ASBA Honors Distinguished Sports Facilities
One of the highlights of ASBA's Technical Meeting in New Orleans (see previous article) is the presentation of its Annual Awards.  Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence. Read More...

Elections 2008 - New Officers Installed
Nominations & Elections Chairman Pete Smith announced the results of the 2008 Elections: 
Kristoff Eldridge, CTB, Cape & Island Tennis & Track, Pocasset, MA; Track Division President (through 2010)
Ed Norton, Holcombe Norton Partners, Birmingham, AL; Professional Division President (through 2010) Read More...

ASBA Honors Hogan with Industry Merit Award
The Industry Merit Award, ASBA's highest individual honor, is presented to a person whose contributions, both to the Association and the industry, have been outstanding.  The 2008 honoree was Carol Hogan, ASBA's former executive vice president.. Read More...

Why Mom Always Liked You Best
Fresh back from a brief visit to the Technical Meeting in New Orleans, I had what Oprah calls an "Ah Ha" moment.  I went to New Orleans because Carol Hogan, my boss of twenty-five years, was receiving the Industry Merit Award - a distinction she truly deserved and I just couldn't miss it.  In the process I learned why Mom Always Liked ASBA best.  (Poor Carol, she's only a tiny bit older than I am but because she was so smart and caring she got to be the "Mom" of the office.)
Read More...

QuickStart Tennis Aims to Teach Kids Racquet Skills
What can encourage kids to take up the sport of tennis and then stick with it?  How about something that makes it easier for kids to learn?

A new learning format, discussed at this year's Technical Meeting in New Orleans, is now emphasizing beginner tennis facilities that feature shorter courts, lower nets and softer, spongier balls.  These new ideas have one goal - to serve up forehand, backhand and serve in child-size proportions.  It's all part of the great effort to grow the sport and make it more appealing to the younger set.

The rationale?  If other sports, such as baseball, can start kids off with smaller facilities (Little League, for example), why not tennis?  The goal is making the skills easy and fun to master, rather than so challenging that prospective players go stomping off the court in search of their Nintendo.
Read More...

The Importance of Public and Municipal Facilities
Public courts and municipal recreation facilities are sometimes overlooked by those who concentrate on playing sports or participating in recreational activities in what might be considered a 'formal' setting, such as an athletic club or other private facility.  However, two recent pieces of information are highlighting the importance of public and municipal facilities. Read More...

May We "Quote" You?
One of ASBA's most important programs is its technical articles, which are written for trade magazines in various segments of the industry, including design, tennis, track, indoor and fields facilities.  We are always looking for our members to comment on and be quoted in these articles.  This is an excellent chance to help raise ASBA's profile and, in an ancillary capacity, to increase visibility for your company.  If you would like to be quoted in these articles, please send an e-mail to Mary Helen Sprecher at mhsprecher@verizon.net Read More...

Board Happenings
Fall Board Meeting Read More...

Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming meetings and events of interest. Read more...

It's always nice to come back from an ASBA Technical Meeting and be able to say that it was a great success.  New Orleans has always been a draw for our ASBA members and this year was no exception.  On all counts, the meeting was a homerun for ASBA:  record attendance of 380+; forty-seven exhibitors (up from thirty last year); educational sessions that received rave reviews from participants; and an awards program that continues to grow - both in number of entries and industry recognition.

We received more than 100 responses to our post-meeting survey this year (another record), which was conducted online following the meeting.  This level of participation and interest is representative of the energy and enthusiasm that exists right now within the Association.  Ninety-two percent of survey respondents rated the Technical Meeting Good/Excellent. Participants' feedback from these surveys will be used to further enhance our meetings moving forward.

As most of you know by now, ASBA has just completed a seamless transition from Franklin Thomas Association Management to King Stringfellow Group, Inc. (KSG).  Fred Stringfellow, our new EVP; new staff member Eileen Laidler; and longtime mainstay Cynthia Jordan, did a wonderful job running this year's meeting.  For those of you who were there, I'm sure you'll agree that the new team has come up to speed quickly and has started to adapt to our "ASBA culture."

Former EVP Carol Hogan, was the recipient of ASBA's prestigious Industry Merit Award, a well-deserved honor for Carol's tireless efforts on behalf of ASBA over the years.  Carol was present in New Orleans to receive the award.

