National Girls and Women in Sports Day: USTA Florida Volunteers & Staff

On National Girls & Women in Sports Day, USTA Florida wants to illustrate how sport influences all girl’s and women’s journeys, including those within the organization. Today, we share a few volunteers and staff stories of how the sport of tennis has shaped their future success. These individuals carry on their passion for the sport into their everyday roles and actively enhance the sport within their communities. From our dedicated volunteers to our hard-working staff, women in our sport inspire the next generation of girls in tennis.

Dana Andrews – USTA Florida Past-President & Volunteer

I was someone who loved all sports growing up.  My dad took me to the US Open when I was 12, and I was hooked on tennis.  I first started playing with my mom, and then I “graduated” to Saturday morning battles with my dad. Of course, not totally realizing it, I was having quality time with both of them, and a love and passion for the game we always shared.

As a junior player, it was unique at that age to travel throughout the state. I was competing against players who also became good friends. I grew in confidence, discipline, and how to be gracious in winning and losing.
I was blessed with colleges implementing Title IX and was able to play at the University of Georgia and experience the amazing “team environment.”

In my career, I often share how tennis taught me life lessons I could apply off the court. I like to say, “It’s a sport that builds character.” I strive to always do my best, keep learning even when I may be tired, not worry about the things I cannot control, and know that if I put in the work, whatever the outcome I can “hold my head high”. These are all traits that I learned on the court.

Approximately 10 or more years ago I felt the call to give back to this sport that has meant so much in my life and that of my family, in a volunteer capacity. If it is possible, I have experienced as much personal growth as a volunteer that I have received as a player! Having an opportunity to introduce the sport of tennis to new and diverse players has meant the world to me. Making new friends, that become like a family to me, to carry the mission together to change lives through tennis is something I treasure. As my dad shared of his volunteer life in tennis “The time I put in is secondary to the enjoyment I get out of it.” That has been my experience on and off the court with this sport that I love and want to share with others.

Amy Barnhart – USTA Florida Marketing Director

I found tennis when I was in middle school as an alternative to soccer, my first sport of choice as a kid. Tennis quickly took over and it became my primary sport in middle school and beyond. I was formally taught by a female coach, Joan Davidson, teaching on a court she had in her backyard. I then shared countless hours on my closest public park courts “perfecting” my game with my dad. My highest level of competitive tennis would come when I was number five on my high school team at New Smyrna Beach High School. After high school, I continued to play tennis on and off recreationally and never thought it would play a pivotal role in my future career. What I do know that I learned through tennis that set me up for my future are these 3 things:  

1. Whether you’re on a team or not, you are accountable for your actions. This was a valuable lesson for me in life that I learned through playing doubles and singles. I always preferred playing doubles for the fun of it, but I always felt more pressure because I didn’t want to let my partner down. A lot of times it can be easier to blame your teammates for a loss, but I always looked inward and wanted to improve myself for how I could contribute better the next time. That is more glaring when you’re playing singles and you only have yourself to blame for any shortcomings that took place during the match. That mindset has brought me future success in all situations because I am able to look at how I can improve.
2. Have fun! As I mentioned, I wasn’t the most talented tennis player, so I wasn’t bringing home many trophies, but what I did bring home were memories and lifelong friendships. I was always smiling, laughing, and enjoying life when I was on the tennis court, much to the dismay of some of the more serious competitors around me. I think that if having fun wasn’t a priority for me in tennis, I wouldn’t love it as much and I wouldn’t have been able to learn lesson one listed above. How that has helped me for future success is that I believe we should enjoy whatever we do, and that has guided me to a career that is aligned with what I feel good about. I know that every day working for the US Tennis Association Florida Section and towards its mission of promoting and developing tennis for all, is ultimately aimed at giving everyone the experience of health, community, and the life lessons that tennis has provided me. And being able to do that through the creativity of Marketing and Communications field is the best of all worlds, in my book.
3. Tennis opens doors. Even though I wasn’t talented enough to play tennis in college and build more opportunities for myself through tennis past high school, I did pick up the general rules of the game. My educational and work experience combined with my basic knowledge of tennis was enough to give me my first opportunity in the tennis industry. Many people go into Marketing in college wanting to work in sports, and that wasn’t necessarily my goal, but my simple knowledge of tennis did propel me towards a career in sports marketing. In the end, it was tennis that opened the door to my first career and led me to where I am today.

Lori Burdell – USTA Florida Training and Quality Assurance Manager

I started tennis at 11 years old when my father helped a man from work, and he gifted him a tennis racquet for his gratitude. Immediately, I asked what that was on the table and it was my first racquet. It was an old wooden frame with a huge grip. I showed an interest and started lessons. A year later, the Battle of the Sexes with Billie Jean King vs Bobbie Riggs was televised, and I was hooked.

Character Building:

Sports in general were always my outlet, it gave me confidence and helped my self-esteem growing up. People that know me now, would never believe that I was a shy and introverted child. I would practice with the Girls High School team in the summer when I was in 8th grade.  We had a challenge ladder and I had to call players to play them. I was mortified and my parents had to talk me through each step to call. After a couple calls, I was ok, and my anxiety had submitted. 

Being challenged and making me come out of my comfort zone was a huge milestone for me. 

