The American Dream City is home to one of the best tennis tournament directors in the country.
Five of the nation's top tennis tournament directors were selected by a subcommittee of the United States Tennis Association's Junior Competition Committee to be named the first class of "Blue Ribbon" tournament directors. The tournament directors were honored and rewarded as the best and brightest tournament directors around the country for their hard work and dedication with the tournaments they are tasked with running.
Sheryl Osborn of Arlington, TX, was one of five directors who were recently treated to a trip to New York City and a day at the U.S. Open.
Osborn, 58, is the Tennis Programs Manager for Arlington Parks and Recreation, Facility Manager for Arlington Tennis Center. She runs around 20 tournaments a year and is known as the "tournament machine" amongst staff at Arlington Tennis Center. It was Osborn's first trip to New York City and first time at the U.S. Open.
The Junior Competition subcommittee reviewed a wide range of candidates from across the country. Particular emphasis was given to the prominent national tournament directors who also run tournaments at the section, district, state and local levels.
"The tournament directors chosen were thoroughly vetted and are truly recognized as the best of the best," said Ellen Ehlers, USTA Junior Competition Subcommittee Sanction and Schedule Coordinator. "They really care about every aspect of the tournaments they run and at the end of the day the goal is for everyone who steps foot on tournament grounds, whether it's a player, parent or coach, to walk away feeling that this tournament was well run and met all of their expectations. These directors continuously exceed expectations."
While in New York City the tournament directors were able to debate best practices and strategize on how the USTA can attract new directors moving forward. The subcommittee and directors were also able to learn from each other, taking away new ideas, best practices and advice on mentoring and recruiting other directors.
"All of the tournament directors take such pride in what we do," said Osborn. "Everything that we do is because we care about the players, spectators, staff and everyone who is part of a tournament. The commitment and dedication the directors have is unlike any other and it truly shows in every tournament."
The five Blue Ribbon Tournament Directors were selected as follows:
| Ivan Baron, Tournament Chairman |
Parkland, Fla. |
| Robert Dunivan, Tournament Director/Referee |
Deer Park, Texas |
| Meghan Houk, Tournament Director and Facility Manager at Jim Reffkin Tennis Center |
Tucson, Ariz. |
| Lorraine Novak, Tournament Director |
Mobile, Ala. |
| Sheryl Osborn, Tennis Programs Manager for Arlington Parks and Recreation, Facility Manager for Arlington Tennis Center |
Arlington, Te |
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