An esteemed group of industry friends participated in this year's Technical Meeting, including Peggy Beard, of USTA's Technical Committee and former ASBA Chair; Virgil Christian, of USTA; Brian O'Donnell of Tennis Industry Association; Dr. Collin Young of SAPCA; Larry Eder of American Track & Field Magazine; Peter Francesconi and John Hanna of Racquet Sports Industry Magazine.

In talking to folks at the meeting, the consensus seemed to be that 2008 was a better than expected year for most; great for some and not so good for others.  Our outlook for 2009 is guarded, in part because of the continuing "upbeat" news coverage.  It will be interesting to see what the consensus is in February when we gather in Puerto Rico for the Winter Meeting.  We look forward to seeing all of you at our first offshore meeting in many years.  The meeting schedule has been compressed in an effort to give you time to enjoy Puerto Rico on your own before and/or after the ASBA Winter Meeting.

Best Wishes for a Prosperous 2009! 

George Todd, Jr., CTCB
Chairman

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MEETINGS

Fun and a Whole Lot of ASBA Business: Winter Meeting 2009
No, that last part isn't a mistake.  In fact, it's a pretty important component - as long as you're talking about the ASBA's Winter Meeting.  This year, that meeting will be held from February 26-March 2 at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, located in beautiful and exotic San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This year, in a departure from tradition, ASBA will be venturing offshore for its Winter Meeting.  The great news?  No passport is needed to visit Puerto Rico.  For five days, you can catch up with industry colleagues, help the ASBA continue its great progress and enjoy tennis, golf, fishing, water sports and the many diversions this beautiful island has to offer.

The Winter Meeting has become known as 'Spring Break for ASBA.'  In this vacation setting, colleagues and competitors leave rivalries behind and come together to help the Association.  Working sessions and ASBA business meetings are held in the mornings, while most afternoons are left open.  There are plenty of opportunities for socializing and relaxing.  Plus, those who want good-natured competition will find it in the Golf, Tennis and Fishing Tournaments.

Mark your calendar now, and make your plans!  By now you should have received registration materials for the meeting.  If you have not, please visit the website, www.sportsbuilders.org or, for more information, call Cynthia at ASBA at 866.501.ASBA (2722) to be added to the mailing list.

Technical Meeting 2008: New Orleans, LA — Were You There?
While much of the rest of the country braced for winter or idly went about holiday shopping, those who made the trip to New Orleans for the 2008 ASBA Technical Meeting were making the most of the off-season.

Tony Mackay, CTCB, Court Care Systems, Wantagh, NY & Gerry Wright, CTCB, Court One, Youngsville, NC after enjoying a round of golf.

Peter Francesconi, Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, Woodberry, CT, presents the Builder of the Year Award from RSI Magazine to Bruce Mahler, CTCB & David Marsden, CTCB, Boston Tennis Court Construction Co., Hanover, MA

The program was comprehensive and varied, addressing the needs of all membership divisions, including tennis, track, fields and indoor facilities.  Technical Sessions included Vapor Emissions, Safety Issues on the Job Site, Track Certification, Fencing Materials and Installation, Indoor Roundtable and others.  Some sessions, meanwhile, had a more general focus, including Communications, Marketing Your Business, Liquidated Damages in Construction Contracts and MRSA.

In addition to offering the Tennis and Track Certification exams - and to presenting certificates to those who had become certified in the past year - the ASBA Technical Meeting saw an increased interest in, and support of, the certification program.  This was due in no small part to the fact that the designation of Certified Track Builder had successfully been upheld as a bid qualification in a legal challenge.  (For full information, see the article in Vol. 41, the October 2008 issue of NEWSLINE.)

In addition to offering separate breakfasts for Certified Tennis Court Builders and Certified Track Builders, ASBA held sessions to discuss the Certification Program and what was involved in sitting for the exam.  In addition, Certification Chairs promoted the designation and the program in Tennis and Track Division meetings.  The Annual Business Luncheon also saw a mention of the program and its accomplishments.  (Those who are interested in sitting for the exam can find information on ASBA's website or can call the Association Headquarters to receive paperwork in either electronic or hard copy.) 

Rewarding the Best

Another tradition of the Technical Meeting - the presentation of ASBA's awards - took place at both the Opening General Session and the Closing Dinner.  (For more information on these awards, see the followingg article.)

It wasn't all work, though.  The Tennis and Golf Tournaments, held prior to the meeting itself, provided, as always, a forum for competition — and good-natured heckling.

