Officials Inclusion Council
OIC Background
The Officials Inclusion Council (OIC) was started in 2009. It consists of approximately 20 individuals, all certified tennis officials, selected by the National Staff as well as Sectional Chairs from all USTA Sections. It reflects a balanced mix of professional and grassroots officials with a wide range of demographics.
Established three (3) sub-councils each with two co-chairs and serving members: each sub-council has its own unique mission statement:
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Recruitment, Development, and Retention |
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Culture and Environment |
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Communications |
OIC Mission Statement
The OIC exists to: Support the mission of the USTA: "To promote and develop the growth of tennis." Help foster and implement the USTA's core values and strategies for diversity and inclusion. Contribute to creating an environment that is respectful and supportive of all officials
OIC Members & Sections
Caribbean: Addy A. Medina, Ricardo Núñez-Bentz
Eastern: Eric Richburg
Florida: Tony Dennis
Intermountain: Antonio Zavalablanco
Mid-Atlantic: Ricardo Durham
Middle States: Jeremy Dabbeekeh, Melissa Jackson
Midwest: Peter Chen
Missouri Valley: Kim Kilgore, Verne Weber
New England: Beverly Kris Jaeger
Northern: Vyaschar Mohan
Northern California: Carol Kim, John Wong
Southern: Donna Bailey, Jamey Davis
Southern California: Anthony Montero
Texas: Gloria Dial
OIC Accomplishments through March 2011
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Implemented Suggestion Box program for officials at events and schools around the |
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country, to achieve a better understanding of officials’ needs and interests |
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Effected a higher ratio of American officials at the 2010 U.S. Open |
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Provided separate-gender locker rooms for officials at the 2010 U.S. Open |
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Attended annual National Association of Sports Officiating Summit |
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Designed and managed an Officials’ Recruitment Booth at the 2010 U.S. Open and 2011 |
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Indian Wells. |
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Worked with USTA to revise and update officiating recruitment brochure |
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Translated provisional exam and recruitment brochure into Spanish |
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Began development of Line Coaching and Chair Coaching program for Summer 2011 |
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Uploaded Council information to a new OIC section on the USTA website |
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Realized greater transparency of officiating assignments and more open communication at |
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national level |
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Identified opportunities for improvement and areas of service in accordance with our |
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mission |
OIC Collaborative and Inclusive Commitment to Officiating Community
-We welcome suggestions, input and ideas from all certified officials
-How can officiating improve for you and others?
-How can USTA officiating be more inclusive?
-How can the OIC serve you better?
-Requests and suggestions will be reviewed, responded to, and evaluated for action and policy
Contact Information
Questions and suggestions can be sent to: OIC.Communications@usta.com