, Jake Will, Jr., and Carol Alexander. The Nominating Committee: Doug Snapp (Chair), Harvey Beahm, Jim Flower, Geri Schlegel, Jean Shaw, Les Varnado, Sharon Rusk.
Andy Alexander pointed out that he had brought posters promoting the upcoming Tennis Masters Series tournament in Cincinnati.
In another issue, Andy explained that he serves on the Multicultural Committee for the USTA. He would like to get some numbers as to multicultural participation in our programs as well as other programs in the central Ohio area. He said that this would include indoor memberships. The USTA is placing great emphasis on increasing this area of participation.
Bob Hilborn was present to inform us that certain teams from the USTA winter leagues have made it to the next level. He hoped that the GCTA would support them as in the past. Jake said that there is a line item in the budget and that Bob only need to make a request to him for the amount needed. The line item is $3,800. Jim Hendrix explained to Bob how fees would come from Joyce Engle of the Ohio Valley Tennis Organization.
17. Adjournment
Jake Will moved, Carol Alexander seconded, and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted.
Doug Snapp
GCTA Secretary

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