The Tennis Tournament, played on the indoor courts of the Hilton New Orleans, was managed by chairman Tommy DeRosa.  When the dust settled, the winners were:
"A" Division (pictured at right):
1st place:  John Hanna, RSI Magazine, Atlanta, GA and Roberto Hess, Novagrass, Mexico
2nd place:  Pat Hannsen, Lee Tennis Courts, Charlottesville, VA and Pete Francesconi, Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, Woodbury, CT
"B" Division
1st place:  Bruce Mahler and Tom DeRosa
2nd place:  George Tavarez and Kent Harrison

The Golf Tournament, another annual tradition, was held at the Audubon Golf Club under the direction of John Welborn.  Winners were:
Closest to the Pin:  Rob Werner
Longest Drive:  Mike Burke
 
1st place team:  John Boarman, Chris Boarman, Darrel Snyder and Darren Snyder (14 under par)
2nd place team: (pictured at right):  Matt Savage, Matt Wilson, Glen Maurer (Vasco Sports Contractors, Massillon, OH) and Mike Vinton (Nidy Sports Construction Co., Inc., Sanford, FL)
3rd place team:  Rob Werner, Mark Brogan, Megan Taylor and Pete Smith

(Note to those who are itching for payback, dying to show off their prowess or just want another chance on the court or course with their colleagues and competitors:  see the lead article about the 2009 Winter Meeting and Technical Meeting.  Prime opportunities await you.)

After hours, the attractions of New Orleans beckoned to attendees.  The Astor was conveniently situated at the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets — the epicenter of N'awlins, within walking distance of all the great cultural attractions, restaurants, bars, shops and more in the French Quarter.  Attendees enjoyed great weather and managed to get out of New Orleans just a day or two ahead of a most unwelcome guest — the first snowfall seen in that city in years.

Those who couldn't attend the 2008 Technical Meeting can get a chance to see exactly what they missed — an excellent program.  Check out many of the PowerPoint presentations and handouts available on the ASBA website.  However, the real lesson to be learned is don't miss another Technical Meeting!

The 2009 Technical Meeting will be held from December 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, GA.  Members will receive information about this meeting automatically.  Others should keep checking the website, www.sportsbuilders.org, for more information, or can call Cynthia at ASBA at 866.501.ASBA to be added to the mailing list.

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FEATURED ARTICLES

ASBA Honors Distinguished Sports Facilities
One of the highlights of ASBA's Technical Meeting in New Orleans (see previous article) is the presentation of its Annual Awards.  Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence.

Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence.  Winners are announced in the fall and presentation of award plaques is made at the meeting in December.

Above is George Todd, Jr., CTCB, Welch Tennis Courts Inc., Sun City, FL presenting the Court of the Year Award to Jonnie Deremo, CTCB, General Acrylics, Inc., Phoenix, AZ.

The Awards Committee, a volunteer panel of ASBA members, judges entries anonymously.  Projects are scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation and overall impression.  Winning entries are those whose cumulative scores meet or exceed the standard.

The call for entries for ASBA Awards will be sent out again in summer of 2009.  Information on the Awards Program is available to all members.

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Elections 2008 - New Officers Installed

Nominations & Elections Chairman Pete Smith announced the results of the 2008 Elections: 

Kristoff Eldridge, CTB, Cape & Island Tennis & Track, Pocasset, MA; Track Division President (through 2010)

Kristoff Eldridge is the Track Division Manager at Cape & Island Track & Tennis and has been with the company since 1993.  Mr. Eldridge has spoken at the ASBA Technical Meeting numerous times, has been a member of the Track Book Committee since 2006, Track Technical Co-Chair since 2007 and has represented the ASBA at the NCAA/NFHS meetings.

Eldridge graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Business Management) from Bridgewater State College.  He was All-Conference Captain in Track & Field and a Captain of the football team.

Mr. Eldridge states, “I would like to help continue the growth and development of the ASBA.  As we move through this time of transition, it is important not to lose sight of our Association’s purpose.  I believe the goals I have for the Track Division are much the same as those set forth by our current Division President.  The primary goal would be furthering of our cause with the governing bodies of track & field.  This includes improving our credibility and brand awareness, as well as effecting change within each governing body (NFHS, NCAA, etc.).  This will ultimately improve the level of work being done in our industry, as well as improve the value of our Association membership.”