Continued Growth and Mentorship:

I continued to take lessons and became ranked in adult doubles and as a junior player in Middle States. The high school Coach, Pat Smith trained me and warmed me up prior to tournaments. I learned how to play smart tennis to work on consistency by watching lessons on the sidelines and tennis matches on tv. 

I advanced up the ranks and was asked to play in the Advanced Junior Program with top players in Pittsburgh with Peggy Michaels, former No. 1 Doubles player Evonne Goolagong, and Fritz Schunck, who was an NCAA Doubles Champion from Winter Park, Florida.  My game took off with discipline and smart goal setting.  

Opportunities:

My goal was to receive a college scholarship and I was offered a full ride at West Virginia University. I tried out for Michigan State, Ohio State, Mississippi State, and was offered partial scholarships as well. When I tried out for the Ohio State team, the coach and I played out points. She said if I ace her, she will offer me a scholarship, and I did. I will never forget it. She dropped her racquet with disbelief, and I laughed out loud. 

After college, I was the only female to teach tennis at the Pittsburgh Racquet club. I was offered a Head Tennis Coach position at Carnegie Mellon but I turned it down due to it being part-time. 

Doors Opened:

I drove down with my doubles partner to Florida just to ride down with her and I stayed in Florida and taught tennis at Sanlando Park. Later I worked at Walt Disney World as the Assistant Pro and later worked as the Head Men and Women’s Tennis Coach at UCF, and Lake Buena Vista Resort. It is true what they say about when one door closes another door opens. This had happened throughout my life. 

I always stayed with my passion by working in tennis and growing the game, especially the USTA Florida Community Coach Program, which is my passion.

Magali Holt – USTA Florida Strategic Projects Manager

I was exposed to tennis early on in my life, my grandparents were avid tennis players for as long as I can remember. They played in their local league a few times a week. My parents had also dabbled in tennis, as well as my cousins, and other family members. I first held a tennis racquet when I was 9 years old while attending a community day at my local tennis club. I think I fell in love with the sport instantly.

Tennis has taught me so many great life lessons that can be applied on and off the court, but I think one that encompasses many of them is that on a tennis court or in life you must be able to adapt your match plan. There are only so many things you can control. When you play a match, you control where you serve to start the point, but you don’t control the sun, the wind, or where your opponent will return your serve. You can practice hard and prepare a solid match plan, but you must be quick on your feet to adapt to the factors that you can’t control and adjust your strategy. I think that is a valuable lesson to apply in your professional or personal life.

Tennis also provided me with amazing opportunities to travel, meet friends from different backgrounds and cultures, but it also allowed me the opportunity to get a full scholarship to receive a college education while playing Division I tennis. College tennis helped build my mental toughness, it taught me great work ethic, as well as time management.

I think the most important thing that tennis has taught me is that no matter how old I am or where I’m at in my life, when I play tennis, I am happy!

Rita Dotson – USTA Florida Board Director at Large

Tennis has been a part of my life beginning at age 14. I started playing tennis as a freshman in high school P.E. class. I had played other sports such as softball and basketball growing up, but somehow tennis hooked me! After high school, I was awarded a JUCO scholarship. I continued my education to receive a B.S. and M.S. in Health Leisure, and Sports/Sports Science.

I decided to become a certified teaching professional through PTR and USPTA and have been teaching for 25 years. I enjoy teaching all ages, levels, and abilities. I also formed Tennis-4-Everyone, a non-profit 501(c)3 which provides free tennis instruction to underserved communities.

I would not have been able to achieve these tennis successes without the support of my family. My husband has always been my biggest cheerleader; standing ready to encourage me to achieve these goals. Having his support helped me sustain a successful tennis career. I have been fortunate to be able to work part-time, while raising three children. One of my favorite quotes comes from Maya Angelou and it says, “If you want to know your place in this world: you find your path by walking it.” Tennis has opened so many doors and windows of opportunity that I never could have imagined! Walk your path!

USTA Florida has many other women leaders within the organization that we thank for their hard work and dedication towards improving Florida grassroot tennis.

• Laura Bowen – Executive Director
• Jenna Richardson – Accounting Manager
• Kelly Scalise – Sponsor and Donor Development Manager
• Lynne Salus – Meeting Planner
• Shaquona Walker – Staff Accountant
• Alexis Bonilla – Human Resources Coordinator
• Christine Ducey – Director of Adult Tennis
• Patricia Larson – Adult Tennis Associate
• Elizabeth Spicer – Youth Team Play Manager
• Kamyrn Pryce – Sr, Program Coordinator – Player Development
• Danielle Gooding – Director of Community Tennis
• Ashley Shaw – Diversity Outreach Coordinator
• Margot Carter – Director of Tennis – Riverside Racquet Complex
• Maggie Lochas – Local Youth Play Coordinator
• Estella de Paula – Local Youth Play Coordinator
• Leslie Herrion – Local Youth Play Coordinator
• Edyta Wituszynska – Local Youth Play Coordinator
• June Martin – Local Youth Play Coordinator
• Melissa Garcia – Local Youth Play Coordinator
• Megan Frederick – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Ashley Miller – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Liz Rodgers – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Janine Dennis – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Julia Frazier – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Erin McNichol – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Trish DiPalo – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Kimberly Royal – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Donna Kass – Local Adult Play Coordinator
• Maria Miro – Local Adult Play Coordinator