Ed Norton, Holcombe Norton Partners, Birmingham, AL; Professional Division President (through 2010)

Ed Norton is a partner with Holcombe Norton Partners, Inc. and has been with the same business for twenty-five years.  Mr. Norton has spoken at the ASBA Technical Meeting a number of times, and has been on the Synthetic Turf Manual Committee for the past two years.

Norton is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture.  A few of his past offices held are:  President and Executive Committee member of the Alabama Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Board member of the Alabama Zoological Society and a member of the Landscape Architecture Advisory Council for Auburn University.

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ASBA Honors Hogan with Industry Merit Award

During Carol Hogan's twenty year tenure with the Association, she helped implement new programs and overhaul existing ones.  She wrote technical publications, including Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual, Running Tracks: A Construction and Maintenance Manual, and Synthetic Turf Sports Fields: A Construction and Maintenance Manual.

Hogan worked to foster strong relationships with and improve ASBA's recognition among governing bodies, including NFHS, NCAA and the ITF.  Under her direction, the Association grew in membership and in strength.

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Why Mom Always Liked You Best
by Judi A. Mellendick

Carol, Cynthia, Mary Helen, Linda, Karen and I have worked with many associations in our careers with Carol's company, Franklin/Thomas Association Management.  Heck, some days it seemed like without a Daytimer, Blackberry or PalmPilot, we'd surely show up at the wrong meeting, at the wrong time.  We had friends in each association we managed, but when we were having one of those days and we needed a lift, we'd have a carpet picnic and call upon Carol or one of her associates to tell us an ASBA story to lighten the mood.  (And trust me, ASBA stories were never in short supply.)

As Carol neared her retirement, we began the process of reducing our list of clients to one:  ASBA.  Prior to that point, I had only heard the stories; I hadn't met the folks unless they happened into our Ellicott City office as I was the one theoretically holding down the fort during the Technical and Winter Meetings.  After a while, I started going to the July board meetings in Baltimore to discuss the budget so I became acquainted with our board members and Treasurers.  But when I started attending the Technical Meetings, that's when I got to meet more of the members and make more of the memories worthy of a carpet picnic story.

But today, working on closing out the books of Franklin/Thomas and reflecting on the fun I had in New Orleans, I think I know why Carol (and the rest of us) liked ASBA the best.  It came to me that while we had friends and good times in our other associations, I don't think we would have been comfortable having THAT MUCH FUN with any of them.  Seldom do you get to work with such a large group of people that you genuinely care about and have such affection for.  It's a gift.  I'm so glad we had the gift of working/playing with ASBA for all these years.  I am very happy that Cynthia, Fred, Eileen and Amy and the rest from King Stringfellow Group will have the honor of continuing that work.  

Much future success to ASBA and thanks so much for the memories!

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QuickStart Tennis Aims to Teach Kids Racquet Skills
The USTA is embracing the QuickStart format, aimed at the 10-and-under set, the demographic the industry wants to cultivate in an attempt to have future American Grand Slam champs.  The program groups children according to age (5-6, 7-8 and 9-10), to keep larger, stronger children from dominating lessons and getting more attention from instructors.

Starting to see a pattern here?  Smaller kids = smaller courts and equipment; bigger kids = bigger courts and equipment.  Because the balls are softer, with a lower, slower bounce, kids won't become frustrated by constantly hitting out of bounds.  That translates into more courts that can be laid out in a common area, such as a gym or a playground.  Playing lines can be marked with painter's tape (for indoor areas) or with chalk (for outdoor areas) with nets set up temporarily where necessary.

Count on hearing more about the QuickStart format as time goes on.  Racquet Sports Industry Magazine carried several articles in the March 2008 issue.  (Information can be obtained by going to the magazine's website, www.racquetsportsindustry.com and using the "Magazine Search" feature.  Type in "QuickStart" to find all articles.)  Further information about QuickStart, as well as rules and equipment, can be obtained by going to the USTA website of www.usta.com and clicking on the "Play Now" button near the top of the screen.

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The Importance of Public and Municipal Facilities

American College of Sports Medicine: 

Local Recreational Facilities Promote Kids' Health

Are kids likely to use public sports facilities, like running tracks and tennis courts?  Sure - provided they can get to them.  According to a study in the December issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the official scientific journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, kids who lived closest to recreational facilities, and who perceived the areas around them as being safe, were most likely to use those facilities.

According to the study, children who could walk or bike to facilities, including not only courts and tracks but indoor recreational facilities, playing fields, pools, parks and other areas, were more likely to use those facilities, and to remain active, than kids who lived further from those facilities or who felt the trip to them was unsafe.

One of the pediatricians whose research team conducted the study, Mollie Greves Grow, MD, MPH, noted, "Children who can access recreational facilities on foot or by bike are able to be more active - they don't have to depend on a parent driving them someplace." The study concluded that lawmakers can alter their city planning to provide access to safe walking and biking to recreational facilities to ensure that all residents have prime opportunities for activity.

Some recent statistics provided by the USTA are shining a good light on the future of tennis, particularly as it relates to the use of municipal courts.

The Tennis in the Parks (TIP) Community Initiative, developed jointly by USTA and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has the purpose of supporting local park and recreation agencies who want to improve the quality of their community tennis programs and, in doing so, increase tennis participation.
The program operates on several levels.  According to the USTA's website, it promotes quality tennis programming from instruction, team tennis and league play to marketing and partnerships.  Additionally, it is focused on making sure that public tennis facility infrastructure is in optimum condition.  It is also committed to helping communities create an advocacy agenda that supports tennis facilities and programs.

Tennis in the Parks resources include program material, on-court training guides, scholarships to workshops, individual consultations with USTA representatives and eligibility for facility technical assistance which may lead to funding.  As of 2007, a total of 1,300 agencies had taken advantage of TIP's resources, including the information on the QuickStart Tennis format (see related article elsewhere in this newsletter).  All Tennis in the Parks communities automatically receive a copy of ASBA's Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual .  (As a side note, because QuickStart is described in the book, courts used for QuickStart are eligible for community funding.)

The USTA's Public Facility Assistance and Funding Program, an essential component in bringing tennis back to many parks, helps communities upgrade, renovate or build a new public park tennis facility.  As of August 2008, the USTA had reported receiving 251 inquiries regarding the program.  A total of twenty-nine applications were received by the USTA and twenty-one were funded, for a total of $432,748 on 135 courts and a total investment of $2.2 million.  (Note:  Between 2005 and 2008, a total of 596 applications were received and 150 were funded.  Four hundred million eight hundred thousand dollars $4.8 million was spent on 1,107 courts, with a total of $44.2 million invested.)

Want to tell someone about the program?  The e-mail at the USTA is technical@usta.com and the national contact is Shannon Hatton, Programs Coordinator, at 914.696.7291.

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May We "Quote" You?
Please indicate your area(s) of expertise:  Tennis, Track, Indoor, Fields, Design, etc., so that we do not bother you with excess e-mail.  Note: You can appear on several lists if you have several areas of interest.
 
If you have previously sent Mary Helen an e-mail asking to be added to her e-mail list, please confirm now that you would like to remain on the list.  In addition, if your e-mail has changed and you have not been receiving questions, please contact her with your current e-mail address.

Thank you - we look forward to hearing from you!

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BOARD HAPPENINGS

December 7, 10, 2008

During our most recent Board meetings, the members of the Board undertook the following actions:

1. Agreed to focus on member retention and membership growth in the coming year.  Follow up calls to non-renewed members were assigned to Board following TM; suppliers will be asked to assist with membership campaign to prospective builder members in 2009.
2. The Field Builders Certification Advisory Committee conducted a first meeting with Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) on December 5th for job analysis.  Amidst momentum and enthusiasm surrounding Field Builders Certification, the ASBA Board approved funding to proceed with the final stages of the certification development process with a goal of offering the first exam at 2009 Technical Meeting.
3. Approved Cancun, Mexico as site of 2010 Winter Meeting and Southern California for 2011 Technical Meeting.
4. Agreed that offering AIA continuing education units was well received by attendees at ASBA Technical Meeting.  ASBA will continue to offer and promote AIA CEUs and will research offering CEUs for Landscape Architects in the future.
5. Agreed to conduct Strategic Planning Retreat in Baltimore in July 2009.  Steve Lane, of Vertical Leap Consulting, will be retained to facilitate the process..

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MEMBER NEWS

Editor’s Note: Information contained in Memberline is submitted by members and is published without verification. Its publication does not constitute an endorsement.

Find Out What Your Colleagues Are Up To

Boston Tennis Courts Named RSI Sports Industry Builder/Contractor of the Year

Novacrylic® Tennis Courts Donated to The Storied Libby Racquet Club

Lee Tennis Court Products, the Maker of HAR-TRU®, Endorses Wilson Trance II Shoe for Best Play on Clay  

Boston Tennis Courts Named RSI Sports Industry Builder/Contractor of the Year
At the Awards Dinner held during the ASBA Technical Meeting, the 2008 Racquet Sports Industry Builder/Contractor of the Year Award was presented to Boston Tennis Court Construction Company of Hanover, MA and its two owners, Dave Marsden and Bruce Mahler.

"BTC excels at giving their clients amazing service," said RSI Editorial Director Peter Francesconi in presenting the award.  "Suppliers and customers alike praise them for their workmanship and integrity."

RSI's annual "Champions of Tennis" awards, which appears in the magazine's January issue, were created in 2001 "to honor the often-unheralded heroes of the sport," said Francesconi, "those who are making a difference in tennis and in the business of tennis."

Previous Builder of the Year winners are Sportsline, the Courtsmiths, Fast-Dry Companies, Zaino Tennis, General Acrylics, Cape & Island Tennis and Track and Welch Tennis Courts.

Novacrylic® Tennis Courts Donated to The Storied Libby Racquet Club
Nova Sports USA Inc. of Milford, MA along with Midpac Tennis Construction of Kirkland, WA have donated labor and materials to complete three tennis courts at the Libby Racquet Club in Libby, MT.  The club, which was founded by 2008 USTA Intermountain Lifetime of Service to Tennis Award recipient Herb Niels in 1960, has become in dire need of renovation.  The courts were constructed as part of the Billy Jean King and Dennis Van der Meer "Tennis America Program" to give the small working class community a first rate tennis and swim facility.  Mr. Neils who had trained under Dennis Van der Meer to become a USPTA #1 Certified Teaching Pro has given the financially challenged area thousands of free lessons throughout the years.  Many of his students have gone on to win state and regional tournaments along with receiving tennis scholarships to several major universities.  From 1965 to 1995 young tennis players from around the world traveled to Libby, MT to attend one of the nation's top summer tennis programs along with competing in a yearly USTA sanctioned tournament.  Today the tennis club is used for not only Libby, but the Whitefish, Polson, Columbia Falls, Mission, Kalispell and Troy, MT high school tennis programs.  Nova Sports USA Inc. is proud to be a part of the effort in restoring the Libby Racquet Club back to its glory.

Lee Tennis Court Products, the Maker of HAR-TRU®, Endorses Wilson Trance II Shoe for Best Play on Clay
Lee Tennis Court Products (LTCP) steps up to endorse the shoe that's best suited for successful play on clay:  the Wilson Trance II.  LTCP partnered with Wilson to provide tennis players the ultimate playing experience by maximizing comfort, control and slide for all players.  Wilson Trance II shoes are tagged with HAR-TRU® labels to showcase the shoes' compatibility and playability on clay court tennis surfaces.

"We are excited about offering players with a love for the game yet another chance to raise their game to new levels and to provide them the safest and most comfortable playing experience."  Randy Futty, General Manager of LTCP, added, "We are honored to have the HAR-TRU® brand be linked so closely with Wilson, an American icon in performance racquet sports equipment."

Pat Hanssen, LTCP director of sales said, "When playing on clay courts, HAR-TRU® courts specifically, you want the ability to slide and pivot, but in a very controlled manner; the Trance II is the best shoe at balancing comfort and control safely on clay as well as all other court surfaces."  According to Hanssen, the Wilson Trance II provides superior traction with its full herringbone tread that wraps up the sides of the shoe.

Tennis players of all experience levels will find something to love about the Wilson Trance II, with its low-cut profile, ample cushioning with DST foam in the heel and ankle collar, along with plenty of stability for more aggressive players.  As an added bonus, the shoe is made of washable material for easy cleaning after a clay court match.

"We're happy that the Wilson Trance II received this breakthrough endorsement from HAR-TRU®," said Cory Springer, Wilson's Marketing Director for USA Racquet Sports.  "Avid clay court players need the necessary tools and gear to succeed and like Lee Tennis Court Products we are committed to providing players with the right equipment to play their best."

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The following companies have joined the ASBA or renewed their membership since the last newsletter. Please add their names to the appropriate section of your membership directory.

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CALENDAR  

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